Coach Morgan on Comcast Newsmakers

Tune in to Comcast Newsmakers in South Florida to see my interviews poolside at the Seminole Hardrock with Spero Canton!

Watch the two segments on Coaching and Goal-Setting on Comcast Cable in South Florida and on CNN Headline News.

Click here or go to http://www.smoothsailingsuccess.com/audio.shtml.

Super Size Your Sales

We are all sales people in some form or fashion. Whether it is selling someone on your favorite restaurant, movie or music – or selling your sweetie on a date, relationship or marriage – we are all selling all the time.

Why then do we get so hung up on marketing our products and services - and making sales? Why are there so many who struggle with sales and so few who seem to reach the highest levels of success?

Did you know that the difference between those who sell a little and those who sell a lot is usually a matter of degrees? Those who super size their sales simply make a few more calls, work a few more minutes each day, and focus a little more on their goals.

What if there was a way for you to make some shifts that would take your sales to the next level? What if there was a way to make selling easier and less stressful? Would you be interested in making some changes?

Jack, a young accountant, is a perfect example of someone who was not a super salesman but was willing to make some changes to grow his business. He and I began coaching together when he contacted me about expanding his portfolio. His objective was clear. He had been given a directive by his management – bring in a specific amount of business by year-end or he would no longer be needed.

Jack was ready to get to work. We began exactly as I do with all my clients, by dealing with the obstacles that were holding him back - things like clutter, papers that need to be filed or shredded, nagging financial pressures, and lack of work/life balance.

Next, Jack defined the goal he wanted to reach. He clarified the goal in specific detail including revenues, type of client, income, position, lifestyle and more.
Then he went to work on his pipeline. It was important for Jack to have a source of contacts for new business. He developed a list of potential clients and together we identified ways he could connect through professional and social networks.

Lastly, Jack and I developed a clear action plan that would keep the focus and attention on generating business even when he was busy and distracted with the myriad of daily activities. Most importantly, coaching gave Jack the accountability to stay focused and on track.

Are you ready to take your sales up a notch? Are you ready to do something differently to generate more sales and take your income to the next level? What will it take for you to reach – or exceed your goals? What if you were to set an outrageous sales goal that stretched your imagination toward new possibilities for yourself and your business?

Here are my top 4 tips to Super Size Your Sales:

1. Get clear on your goal. Until you have defined your goal in detail, it is just a wish. Get specific about what you want to accomplish. What is the end result? Is it a sales figure? An income or commission level? Think about what you want to achieve and write it down in detail.

2. Get your pipeline filled. If your goal is to close business and make sales, you will need to connect with many people. Filling your pipeline is a dynamic and continuous process. Become aware of people and opportunities to connect so that you are continually adding to your pipeline.

3. Get focused on your plan. How will you reach your goal? Without a clear plan of action, it will be difficult to stay focused and on track to move forward. Create a plan, get focused and do something every day for your dream.

4. Get an Accountability Partner. Ask someone to be your success partner to keep you accountable for reaching your goal. Find a mentor, buddy – or hire a coach - to guide, challenge and inspire you. Any journey is easier and more enjoyable when shared with a trusted partner.

Are you ready to super size your sales? Now is the time to go for it.

Schedule your “Super Size My Sales Strategy Session” now!

Get started right away with a strategy session designed to put you on the path to sales success.

Call 305-856-1566 to schedule your “Super Size My Sales Strategy Session” and get moving toward the success you want now!

Is coaching for you?

Do you want to....

• Achieve a big goal?
• Make a change?
• Get clear on your next steps?
• Take your career to the next level?
• Eliminate the struggle and enjoy life more!


Schedule your complimentary “New Year Strategy Session” to see how coaching can help you make it happen in 2009!


Email PatMorgan@SmoothSailingSuccess.com or call 305.856.1566.

Executive Coaching works!

"The executive support I received from Pat Morgan kept me on track and excited about implementing change both personally and organizationally. Her plan for success delivered weekly to my inbox kept me focused while the weekly calls of support were another component of her motivational strategy. I would recommend Pat to any business leader in need of executive coaching in order to re energize and redefine priorities.”

Mary Scott Russell, President & CEO
Chamber South

Empower Yourself for Success

The speed of change can make your head spin. In the past few weeks, we’ve watched the global economy tank, our savings disappear, and thousands of people lose their jobs. How can we prepare for change of this magnitude?

In a world that is changing more rapidly every day, it is now important than ever to take steps to empower yourself for the success you want in your career, your business and your personal life.

Dealing with change can be overwhelming. To be honest, it can be downright frightening. It’s been said that FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. When confronted with the unknown, we often imagine the worst possible outcome without giving any thought to the best that could happen.

