How to spot a scam
Coaching is a relatively new industry and unregulated.
If you are looking at becoming a coach, and want to become credentialed as a coach – make sure you look carefully at the company who is offering the credentialing.
Most coaches are independent and do not belong to a singular brand. If you call the credentialing organization – ask them about how they handle complaints about a coach. If they answer – we have nothing to do with our coaches once they are certified – you need to question the value of the credential.
Generally speaking the longer the company has been around, the depth and breadth of its network, the testimonials of coaches is very important when considering training as a coach.
Another very important factor is the amount of ongoing training provided and whether the training includes both skills to be a coach, but also how to run a successful coaching business.
Important considerations:
• The length of the initial training
• The amount of ongoing training
• How complaints, if any with coaches are handled
• The number of coaches in the network
• The time the company has been around
• References from coaches
• Local support (do I have to deal with people on another timezone?)