A corporate wellness coach is a health or fitness professional who works in the workplace to help employees make better lifestyle choices. The coaching typically includes goal-setting, accountability and support for healthier eating habits and increased physical activity. The coach will also work to help employees reduce stress and improve sleep patterns. Companies are beginning to understand the benefits of employee wellness programs and are eager to incorporate them into their workplace.
As a result, this niche is growing rapidly. Whether you have a background in health and nutrition or you’re looking for a career change that keeps you close to the office, this may be a great fit for you.
One of the biggest challenges for corporate wellness coaches is that each company has different needs and desired outcomes for their program. The corporate wellness coach must be able to adapt quickly and create a plan that will meet the individual needs of each client.
For example, if a corporate client wants to reduce its insurance costs, the wellness coach should focus on ways that the company can save money through improved productivity and reduced claims. This will require a very specific and targeted approach to health initiatives.
Another challenge is developing a strong marketing plan and building relationships with key stakeholders. Getting the attention of executives and other decision makers is necessary for success in this role. Having the right pitch and confidence in your abilities will allow you to communicate effectively with executives to secure their support for your program.
Often, corporate wellness programs involve biometric health screening. These data points can be intimidating for employees and they need the help of a knowledgeable wellness coach to review the results and explain what they mean for their health.
If a client is struggling with weight management, sedentary lifestyle or elevated cholesterol levels, the wellness coach will develop a healthy relationship with that individual to assist them in changing their lifestyle behaviors. This is a long-term process and most coaches have a minimum of an annual engagement with clients.
The most important skill for a wellness coach is to be able to connect with the people they work with on a deep level. Often, the clients will come to the coach with very sensitive information about their health and they need someone that they can trust to be discreet and respectful.
For those who are interested in working in the corporate wellness field, IIN has a comprehensive certification course called Intro to Corporate Wellness. The course provides a deep understanding of the landscape and current trends for workplace wellness initiatives. It also outlines useful talking points and research on the value of health and wellness programs in the workplace. You will also learn how to market your services to corporate clients and what it takes to succeed as a corporate wellness coach. In addition, you will be provided with a collection of curated content to help you begin your career in this niche.