If you can stay calm, and channel your energy into positive outcomes, you will increase your odds of finding workable solutions to any situation to you are facing. Anxiety usually means that you don’t have a clear strategy to deal with your situation.

Andrew is a perfect example of a corporate executive experiencing major change in his career, and in his personal life. By the time we talked, he was immobilized by fear – fear of job loss as his company merged and restructured, fear of not finding another job, and fear of not being able to provide for his wife and three young children.

We began with a simple 3 part strategy to pull him out of the quagmire of anxiety and put him on a path to success. First, Andrew went to work on the obstacles that were holding him back. The most obvious blocks were annoyances that robbed his time and energy, and took up valuable space in his environment. He uncovered obstacles like clutter, unfinished tasks, an outdated resume, a nagging health issue, and his frustration over struggling to make ends meet.

Andrew wrote down everything he could think of that was blocking his progress. Then, for each obstacle, he identified an action step he would take to remove the block. As he dealt with the obstacles, he regained confidence and created more space, time and energy to embrace new opportunities.

The second step in our strategy was to outline a clear plan for daily action so that Andrew could see a path to his goal. It is easier to make progress when you have defined the specific steps you will take. His plan worked like a compass to keep him focused and on course.

Lastly, Andrew committed to take action. It’s great to have a plan, but if you never take a step forward you will never be successful. Andrew agreed to do at least one thing every day for his goal. Many people get stuck at this crucial step, letting their fear of the unknown stop them from moving forward. By taking daily action, you create momentum and positive energy that will move you forward.

Are you ready to empower yourself for success? Use the three keys that helped Andrew get back on track to empower himself for the future: 1) clear the obstacles 2) create a plan and 3) commit to daily action!

Does Your Company Rock?!

Have you ever noticed that there are companies that thrive regardless of whether the economy is strong or weak? What sets them apart? How are they able to sustain success and even prosper while other businesses struggle through an economic downturn?

Wilson Washburn & Forster (WWF) is a Miami firm specializing in commercial and personal insurance. It is a great example of a company that has continued to flourish during a challenging time. What have they done to make that happen?

For starters, they have excellent leadership. Tom Washburn, CEO, has taken a proactive approach to managing and developing his business by creating a clear strategy for growth and expansion with a focus on long-term results rather than on short-term market changes.

Tom’s strategy began with a written plan that has set the course for everything the company does. The plan has been essential for keeping the team focused and taking the steps that lead them to their goals.

Part of the plan targets professional development. Investing in training for the team sets WWF apart from competitors who often cut back on spending for employee development when times get tough.

“We consider coaching essential to what we do,” says Tom. “Our coaching program helps us to more effectively support our producers in staying on track to reach their goals.”

A top priority at WWF is customer service. Employees are on a first-name basis with customers and make it a point to actively communicate with larger customers as a value added service. The team works to earn the trust of their clients and to ensure customers understand their insurance programs.

What advice would Tom offer other business owners for weathering any economic downturn? “Get someone to talk to like a coach or mentor. Create a written plan. Then, work your plan. Communicate with customers, and be strategic about investing in your business.“

4 Keys to Building a Company that Rocks!
1. Leadership.
Companies that rock have visionary leaders that inspire their teams for peak performance. They clearly communicate the company vision and inspire employees to take ownership and get involved. They challenge their team to think creatively and to make their finest contributions.

2. Focus.
Companies that rock are clear about their core competency and stay true to it. They are disciplined about consistently doing the things that create success and that keep them on the path to success.

3. Training.
Companies that rock provide their employees with the training they need to excel. They typically have a culture of continuous learning that supports employees in their own professional development as well as in having the skills and knowledge needed for their job.

4. Adaptability.
Companies that rock are able to adapt to change. They expect the unexpected – everything from regulatory changes and natural disasters to increased competition and rising energy costs – and find ways to adapt. This adaptability gives them a clear advantage in the marketplace.

Would you like for your company to rock? Learn more about how Smooth Sailing may help you take your business to the next level.

Heart of a Woman in Business

Heart of a Woman in Business is an inspirational collection of stories, strategies and ideas to help working women everywhere. Written by teachers, coaches, experts, businesswomen, speakers, CEOs and others, it's a "here's how" book that combines insight with guidance, ideas, stories and encouragement.

I'm thrilled that two of my writings were selected for inclusion: You'll find my top tips for dealing with transition, "Are You Ready for a Change?" and my poem, "The Entrepreneur."

Heart of a Woman in Business is a 288-page 6"x7" gift book that retails for $16.95. Order directly from Sparkle Press, the publisher, http://www.sparklepresentations.com/book_store.asp or from Amazon.com.