a)plan coaching
What is a)plan coaching?

a)plan is Coaching 2.0, the next-level offering in an industry that has grown immensely over the last 20 years. In the past, coaching was one of two distinct types: performance coaching (career based) or wellness coaching (life based), whereas a)plan takes a more holistic approach. We recognize that “work” deeply impacts “life” and vice versa – in fact, there is more overlap between the two than ever before. a)plan has built a dynamic coaching method around this reality, and we have the best coaches and tech in the industry to support it.

Are there different kinds of coaching?

Yes. The first 30 years of the professional coaching industry were dominated by sole practitioners who aggregated, in their own ways, many different training approaches, insights about performance, tools to support growth, etc. Some of the leading pioneers of the profession built unique coaching approaches, but few (if any) successfully scaled those approaches in consistent, sustainable ways.

How is a)plan better?

a)plan is better for companies and teams because we have a deep and diverse roster of coaches who utilize a consistent method across organizations of all types and sizes. We’ve worked over many years to combine insights from the most experienced coaches into a simple, accessible, and highly effective method supported by our proprietary coaching app. Our method is designed to unlock the potential of teams, regardless of the particularities of the industry or team. 

How do clients meet with coaches?

Clients meet with our coaches through the a)plan app, which offers text, audio, and video communication channels. Clients can also meet in person or over the phone. While we strongly encourage the use of our app, we are flexible in meeting the bespoke needs of our clients.

What is MAPing?

MAPing is the process of creating Multiple Action Plans, which is core to a)plan’s proprietary coaching method. Once a client determines their goals and desires, planning comes next. By developing innovative Multiple Action Plans, the coach and client craft a number of different strategies that lead the client toward their goals.

Can you coach small companies or not-for-profits?

Yes, a)plan serves organizations and teams of all sizes. Our mission is to democratize coaching. That means making coaching accessible to everyone, both in terms of cost and process.

How is a)plan different from other companies that offer coaching services?

a)plan offers a proven, consistent methodology that works. We built an app to support this method, allowing us to extend the coaching experience beyond what’s traditionally been possible. When applied at organizations, a)plan’s unified methodology, tools, and tech have been proven to amplify the power and utility of coaching.

Do you have other services?

Yes, in addition to one-on-one coaching, a)plan offers team coaching, assessments, and training.

What if organizational customers and clients have contradicting goals?

Coaching is intended to help employees determine their own goals and whether they align with those of the organization. Of the three goals that employees track in the app, we recommend organizations support employees to set at least one for themselves. While we help employees develop their goals, we cannot (and do not) force goals upon clients. Alignment is almost always attainable, but in the event an employee decides their goals do not align with those of the organization, the discovery is beneficial for everyone involved.

Are contracts flexible?

While most a)plan engagements follow our standard contract, we are flexible according to the specific needs of the company and team.

Is a)plan a marketplace?

Unlike other coaching services, a)plan is not a marketplace. With marketplace services, sole proprietor coaches bring their own methods, tools, and processes. This outdated approach fails to deliver the consistency required for true coaching scalability and results.

Is a “career coach” different from what a)plan offers?

The a)plan approach is centered around the notion that people are holistic. A person’s career cannot be decoupled from their personal life and wellness. While our coaches often help with career goals and planning, we almost always dig deeper, beyond just the workplace.

How long are engagements?

Engagements can be any length, starting at a minimum of 3 months. We recommend at least 6 months to achieve significant results, though results are often visible in as few as 3 months. The a)plan approach is intended to be ongoing, which is why some of our coaches have kept the same clients for 5+ years.

How do we know if it’s working?

Through the a)plan app and our ongoing feedback mechanisms, customers know whether the coaching is “working” within 3 months. Over time, the deeper impact of coaching becomes more outwardly apparent in ways big and small. 

How are coaches and clients matched?

Coaches and clients can be matched in two ways. Clients can look at the video profiles of our coaches on our website and select one. Or, we have a team of matchmakers that curates pairings based upon the priorities and desires of clients. Both methods are highly effective, and we have a 97% success rate in providing coaches that clients report to be “trusted and valuable partners in their growth.”

What if it’s not the right fit?

Clients can make a lateral move to another coach at any time. Thanks to the a)plan app, all data seamlessly transfers over to the new coach, so no progress tracking or historical records are lost.

How fast can we get started?

The speed of our onboarding process depends on the needs of the customer. We work hand-in-hand with the executive sponsor to create an onboarding process designed to optimize return-on-investment. This may include an initial group coaching session or introductory kickoff meeting, which can typically be set up within one week of our initial correspondence.

Is it confidential?

Our confidentiality agreement is with the end user, between coach and client. To the company, we provide aggregated and anonymous feedback that reflects trends and insights related to the team or organization. 

What is the security level/certifications for the app, data, and website?

The a)plan app and dashboard are built on Google’s mobile platform, Firebase. All of the Firebase services we use have successfully completed the ISO 27001 and SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 evaluation process, and some have also completed the ISO 27017 and ISO 27018 certification process. Firebase services also encrypt data in transit using HTTPS, logically isolate customer data, encrypt data at rest, and allow for 2-factor authentication login security.

What does team coaching add to One-on-One coaching?

Team coaching augments One-on-One coaching by taking insights from One-on-One coaching and working through them with the overall team. This typically takes the form of weekly One-on-One sessions for each individual on the team, plus monthly group coaching sessions.

Is feedback given to managers/employers?

Yes, employers receive anonymous and non-specific feedback that reflects trends and overall insights around team culture and growth opportunities for the company. Details from One-on-One sessions are not shared.

Who are your coaches?

a)plan is staffed by some of the most experienced and tenured coaches in the industry. All of our coaches use a proven and consistent method and average at least 10 years of professional coaching experience.

What kind of training do your coaches have?

Equipped with academic, professional, and personal accolades, our coaches come from a variety of impressive backgrounds. The unifying factor is that they’re all trained to use the a)plan coaching methodology. This allows for a diverse staff and a consistent process, which is key to the scalability of our tech.

What does your app do?

The a)plan app is a powerful tool designed to enhance the coaching experience and foster regular engagement. It serves as a communication platform between coach and client while aggregating notes, progress, and archives. For more information on our app’s features, read our article: The Best Coaching App of 2024 | a)plan coaching.