| E-Coaching is an abbreviation for electronic | | | | e-conversation and only have an occasional |
| coaching and is the online version of face-to-face | | | | real-time check in voice call. |
| coaching or coaching by phone. This article | | | | Another strength is that time and money are |
| highlights the potential impact of using online tools | | | | probably saved because of eliminating the travel |
| and technologies to deliver coaching-based | | | | issues. |
| solutions. | | | | The primary weakness is the virtual nature of the |
| To put this in some sort of context, please note | | | | relationship between coach and client - specifically, |
| that a generation of younger Internet users (born | | | | the absence of visual and auditory cues. |
| in the 1990s) is growing up very familiar with | | | | Giving feedback via text-based e-coaching and |
| online technologies such as instant messaging and | | | | even real-time chat can be a challenge since |
| mobile phone texting. | | | | wording and nuances can be misunderstood or |
| And a growing number of students are studying | | | | poorly phrased. |
| online and also becoming more comfortable with | | | | The Future: |
| asynchronous learning methods. As these young | | | | E-coaching may work well if part of the "coaching |
| people enter adulthood the use of online | | | | package" includes e-assignments between |
| collaboration tools and virtual reality worlds in an | | | | sessions - or even a mini ecourse/seminar |
| e-coaching environment is likely to appeal to | | | | delivered by auto-responder. |
| clients from this Internet population demographic. | | | | Particularly exciting for 'live' online coaching is the |
| However, it is probable that these tools will be | | | | growing availability of Internet Broadband to the |
| more slowly embraced by Internet users born | | | | home in both the industrialized and the rapidly |
| before 1975. | | | | industrializing BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and |
| Strengths and Weaknesses of e-coaching: | | | | China). |
| The primary strength is the anytime, anywhere | | | | The capability to use good quality video along with |
| nature of e-coaching which uses asynchronous | | | | collaboration tools such as online mind mapping will |
| delivery methods - such as email coaching or | | | | help drive new uses by coaches striving to deliver |
| private discussion forum or blog. Client and coach | | | | best-in-class coaching to their clients. |
| can carry on a meaningful and constructive | | | | |