If your business has hit a plateau — your revenue has stopped growing or, worse, it has decreased — a coach can provide a neutral perspective to help you get your business back on track, says April-Lynn Levitt, coach with the Personal Coach in Oakville, Ont.

A coach can help you “see the forest for the trees,” adds Sara Gilbert, founder of Strategist Business Development in Montreal. By observing your business objectively, a coach can help you identify the habits and practices that are holding you back.

Finding a good coach, however, can be a challenge, especially considering that the coaching industry is not regulated. Anyone can call themselves a “coach,” Levitt says, so finding the right fit can be a challenge.

Here are three tips on finding the best coach for your business:

1. Identify your needs
First, distinguish whether you’re looking for a coach, a consultant or a combination of the two.

“A coach is someone who guides you through the process of finding your own solution to what’s getting in the way,” Levitt says.

A consultant, on the other hand, is someone you hire to provide a solution for you. Working with a consultant is less a collaborative process. Many coaches do, however, use resources that are similar to those of a consultant. So, be sure to ask prospective coaches about their particular approach.

Narrow down exactly what type of coach you’re looking for before you begin your search, Gilbert adds. The market is inundated with coaches ranging from personal life coaches to leadership coaches and sales coaches.

2. Seek referrals
One of the best ways to find a coach is through a trusted colleague, Levitt says. If your mentor has found great success with a coach, there’s a good chance that you will, too.

If you’re short on referrals, you can also approach a coach and ask if he or she has any clients with similar challenges to yours who could speak on the coach’s behalf. Look for success stories, Gilbert adds. You’ll want to hear specifically how an advisor has streamlined his or her processes or grown their client base.

3. Sample the coach’s service
You should meet at least three to five coaches before making a decision, Gilbert says.

Most coaches will give complimentary consultations by phone, Levitt adds. Or, you can scope out coaches at industry events. When you’re at a conference, try to attend a few sessions led by coaches to learn about their areas of expertise and communication styles.

This is the first part in a two-part series on finding a coach. Next: Questions to ask a prospective coach.