The Science Behind YESCO Business Coaching

YESCO Business Coaching’s management frameworks set a new standard in the business coaching space for validity, usability, and scalability.

Over a decade, our portfolio of management solutions has undergone hundreds of cycles of implementation, refinement, testing, and analysis. In fact, we are the first business coaching service to utilize rigorous econometric statistical analysis to validate impact.

In this article, we will summarize our step by step approach to designing, testing, and continually refining our management ecosystem. Stay tuned, and reach out with questions!

Part 1: Distill Management Concept

The pictogram depicts a distillation process, common in chemistry. The point of distillation is to separate substances in a mixture by exploiting differences in their boiling points. It involves heating the mixture, allowing the component with the lower boiling point to evaporate, and then cooling and condensing that vapor back into a liquid, leaving the other components behind.

Similarly, our work begins with deconstructing intangible management buzzwords (think words like strategy, alignment, collaboration, execution, etc.) into tangible, applicable, management activities, using the following steps:

Define:

First, we define the concept. This includes referencing formal definitions, common usage in management circles, and personal experience.

Characterize:

Second, we characterize what it looks like in practice. This includes reflecting on credible research, case studies, and personal observations,

Categorize:

Finally, we break it down into component parts - i.e. the behaviors that matter. Likewise, we draw on available information to form working hypotheses to test.

Our core belief is that effective management can be reverse engineered. As in, anyone can become an effective manager by consistently practicing the right management activities.

Part 2: Template Management Activities

In the pictogram, a newly-distilled substance is collected into a beaker, ready for experiments. Similarly, our next step is to codify management behaviors into actionable “how-to” toolkits, for implementations. Here’s how:

Identify Steps:

First, we break down our management behavior hypotheses (per prior section) into the smaller actions that they are made up of.

Systematize Steps:

Second, we compile individual actions into repeatable processes. These address activity sequences, frequencies, and deliverables.

Create Toolkit:

Third, we turn it into an operating system. This includes templates, agendas, checklists, manuals, and tracking.

Our toolkits are the core of our management reverse engineering efforts. They are designed to help participants practice the right things, consistently.

Part 3: Track Implementations

In the pictogram, glass tubing transports the distilled liquid to the next stage for experimentation. Likewise, the next step in our process is to begin implementing our management toolkits with participants for measurement.

Plan Coaching Process:

First, we plan how to best support new toolkit implementations for each participant. This informs coaching session agendas, duration, and frequencies.

Recruit Participants:

Second, we begin inviting our existing clients to beta test it. Based on our prior work together, we consider each client’s current stage of growth, whether the new program would add value, and offer demos to help them determine if the time is right to give it a try.

Orient Participants:

Third, once a participant signs up, their coach walks them through their new toolkit materials, discuss the coaching process, and schedule

Log Coaching Sessions:

Fourth, after each coaching session, the coach records the implementation milestones that were accomplished. Each participant’s implementation data gets added to our database, where it awaits analysis..

Just like the liquid flows through contraction / expansion glass tubing “loops” in our analogy, a new toolkit undergoes numerous implementation cycles - all building towards the critical mass of data needed for an econometric study.

Part 4: Add Performance Data

Any useful chemistry experiment requires the combination of at least two ingredients, to see how they interact. As pictured, our next step is to gather client performance data from before, during, and after implementing our toolkit.

Identify Performance data

First, we ask ourselves “what data will tell us how well the toolkit worked?”. Depending on the focus of the toolkit, this could range from a client’s revenue data, profitability, or throughput, to employee retention, engagement, etc.

Identify Timeframe

Second, we pick a start and end date as performance data “bookends”. The start date must be far enough in advance of toolkit implementation to capture the status quo, while the end date needs to be far enough after to capture any change.

Identify Source

Third, we identify what datasource(s) hold the performance information we’re after.

Gather Performance Data

Lastly, we actually gather the selected performance data, within the determined timeframe, and format it for interactions with our implementation data.

Worth noting: All data gathering is done with client approval and participation.

We now have our two vital ingredients to experiment with - implementation data and performance data. Next, it's equally important to make the necessary preparations to control for relevant variables.

Part 5: Add Variables

The findings of any experiment are only as good as its ingredients. As in, if any are missing, or contaminated, the results will be unreliable. In our case, measuring program impact requires that all relevant variables be added to our client implementation and performance data.

Identify Participant Variables

First, we need to account for participant variables. This means whoever we were working directly with to implement the program (which is often delegated by the client to the appropriate member of their management team). Education level, business experience, tenure, ownership status, etc all have the potential to affect outcomes. This of course requires participant consent and participation.

Identify Business Variables

Second, we need to account for situational business factors. This includes business age, size, previous managers, etc.

Identify Market Variables

Third, consider situational market factors. Seasonality, weather disasters, pandemics (like Covid-19), politics (like tariffs), recessions, etc.

Gather Variable Data

Lastly, we compile all variable data, within the determined timeframe, and format it for interactions with our implementation and performance data sets.

Worth noting: All data gathering is done with client approval and participation.

At this point, assuming that we have a critical mass of data, we now have all the necessary raw ingredients for an econometric study. Next up, enter objective researchers…

Part 6: Conduct Econometric Analysis

Impartiality in scientific work is vital. No matter how educated the scientist, or well intentioned, biases can easily steer a study off track. Safeguards are required. Likewise, we recognize that credibly assessing program impact requires partnering with an objective 3rd party.

Engage Researchers

First, we identify a qualified research partner. We’re thankful for our research partners to date from the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah!

Orient Researchers

Second, we brief researchers on YESCO Business Coaching, the program to be tested, and our data gathering approach.

Plan Project

Third, we define the research questions, criteria, timelines, and review the data sets that have been gathered. At this point, we turn the study over to the researchers.

Support (as needed)

Throughout the life of the project, we answer researchers’ questions, provide clarifications, and gather additional data as requested.

Now, we await the results…

Part 7: Assess Results

The value of any experiment is in the “so what?”. Completing a series of tests is one thing, making sense of the results is another, determining what to do based on results is something else entirely. This applies equally to our econometric studies.

Review The Process

First, we ask our research partners to brief us on the process - what tests were performed, the steps, and the reasoning behind them. This gives us the opportunity to understand the methods used and raise any objections, prior to being biased by results.

Review The Outcomes

Second, the results are presented to us. Since we already understand the process, and have already addressed any procedural concerns, we now focus our energies purely on understanding the results.

Ask Ourselves Questions

Next, we meet internally to begin asking ourselves practical questions based on the results. What stood out? Were they good or bad? How good or bad? What aspects of the program do they point to? What next steps do they point to?

Now, we are ready to apply what we’ve learned…

Part 8: Apply Learnings

Actions taken on the basis of a scientific study can range from public service announcements to policy changes, curriculum changes, new technologies - or even new industries. Our next steps can take any of the following forms:

Program Promotion

If study results were positive - as in, if we find a strong, positive, statistically significant, correlation between program implementation and client results - next steps are informational.

Program Revisions

If study results were weak or inconclusive, we return to the drawing board! Starting at the beginning, we repeat our process until we've achieved a critical mass of data to test again.

Program Additions

Even if results were strong, the testing process can still be a springboard for new ideas. In this case, we get to move forward in both directions.

Conclusion

We’re proud of our management programs - and take the validation process very seriously. In addition to statistical analysis, we also take qualitative feedback equally seriously, shared by participants during an implementation, via post-implementation feedback surveys, or periodic debriefs.

We’re extremely thankful for our YESCO franchise owners, managers, and broader network of supporters!

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