What is a Counsellor?
Much as individuals or families have problems that need sorting out occasionally (or often), businesses also occasionally need some help. In the same way that a family might go to a family counsellor or marriage counsellor, a business can use a business counsellor. But what exactly does a counsellor do for a business?
A Counsellor Gets in the Trenches
A counsellor is different from a consultant in that a consultant makes observations, writes a report, and gives advice in that report. A counsellor is more “hands-on”. While a counsellor may give advice, it will be at eye level and during an exchange of the thoughts and observations with the people involved. He may interview, listen, and give feedback as part of the common course in counselling. He may explore what is going on in the different departments of a business and suggest actions based on his observations. He may try to get a sense of what the business is striving to do and help the business explore the different paths toward doing so. If management has lost its vision and enthusiasm, the counsellor will help them restore it.
A Counsellor Bring Experience
A counsellor can be anyone with enough business expertise and experience to be able to help a business thrive. Some have degrees and some have licences as counsellors although that is not necessary for the job. Most have some training in business and good deal of experience. Because of experience, they can efficiently assess and treat the problems that a business has. This can be especially helpful with a new business. The experience of a counsellor can fast track a company past difficult trial and error learning and bring profitability to it more quickly.
A Counsellor Creates Problem-solvers
A counsellor works with a business to solve problems. Some of the common areas in which counsellors work include raising productivity levels, team-building, conflict resolution, morale, retention and other problem areas. His job is not to fix the business. His job is to help the business fully explore their problems, find their own solutions, and create support within the company for overseeing and solving problems in the future. While he may give advice along the way, counselling is more complex that just giving advice. For that one can buy a book or an audio tape. A counsellor helps a business explore its unique problems and helps them find their unique solutions.
A Counsellor Promotes Vision
A counsellor can back a new business by reviewing its business plan and marketing plan. It can help an older business by reviewing these same documents. A new business may have unrealistic or vague goals that keep them from getting a strong foothold in their industry. A counsellor is invaluable for those starting a business. He can help them create a vision and goals that are attainable and can thrive. In older businesses, the vision sometimes fades because of busyness and a company can easily lose its way. The Bible says, “Without a vision the people perish.” That certainly holds true for a business. The counsellor can help a company assess their vision, help them adjust it if necessary, and help return enthusiasm, focus, pride and spirit to a flagging company.