Our first entry set the stage for who we are and what we do. This post provides a little more background on coaching itself.

Learning can be accomplished in a number of ways and settings, from a structured lecture in a large college classroom to one person with a book—or an Internet connection. Which way is best?

If the objective is to accumulate knowledge of facts, figures, theories, and names, each method is probably as good or bad as the next. But, if the objective is to take action and obtain results, there can be no substitute for having a mentor—a coach—who can keep a student on target and focused on goals. Even Tiger Woods has a coach for his golf swing.

It’s one thing to read about purchasing stock option contracts, and quite another to put that knowledge into action when real money is on the line. Having a coach in your corner helps you make the leap from learning to doing. While our programs do involve a written curriculum (the learning), the emphasis is on real-world principles that students are encouraged to immediately apply (the doing).

At a university, the focus is on theory, case studies, and lectures. After four (or more) years of study, the student is awarded a diploma and enters the work force. It’s time to put the theories to work, but if the theories don’t match the real-world, what do you do?

With Prosper, the learning takes weeks, not years. Because the focus is always on action and results, students build their confidence day-by-day. As mentioned before, even when the coaching is concluded, out students have access to additional resources (including people), to help them continue on their path to success.