Professional coaching is transforming small business leadership in B.C.

As workplaces evolve, and the meaning of health and wellbeing becomes more comprehensive, so too do employee benefits. Professional coaching is one such employee benefit that may be overlooked but can have a resounding impact on small and medium-sized business owners.

The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan (Chambers Plan) is a not-for-profit benefits solution designed for businesses with as few as one to over 50 employees. In addition to traditional health, dental, disability and wellness coverage, Chambers Plan offers professional workplace coaching, delivered in partnership with Arcora, a Canadian corporate coaching company.

Chambers Plan is bringing this strategic support to more B.C. businesses to strengthen leadership, performance and resilience.

What is professional coaching?

Coaching is an evidence-based business tool that complements traditional benefits with one-on-one guidance from a certified professional to help leaders manage pressure, reduce burnout and sustain productivity.

“A good metaphor we always use is a sports coach,” says Makenzie Chilton, a career coach with Arcora. “It’s there not only if people are having issues, but to support people to achieve their goals… It helps people think better, decide faster and take more intentional actions.”

A professional coach won’t tell you what to do, as consulting or therapy might, but they foster a goal-focused partnership to help people make those decisions.

“I’m a proponent that everybody should get coaching,” says Chilton. Executives and new managers can benefit from coaching to develop their professional skills, such as managing a team. “Coaching is industry agnostic, so I don’t care if you’re from mining or if you’re from telecom,” she continues. “Coaches can come up with creative solutions because they’re not tunnel visioned on one specific industry.”

With over 33,000 businesses across Canada with the Chambers Plan, more small business leaders are taking advantage of the power of professional coaching. “It really is a way for Chamber Plan, and us as a provider, to support business owners across Canada,” says Chilton.

A lever for long-term success

Coaching is proven to enhance workplace performance, decision-making and developing people skills. According to the International Coaching Federation, 70 percent of clients noted that coaching improved their performance and communication skills, while 80 percent noted an improvement in self-confidence.

“From an owner’s perspective, we’re seeing shifts in engagement and retention,” explains Chilton. “From a coachee’s perspective, they’re saying things like, ‘Oh, I feel valued by my employer to get this added benefit, and they really care about my professional development.’” In turn, this leads to reduced burnout and absenteeism.

“The benefit space is a way to attract A-players to your company,” she says. “Often companies really focus on investing in their tech or product, and miss investing in their people in a specific, measurable way… That’s where coaching stands out as quite a differentiator.”

Chambers Plan makes this more accessible to small- and medium-sized B.C. businesses as part of its Business Assistance Services (BAS), wherein it provides three coaching sessions per year for leaders. “Three sessions are enough to see a little bit of change and really support those businesses that might not be able to make the investment,” Chilton says. According to Arcora’s 2024 annual client reported outcomes findings, 93 percent of BAS clients were satisfied with the services and would access them again.

And leaders are taking note of the ROI.  Every $1 invested in coaching leads to a $7 ROI with Arcora. “We’re seeing really high engagement and utilization for those who do sign up,” she says. “And then, oftentimes, they’re buying more sessions for themselves or their team because they’re seeing the impact.”

Wellbeing benefits encompass so much more than just dental and vision. Invest in modern solutions for today’s workforce challenges with Chambers Plan. Learn more at chamberplan.ca.

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