In Ireland’s competitive business landscape, small business owners often find themselves trapped in a cycle of operational firefighting. While 70% of SME owners report working over 50 hours weekly on day-to-day operations, only 12% dedicate sufficient time to strategic planning that drives sustainable growth.

 

The Real Cost of DIY Management

The statistics paint a compelling picture:

According to Enterprise Ireland, businesses with external coaching support grow 2.5 times faster than those without. Despite this, only 22% of Irish small business owners currently engage with business coaches, with 68% citing cost concerns as the primary barrier.

What many fail to recognise is the opportunity cost. A 2023 study by the Small Firms Association found that businesses implementing structured systems and processes through coaching reported:

• 34% increase in productivity
• 46% reduction in owner work hours
• 29% higher profitability within 12 months
• 41% improvement in staff retention rates

 

From Expense to Investment

The numbers speak volumes about the return on investment. While the average business coaching programme in Ireland costs €5,000-€8,000 annually, businesses typically recoup this investment within 4-6 months through improved processes and freed capacity.

A Dublin Chamber of Commerce survey revealed that coached businesses reported an average €3.20 return for every €1 invested in business coaching. Furthermore, 76% of business owners working with coaches reported significant reductions in stress levels and improved work-life balance.

 

Systems: The Missing Piece

What separates struggling businesses from thriving ones? Systems. Every successful enterprise—from multinational corporations to high-growth SMEs—operates on proven, repeatable systems rather than owner dependence.

By implementing such systems, 83% of coached businesses established clear succession plans, compared to just 24% of uncoached businesses. This systematisation doesn’t just improve current operations—it builds transferable value, with coached businesses commanding 2.4 times higher valuations when sold.

 

Accountability: The Catalyst for Change

Perhaps most significantly, 91% of business owners report that the accountability provided by coaching was instrumental in implementing changes they had “known they needed to make for years.”

The Irish Management Institute found that business owners with regular coaching accountability were 3.6 times more likely to fully implement strategic initiatives compared to those without external support.

 

The Way Forward

For the 78% of Irish small business owners currently operating without coaching support, the question isn’t whether they can afford coaching—it’s whether they can afford to continue without it.

When factoring in the opportunity cost of stagnant growth, ongoing stress, and diminished exit value, coaching represents not an expense but rather an investment with demonstrable returns.

The path to strategic focus, reduced stress, financial independence, and an eventual exit strategy starts with investing in yourself and embracing accountability. The systems and frameworks that have empowered countless businesses are accessible—but only to those willing to make that initial investment in their future success.