Exploitation or Fair Exchange?

In this eye-opening episode, Sarah exposes a troubling business model that's exploiting coaches in our industry. She reveals how one company is selling coaching services for just £49.99 for four hours of coaching per month (that's £12.50 per session!) while paying their coaches absolutely nothing.This isn't pro bono work – it's exploitation disguised as "opportunity."Key Points Discussed:The Shocking Business Model:The Setup: A coaching company selling 4 hours of monthly coaching for £49.99 (including VAT)The Math: That's just £12.50 per hour session, or £10.42 without VATThe Reality: Coaches receive zero payment – not even an associate feeThe Clients: Include household-name organisations that should know betterWhy This MattersProfessional Devaluation: When coaching costs "less than a pizza," it undermines the entire professionExploitation of Vulnerability: Takes advantage of new coaches desperate to build hours for accreditationMarket Impact: Organisations paying below minimum wage for professional services sets a dangerous precedentThe LinkedIn Poll ResultsSarah's community spoke loud and clear:90% found the practice exploitative5% deemed it acceptable5% had other concernsThe Vulnerability FactorWhy do coaches fall for this? Sarah reveals the "dark underbelly" of our profession:Lack of Transparency: Coaching schools don't explain the scarcity of employed opportunitiesMissing Skills: New coaches aren't taught client acquisition – the essential complementary skillsetFalse Expectations: Students expect clients to come easily post-certificationDesperation: Struggling coaches become vulnerable to exploitationThe Bigger PictureThis isn't just about one company – it's part of a larger pattern of advantage-taking in the coaching industry, from:"Six figures in 90 days" charlatans charging tens of thousandsCompanies that promise to sell your coaching but never pay youSarah's PositionThis is NOT pro bono coaching because:The client is payingThe company is profitingOnly the coaches work for freeTrue pro bono coaching:Serves those who couldn't otherwise afford coachingShould come after coaches have covered their financial basesDoesn't involve a middleman profiting from free labourDiscussion QuestionsHow do we better prepare new coaches for the business realities of coaching?What responsibility do coaching schools have to set realistic expectations?How can we protect vulnerable coaches from exploitative practices?What constitutes fair compensation for professional coaching services?Resources:📖 Read the Original LinkedIn Post: Sarah's viral LinkedIn post that sparked this conversation🎧 Related Episode: Listen to "Monetisable Credibility" to understand what gives coaches leverage in the marketplaceThe Bottom LineProfessional coaches deserve professional rates. When we allow our services to be valued at "less than the cost of a pizza," we don't just hurt individual coaches – we damage the credibility and sustainability of our entire profession.The coaching industry needs to have honest conversations about business realities, fair compensation, and protecting new coaches from exploitation.What are your thoughts on this practice? Have you encountered similar situations in the coaching world? Share your experiences and join the conversation.Stats That Matter:13,500+ coaching sessions delivered unpaid through this one company£10.42 per hour – well below UK minimum wage90% of respondents called it exploitativeOriginally posted a year ago, this issue remains relevant as the coaching industry continues to grapple with fair compensation and professional standards.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness