What to Expect in Your First 90 Days with a Business Coach in Auckland

by Sean Foster | July 22, 2025 | Business Coaching

Starting to work with a business coach can feel exciting, hopeful, and-let's be honest-a little intimidating. If you’re an Auckland business owner wondering what working with a business coach involves, this guide will walk you through what to expect in your first 90 days.

Whether you’re a start-up founder, a seasoned entrepreneur, or managing a SME, the first three months with a coach can set the tone for transformational change.

Related Article: 6 fundamental steps to 90-day planning

Why Business Coaching in Auckland?

Running a business, in Auckland, or in fact anywhere in New Zealand, involves risk!. With thousands of businesses vying for market share, having a business coach can help you better navigate that risk. Some of the key areas of focus should include:

• Sharpen your business strategy
• Improve decision-making
• Build leadership skills
• Stay accountable to your goals

The First 30 Days: Discovery and Clarity

The first 30 days is where you set up the foundation for the months ahead. Your journey typically begins with:

1. Initial Consultation

A formal discussion to understand your business, challenges, and objectives. Speaking from experience, I have found that very often the business owner has a clear idea of what these are at the outset of the meeting, but within the first hour these objectives change. A good business coach will challenge some of the paradigms and beliefs that you hold to ensure that they are soundly routed and will in fact lead you to what you are ultimately after.

2. Goal-Setting Sessions

Defining your personal and business goals in clear, measurable terms. Part of this process is also digging into what are your values, i.e. what is really important to you besides the day-to-day hard goals you may be holding onto.

3. Business Assessment

Reviewing your current operations, financials, team dynamics, and market positioning. Here the business coach and you need to get a clearer idea on what is, and is not working. And of these, which ones are important to hold onto or to fix in the short term..

4. Mindset Alignment

Identifying any limiting beliefs or obstacles holding you back.

By the end of the first month, you’ll have a clearer sense of direction and an action plan tailored to your specific needs.

Days 31-60: Strategy and Action

This is where things start to get implemented. I have often found that the first month is a little less efficient than the subsequent months as both parties work through the ‘norming and forming’ phase, and old behaviours and routines that tend to continually resurface need to be managed. Expect your coach to help you:

1. Refining Your Business Plan

Tweak strategies based on early insights.

2. Implement Quick Wins

Identify small changes that yield immediate results (e.g., pricing adjustments, process tweaks).

3. Improve Leadership & Team Engagement

Coaching may include communication tips, conflict management, or staff development plans.

4. Track Key Metrics

Start measuring the impact of your new actions on business performance.

Days 61-90: Momentum and Results

As you approach the 90-day mark, your coach will focus on:

1. Reviewing Progress

Assessing wins, challenges, and course-correcting as needed.

2. Scaling Efforts

For most situations, scaling in the true sense can usually only take place 6 to 12 months later, as it takes time to make corrections and in bed new behaviours, but for some this could start in the 3rd month simply as a result of the renewed focus.

3. Embedding Habits

This starts first with the business owner and senior management team, who need to be seen as fully encompassing and living the new habits and behaviours. This does take time to embed, it is not just a mental or verbal commitment. This also requires an openness to learn and to experiment as well as a good dose of being open to self reflection.

After the senior team can show consistency of these new habits, then, and only then do we need to start filtering these down to the rest of the team.

4. Measuring ROI

Looking at tangible outcomes like increased revenue, improved team performance, or reduced stress. The measures used to track progress is highly business-dependant and must be developed in collaboration with those that directly influence them.

Related Article: Why 90-Day Plans Trump Traditional Strategies in Business Success

Common Questions About Business Coaching in Auckland

How often will I meet with my coach?

Most coaches offer fortnightly or monthly sessions, with additional email or phone support as needed.

Is coaching only for struggling businesses?

Not at all. Many successful business owners use coaching to stay ahead of the curve, grow faster, and avoid burnout.

How do I find the right coach near me?

First of all, look for someone with a coaching style that resonates with you. But ensure you are not looking for another ‘best-buddy’. Your ideal match may be someone who is very different to who you normally socialize with. Look for someone who you believe you can trust, will call you up if you are not playing to your best, and someone who is willing to challenge your opinions and thinking process.

Final Thoughts: Why the First 90 Days Matter

The first 90 days set the foundation for long-term success. With the right business coaching in Auckland, you can:

• Gain focus and clarity
• Make smarter decisions
• Accelerate growth
• Enjoy better work-life balance

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to find the right business coach in Auckland and start your transformation today. Bare in mind that the first 90-days are very important to not only show results but to give both yourself and your coach the opportunity to amend behaviours. Behaviours are by their very nature more ‘fixed’ and take time to both recognize and to change.