Small Business Coaching That Protects Your Investment in Entrepreneurs
Partner with Systems Business Coach so every funded entrepreneur has the skills, systems and support to build a sustainable Business.
Why loans alone are not enough
Across Canada, new business owners often face gaps in skills, systems and support. These gaps affect long term stability, regardless of industry or background.
Many entrepreneurs also encounter systemic or structural barriers that make early stage business development more challenging. Loan programs are essential, yet only about half of new small businesses remain open after five years.
Owners who receive capital without the practical tools to manage cash flow, operations, pricing and team capacity often struggle to maintain momentum.
Capital is essential. When paired with coaching and systems, it leads to stronger outcomes.
A solution that strengthens your current programs
The Small Business Coach Training Business Development Program builds the capacity of agencies that deliver loans, grants and advisory support.
We give your staff and partners a clear coaching method and shared structure that strengthens the support around each funded business while you retain full ownership of relationships and outcomes.
WHAT THE PROGRAM PROVIDES
Training for advisors, loan officers and partner staff in the Systems Business Coach method
A shared framework built on 52 business competencies grounded in real small business practice
Practical tools for structured coaching, goal setting and progress tracking
A coaching approach that builds clarity, confidence and autonomous decision making in each business owner
How it works across your ecosystem
1.
Train your people as small business coaches
Your loan officers, business advisors and program staff complete Small Business Coach Training, aligned with ICF Core Competencies and grounded in real small business practice.
They learn how to use coaching, questioning and structured tools in every client conversation, instead of defaulting to advice, forms and compliance.
2.
Embed the 52 competencies in your support model
Each business is assessed against the 52 competencies.
Together, the coach and entrepreneur create a practical action plan, from cash flow basics to team hiring, marketing systems, operations and leadership.
Progress is tracked over time using simple tools that fit the realities of busy owners.
3.
Offer group learning and one to one coaching
Group learning sessions introduce systems and tools in a cost effective way.
Individual coaching provides safe space to apply the learning to each owner’s context, including additional barriers related to disability, gender, culture, rural location or life stage.
4.
Build a network of Certified Systems Business Coach® practitioners
Over time your agency can develop an internal network of trained, certified coaches and partner practitioners across your ecosystem.
This creates continuity, shared standards and a sustainable coaching culture that lasts beyond any single funding cycle.
Outcomes you can expect
- Clarity about how their business actually works and where money is made or lost.
- Practical systems for cash flow, pricing, operations and team management.
- Increased confidence as leaders and employers, not only as loan recipients.
- Better prepared businesses that are more resilient and more likely to stay open.
- Entrepreneurs make decisions based on cash flow and systems, so loan funds are used more strategically.
- Higher quality business plans and implementation, grounded in real world operations.
- Stronger repayment performance over time, fewer defaults and restructures.
- Better data on what is changing in the businesses you support, beyond basic financial statements.
- A clear, evidence informed method for strengthening small businesses, rather than a collection of unconnected workshops.
- A shared language across staff and partner organizations for talking about small business health.
- Demonstrable impact to report back to funders, community leaders and government.
- A scalable way to democratize small business coaching, so support is not limited to a privileged few.
Trusted By:
What is the Small Business Coach Training Business Development Program?
This program is a business development and coaching capacity building solution designed for government funded economic development agencies, non profit business support organizations, and the loan officers, program managers and advisors who work directly with small business clients.
AT THE CORE IS THE SYSTEMS BUSINESS COACH® METHOD, BUILT ON:
A coach approach, so entrepreneurs feel seen, heard and respected as capable decision makers.
Systems thinking, so owners build repeatable processes instead of relying on heroic effort
Appreciative inquiry, so strengths, culture and community assets are honoured and expanded.
52 core business competencies outlined in our Successful Business Field Guide, spanning leadership, operations, finance, team and marketing.
This becomes your shared business coaching ontology. Every advisor, coach and loan officer speaks the same language and works from the same map.
Built to complement your existing programs
This approach fits naturally into loan funds, wraparound supports, training programs and partnerships already serving diverse entrepreneurs.
You can train internal teams, license curriculum for partners or integrate the method into new program proposals.
Built to complement your existing programs
We recognize that each agency and organization has its own governance, funding and delivery model. Together we can design a partnership that fits, including options such as:
Internal capacity building
Train your internal teams and designated partners to become Certified Systems Business Coach® practitioners.
Licensed curriculum for partner organizations
License the 52 core competencies and supporting tools so local organizations can deliver programs directly to their communities, with our training and quality assurance.
Pilot projects focused on loan performance and business resilience
Co design a pilot that tracks changes in business resilience, employment and loan repayment for a specific cohort of small business clients.
Next step
You want every investment in entrepreneurs to translate into strong businesses, resilient communities and lasting economic impact. We help your programs deliver that outcome with clarity and structure.
Book a Call
Schedule a confidential discussion about how this program can support your loan and development work.
Request a program overview
Receive a detailed PDF with curriculum, delivery options and sample outcomes.
Proven with partners across Canada and Europe
Systems Business Coach® programs are used by economic development leaders, Community Futures organisations and NGOs across Europe. These partnerships demonstrate that your agency can confidently align with a proven coaching method that strengthens small businesses and improves loan outcomes at scale.
