Being trained in coaching skills is first step and real learning comes from experiencing coaching for yourself personally and coaching others. Therefore, it's important that you don't just get trained in basic coaching skills and leave it there. There needs to be a supportive structure and environment for you to continue with your coaching. How often have you learned something new, only to find when you're back in workplace that you've only retained a little of it? Or that you're facing obstacles you don't know how to overcome? Managers need their own fully experienced coach to continue working with them after their initial training. This is where they'll dramatically improve their ability to coach and have confidence in themselves as coaches.

Training your managers in coaching skills doesn't have to be done all at once and overnight. You can choose to start in a small way perhaps with only a couple of managers and as you experience results, build on this. As you start thinking about training for your managers, I suggest you first find out what your managers really need to be effective; what they already know about coaching; what more they need to know and which of them already has a keen interest in learning to coach. Asking these questions of your managers will give you a clearer picture of what's needed. This may involve some time and commitment now, but it will ensure they get training they most need. Knowing your company as you do, what's most important action you can take today that will move your managers closer to being coaches?

Wendy Hearn - Business Coach

5. Make sure you have a good anti virus software installed on your computer and set up to scan your incoming emails. You will see an active icon in lower right hand corner near clock, this will let you see each incoming email is being scanned. If an email is detected select delete infected source. This will keep your computer safe while still allowing you to see who sent email. People don’t often realize they have just sent out an infected email. If it is a friend or colleague who sent it you can call and let them know they have a problem before they send other infected email.

6. Make sure to back up your computer at least once a week. Your organized email folders contain a wealth of useful information and resources and are a valuable asset to your career so make sure to protect them and rest of your files by backing up your computer. Sort your email folders once a quarter. Go through your saved emails and delete things that are no longer useful. When I am working on a project it has an active folder with all of notes, emails, and resources associated with it. When project is complete I sort through these emails and keep only most important emails and resources. I can easily sort through and locate email address of colleagues and business contacts for an occasional follow up.

7. Review your email before sending. Check it for formatting, spelling, clarity, and effective communication. If you are asking someone a few questions make then obvious and succinct so they can easily respond without wading through a four page email.