The right coach depends on your turnover, how much hands-on help you want, and what you can afford. This guide compares four options on the same criteria, with a source for each fact.
Short answer: mentoring suits small or early businesses on a budget. Group programmes suit owners who learn from peers. One-to-one coaching suits owners who want a plan built around their own business. Government co-funding may cover part of the cost for eligible businesses.
Five things an SME owner can check before signing: who it is designed for, what it covers, what evidence of results is published, what it costs and how it can be funded, and how it is delivered.
| Option | Designed for | Format and length | Cost and funding (as published) | Evidence published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActionCOACH | Owners wanting a franchise-network coach | One-to-one coaching through local franchisees; the network says it began in 1993 and operates in 70+ countries (directory listing, confirm on actioncoach.com) | Not published on the sources checked | Network size; individual results vary by coach, so ask for references |
| Business Mentors New Zealand | Small businesses, start-ups and social enterprises | Matched with one of 1,800+ mentors, in person or virtual, up to 12 months | $295 + GST registration fee; mentors gift their time | Mentor numbers only |
| The Icehouse | Owners with annual turnover above $3M (Owner Manager Programme) | Five three-day blocks over five months plus a follow-up workshop, as described on its programme page | Not stated on the page | Icehouse reports an NPS of 86 and 1,000+ owners through the programme |
| Simple-Growth | Ambitious owner-led SMEs, any industry | One-to-one coaching, online or in Auckland; online programmes | Typically $5,000 to $10,000 for one-to-one coaching, higher for intensive advisory work; exact pricing after a free 30-minute discovery call. Eligible NZ businesses may receive up to 50% of one-to-one coaching fees through RBP co-funding | 200+ businesses coached one-on-one; NPS +72, based on feedback from multiple coaching clients surveyed through The Icehouse |
Other specialist types are worth knowing: independent sales coaches, marketing specialists, industry-specific coaches and peer advisory groups. Ask any of them for named references and what is and is not included.
Often, yes. The Regional Business Partner Network co-funds part of the cost of approved coaching and training through the Management Capability Development Fund: eligible New Zealand businesses may receive up to 50% of the fee for one-to-one coaching, and up to 75% for one-to-some (group) programmes. Eligibility, funding availability and conditions apply, and you start with a discovery session with a Regional Business Partner growth advisor. Simple-Growth is an approved Regional Business Partner provider. How co-funding works with Simple-Growth.
One-to-one business coaching with Simple-Growth is typically $5,000 to $10,000, and higher for intensive advisory work. A free 30-minute discovery call gives you accurate pricing. See how much a business coach costs.
It is worth it if the improvement it creates is worth more than the fee. Work out your break-even first: if a programme costs $10,000 and your gross margin is 40%, you need about $25,000 of extra sales to cover it ($10,000 divided by 0.40). Ask any provider how clients measured their results.
A coach helps you decide and act, a mentor shares experience, and a consultant or advisor gives direct recommendations. Our business coach vs consultant guide explains when each fits.
"Kevin D'Ambros-Smith was the first coach that helped us and he was so great. He understood the business straightaway, was able to identify some of the areas where we could grow it, and some of the things to park. He was my coach when Covid kicked off. We decided to rebrand then, and put everything under one brand. With his background, I don't think the ROW branding would be nearly as strong without his input. He was just brilliant."
Sarah McGuinness
Founder & CEO, Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW)
Results depend on the business and the owner's effort.
Book a free, no-obligation 30-minute conversation with Kevin.
Book your free 30-minute discovery call