Rising Executive Trades Job Security for New Business

For 20 years, Georganne Ford rose through the ranks at one of the largest and most trusted school photography companies in the industry. Two decades in, she was managing one of their bigger territories and had the opportunity to climb the next rung on the executive ladder.

“I thought this was where I would remain for the rest of my career,” Ford, of Northampton Township, said. “At the same time, I found I had a passion growing to take my knowledge, skills, and capabilities outside of the company environment where I was successful with the same principle of making a memorable impact on people’s lives. I decided I would regret not following this new passion.”

Not sure where to begin, Ford, after leaving her job in the summer of 2013, immersed herself in business coaching.

Soon after Ford’s own coach helped to guide her next career move, she founded By George Coaching/Consulting and became an accredited leadership and personal development coach through the Coach Training Institute, a leader in the coaching industry, and a member with the International Coach Federation. Later she also obtained certification to teach the Book Yourself Solid® System by Michael Port.

“I felt like I had a plenty of life experience to bring to my coaching work!” Ford said. “We’re always in the process of continued growth and there is always room for improvement.”

With 2016 in sight, Ford is helping small business owners, private clients, and organizations make good on business improvement New Year’s resolutions with an intent to focus her clients on a higher level of performance in their businesses and lives. In January she will begin offering a variety of business, career, and personal development workshops and coaching packages.

What is coaching?

Coaching is an action oriented-process that focuses on the present rather than the past. The process facilitates growth and helps unleash a client’s potential to perform at their peak. Coaching can take on many types and forms, from leadership, sales, to career and personal development. Ultimately, the goal is to help a client become accountable, develop an action plan, take challenges and reach their objectives. The client is seen as the expert. The coach’s job is to elicit client-generated solutions and strategies.

“It’s about identifying what is most important to us and identifying the barriers to our success,” Ford said. “People do not often say ‘I’m looking for personal coaching.’ Instead they may say, ‘I really hate my job, I am ready for a new career, or I don’t know what type of job I want, I have always wanted to start my own business, write my own book, change my lifestyle for better health.’ ”

Some people hire a coach for a specific project or goal they wish to accomplish and may work with a coach for six to nine months. Often people will continue with a coach for a longer period of time after seeing the value coaching can bring to other parts of their business and lives.

Ford likens business and leadership coaching to the coaching an athlete seeks from a personal trainer.

“An athlete is already an athlete. They are skilled,” she said. “They hire a personal trainer to increase their abilities to get them to a higher level of performance.”

Tips for succeeding in coaching

1. Be ready to be honest and willing to experiment

2. Be ready to identify what you tolerate and zaps your energy

3. Develop your thinking, visioning, and planning

4. Allow yourself to be challenged and be willing to accept discomfort

5. Follow through on any accepted assignments from your coach

To learn more

Georganne Ford, founder and president of By George Coaching is offering a Visioning and Goal Setting workshop on Jan. 15; a Book Yourself Solid 8-week Boot Camp aimed at helping businesses Get more Clients starting Jan. 18; a Performance Driven Thinking First Time Offered Mastermind Group for business executive professionals on Jan. 28; and 90-minute targeted topic coaching strategy sessions for business, career and personal development are now offered. To register for any of these events, inquire about customized seminars or workshops for your organization, or obtain more information, visit www.bygeorgecoaching.com.