Management coaches need to keep up with the times and learn how to coach in a flat world. A flat world, you ask, what is that? A flat world is a metaphor for globalization and the leveling of the international business playing field. The book, The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, by Thomas Friedman, analyzes the causes of globalization and what the United States can do to remain competitive. Though there were many critics of Friedman’s book, it is evident that some level of globalization has become part of the world’s economy, and managers need to learn how to manage in a flattened world. This is where savvy management coaches will be needed.

Management Coaches for a Flat World Needed

With vigorous international competition high and an increasingly complex economic environment, astute and perceptive management coaches who understand the elements of a flat world will be in demand. To place yourself in a position to meet this explosive demand, you will need to understand what a flat world management coach can offer to managers and executive level corporate management struggling to find their way in this new economic world order.

Coaching Flat World Managers

1. The first step to achieving results in any environment is to accept that environment. Managers will need to become comfortable in the new flat world and, not only learn to accept it, but to embrace it. That is your job – get them to love the flat world!
2. It’s the technology, stupid! Even crusty old executives are comfortable using a computer, but many people remain reticent when it comes to the ever-changing world of technology. The technological revolution continues unabated and new digital devices, software programs, social media sites, online communities, and communication networks are popping up every day. Teaching these crusty old executives and their up and coming replacements how to comfortably use and profit from this non-stop technological revolution will be a job for well-positioned management coaches.
3. In a global environment, it will be crucial for international companies to develop some type of bond between the various segments of a large company. Effective managers should be able to effectively use technology and good old-fashioned people skills to create this bond. Once again, teaching them how to do this will be your job!
4. We are the same, we are different. Though the world has become flatter and western culture has invaded even the most remote areas of the globe, culture still matters. In many ways people want the same things – peace, some level of prosperity, family, faith – these things are universal. However, cultural differences still exist and managers not only need to recognize the similarities, they also need to recognize and embrace the differences. Another job for a expert and talented management expert.
5. Changing the culture? Though it is vital to understand a culture in which you will be marketing products, it is possible to change cultural attitudes. In the United States, it is common for people to sit down for breakfast and have a bowl of milk-drenched cereal, but that may not be a familiar scene in other countries. A cereal distributor that wants to expand their global reach will need to develop marketing strategies to enter these foreign markets. Flat world management and executive coaches will need to fully comprehend the juxtaposition of marketing and culture and then apply that to global marketing efforts. Then you, the management expert, will coach your clients and turn them into first-class international marketers!

Looking for a niche in the coaching world? Flat world management coaches may turn into one hot, in-demand coaching niches. There is no doubt it will be an exciting and dynamic segment of the coaching industry!

By the way… you’re invited to claim your FREE step-by-step “Life Coaching Business Blueprint” video toolkit. Just go HERE now to get your life coaching business blueprint videos.

Fred Philips
Business Coach
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