Has this happened to you? You check out someone's credentials, check out their reputation, check out their education and expertise, even get a referral from a friend, and then use their services and its all wrong for you? Choosing a service provider -- coach, therapist, trainer, accountant, lawyer, physician, teacher -- is one of
most important things you do. If its been a disaster for you in past, here's what you can do differently: use your intuition.
Intuition is a top emotional intelligence (EQ) skill. We all want more of it, and way you develop it is to use it, so start now! We'll assume you're looking on Internet, but same strategy can apply if you're looking in person.
1. Go to person's website and open your senses to your reactions. Do you like colors? Colors have a real vibrational effect on us. The person chooses them for a reason (though it may not be conscious), and you'll react to them for a reason (your job here is to get it conscious). Do they appeal to you or not? Simply register your reaction.
2. How's layout and navigation? Is it intuitively in line with how you look at things, how you think, and how you like to get around. It will tell you how creator's mind works, and since you'll be working with them, that's important.
A different spin would be if you're looking to develop something you don't have. For instance, if you're left-brained and trying to develop your intuition, creativity and right-brain. In this case look for a site that seems "disorganized" and "scattered" and even "alarmingly original" to you. Right-brained, creative people think holistically, not linearly, and it takes one to teach one. The more it irritates you, more you need what they have to offer!
3. What's ratio of "about you," "about me," and "about information." This ratio will probably hold true in delivery of their services. If person is all about him- or herself, that should tell you something.
4. Is it about feelings or intellect? Look for some balance there. Even if you're looking for an accountant, it's got to be someone who's able to connect and relate to you. You don't want HIS or HER financial plan, or one they give to everyone; you wants YOURS.
5. Does website show some evidence of abstract and conceptual thinking? This is important because you need someone who can get to big picture. With a coach, for instance, if their background is marketing, and you want coaching on your job as an engineer, it can work out fine if coach is able to get to fundamentals of work in general--the things that apply to all jobs--even though they've never been an engineer.
6. Pay attention to level of "correctness" on site. You want a service provider who's fixated on perfection, but who pays attention to you and gives you excellent service. Their website should project this. If it's full of typos and grammatical errors, misspellings and incomplete sentences, note this and see if you want to be treated in this careless fashion.
7. Sterility and cookie cutter. There's a difference between "professional" and "sterile." Again, register your reactions. For instance, if you're shopping for a coach and want one to help you specifically to help you make a personal budget, you may want someone who's very linear and precise. If, however, you want a coach to help you create life of your dreams, you need to be looking for a coach who has created a website that lives, breathes, and excudes "vision." (Check out http://www.bemyguide.net/ for a good example)
8. Call provider and listen to voices. If its an answering machine, does voice appeal to you? You'll be working with that voice. If its a receptionist, are they cordial, informed and welcoming? Were you brusquely put on hold? Did they sound too busy to give you adequate attention? Were they in a rush about something?
