Survey: U.S. Business Coaches `Cautiously Optimistic' on Economic Recovery

By: The Growth Coach | 0 Shares 103 Reads

The Growth Coach Franchise System `Business Barometer' Indicates Subtle Signs of Uptick

October 02, 2009 // Franchising.com // CINCINNATI, OH – A random survey of small business coaches across the country reveals that 60 percent of those surveyed agree with economists that the recession is rapidly coming to an end, overall expressing a "cautiously optimistic" approach to economic recovery.

The survey was conducted by The Growth Coach, the only pure business coaching franchise system with the single purpose of helping drive the success and balance the lives of small business owners. The Growth Coach has a presence in more than 150 markets across North America and serves several thousand small business clients a year.

While the majority (60%) of the 40 percent of The Growth Coach franchise owners who responded to the survey felt an economic uptick is imminent in the near future, about 30 percent of respondents said they believe the recession will continue for at least another six months. The Growth Coach respondents based their opinions about the economy primarily on the feedback, attitudes, and actual experiences of the small business owners they regularly coach in their communities.

In another economic indicator separate from the survey, the number of franchise applications for local ownership of The Growth Coach increased in July by a whopping 72 percent. Executives of The Growth Coach franchise system said they believe that more Americans are getting comfortable taking calculated risks, controlling their futures, and choosing the path of business ownership. They are seeking greater economic security and fulfillment. This belief appears to reflect reports from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which recently announced a steady rise in self-employed individuals as more people became unemployed from corporate America cutbacks and closings.

"The recession has impacted this country in many different ways, and one result we are starting to see on the positive side is that more people are deciding to take control of their own destinies by opening their own businesses, particularly through the franchise model," said Dan Murphy, president and founder of The Growth Coach. "We've seen a jump in franchise applications at The Growth Coach, and I know of other home-based, low-costs franchise systems that are seeing similar trends. We've seen people who have been through multiple layoffs and downsizings, and they're deciding to make changes that put them more in control of their own economic conditions and security by becoming a part of nationally recognized franchise brands. After all, business owners don't get fired or downsized."

All told, business coaching has exploded into a $3 billion industry, as business owners increasingly seek professionals to help them boost financial profits and reach personal fulfillment, particularly in a tough economy. Now, as the evolution of business coaching has morphed from a sea of independents into a franchise model with only a few national players, The Growth Coach® is quickly emerging as a leading franchise player, boasting a presence in 150 markets – coaching thousands of business owners throughout North America with its trademarked, proven, and money-back guaranteed coaching process. The Growth Coach defines business coaching as the art and science of guiding entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles and limitations that keep them from reaching optimal success in business, and in life.

As the world's fastest growing business coaching franchise system, The Growth Coach has launched aggressive expansion plans to increase its system to 350 locations within the next five years. The Growth Coach is utilizing its signature group coaching process, as well as one-on-one coaching, tele-coaching, and other related services, to enable business owners to "fall back in love" with their companies. This pure coaching franchise, the only one of its kind, is on a mission to help small business owners, self-employed, professionals, franchisees, and others examine their current status within their business and life, and develop a road map to get where they want to go. Then accountability is provided to keep them on track and make adjustments as necessary on an on-going, year-round basis.

About The Growth Coach

Founded in 2002, The Growth Coach is the only pure business coaching franchise system with the single purpose of helping drive the success and balance the lives of business owners. Their goal is to help clients gain greater focus so they can work less, earn more and enjoy more fulfilling lives. Clients include small business owners, franchisees, self-employed professionals, high-end sales and financial services professionals and managers from businesses of all size. Through an expanding national accounts program, The Growth Coach serves franchise systems, dealer networks and associations. With a presence in more than 150 markets across North America, The Growth Coach encourages diversity within its franchise system, as well as the development of small business and franchising worldwide. Currently, The Growth Coach is a member and/or affiliated with the following professional organizations: International Franchise Association, SBA Franchise Registry, VetFran, Minority Fran and is listed in Bond's Minority Franchise Guide.

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