In this episode of I Need A Coach, host Adam Packard sits down with Mike Dugan, a former Vice President of Sales turned successful consultant. Mike shares his incredible journey from the Military to climbing the ranks in corporate America and ultimately taking the bold leap into entrepreneurship. Discover how Mike navigated a challenging first year with zero income, the mindset that propelled him forward, and the strategies he employs to help small to mid-sized businesses thrive. Packed with invaluable insights on sales, leadership, and personal growth, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals alike.Mike Dugan brings with him over 30 years of experience as a successful business leader ranging from large Fortune 500 corporations(Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Baxter) to smaller entrepreneurial businesses. Clients find his depth of experience and knowledge reassuring. While many consultants are skilled at diagnosing the issues preventing organizations from achieving success, few consultants seek involvement in the actual hands-on implementation process required for next-level growth. This aspect makes Mike’s work unique. Having served as a Vice President of Sales for both large public corporations and smaller private companies, Mike has built a strong reputation for delivering powerful, record-breaking results quickly. These traits, along with his polished client-focused approach, allow Mike to deliver a consistently high level of satisfaction to all his clients. Born in Maryland, Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from Towson University in Baltimore and he was awarded his MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA. After college Mike spent just over 8 years in the Military as a Naval Flight Officer flying the F-14 Tomcat and is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Mike is the Founder of Commonwealth - Consulting an advisory coaching & training practice serving the entire USA. He is licensed and certified advisor with Chart Learning Systems, The Proctor-Gallagher Institute, and Appleton & Green. Mike also works internationally as a paid speaker for Vistage Worldwide and TEC Canada. Mike, his lovely wife Deanna and their children reside in Virginia Beach, VA where they enjoy golf, scuba-diving, and relaxing at the beach with friends.Key Topics Discussed:Transition from the Military to consultingAchieving sales targets in corporationsImportance of networkingMindset and affirmations for successRecommendations of books for personal developmentTimestamps:06:46 Good bosses set clear, achievable expectations and hold people accountable.11:06 Companies that prioritizes results over hierarchy are more likely to be innovators.18:28 Mindset training crucial for business success and self-belief.23:31 Believe in creating your own reality through practice and perseverance.Guest Socials:Mike Dugan | LinkedInCommonwealth Consulting | Website

In this insightful episode of I Need A Coach, host Adam Packard welcomes Alice Shikina, a master of negotiations and mediation. With a rich background that transitions from the theatre to a career in conflict resolution, Alice unveils how she leverages deep understanding of human interactions to excel in negotiations. Discover practical negotiation strategies that Alice employs both in business and personal life, including an ingenious ‘two-choice’ technique. Whether it's negotiating a business deal, managing workplace conflicts, or even navigating family dynamics, Alice provides actionable advice that can transform interactions. Tune in to enhance your negotiation skills and apply them across all facets of life.Alice Shikina is a negotiation coach and mediator. She mediates divorces, workplace conflicts and family conflicts. She has over twenty years of theatre experience that she draws on when reading people in negotiations and mediation. Alice grew up in Louisiana and lived in the Czech Republic and speaks Czech. She has two teenage boys and lives in Oakland, CA. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, Netflix and traveling.Key Topics Discussed:Transitioning from theatre to negotiation and mediationThe effectiveness of using acting skills in negotiationsStrategies for teaching negotiation and mediation skillsAdapting negotiation skills for personal relationshipsMarketing tactics for negotiation coaching servicesTimestamps:06:34 Shikina Negotiation Academy.11:54 The use of an acting background when teaching anger management.14:21 Avoid favouring one outcome over the other in negotiations.22:42 Make requests easy to say yes to by offering a something of value first.Guest Socials:Alice Shikina | LinkedInShikina Mediation | InstagramShikina Mediation | FacebookShikina Negotiation Academy | WebsiteNegotiating With Alice | Podcast

In this episode of "I Need A Coach", host Adam Packard delves into a captivating conversation with Jason Komosa, an expert in mental health and performance. Discover Jason's journey from a burnt-out tech executive to a transformative mental health coach, and explore how he helps high-performing men dismantle stress, redefine their self-worth, and confront generational trauma. Gain exclusive insights into Jason's unique strategies for rewiring mental operating systems and fostering resilience. Get ready for a profound exploration of vulnerability, proactive mindset shifts, and the impactful results of investing in personal growth. This episode is a game-changer for anyone seeking extraordinary personal and professional transformation.Throughout his 20+ year career in Tech, Jason has led the Revenue/Sales Initiatives as one of the first 100 employees at tiny start-ups that have evolved into multi-billion dollar acquisitions (Vitamin Water, Groupon). After experiencing severe burnout post-Groupon IPO, Jason devoted years of his life as a full-time student (again) strengthening his knowledge of all things Philosophy, Psychology, and Neurology, working alongside Harvard-trained psychologists. Rewiring his own beliefs to upgrade his mental software to the latest cutting-edge software, Jason now coaches Men on how to do the same. Jason coaches senior leaders at Start-Ups as well as companies like Uber, GGV, and Wells Fargo. His mission is to help you close the gap that exists between who you are today and who you know you are capable of becoming.Key Topics Discussed:The power of mental health coaching for menOvercoming stress and self-worth attachment in one's careerTransitioning from burnout to personal developmentSetting boundaries and finding work-life balanceThe importance of morning routines and proactivity Timestamps:08:12 Showing vulnerability helps others change and grow through shared experiences.11:36 Men can improve their emotional well-being for themselves and their families.15:27 Make time for short reading; recommends two books.19:34 Discussing the ideal self, and the relation to emotional control. 20:21 Sharing daily actions that align with our true identity.Guest Socials:Jason Komosa | LinkedInJason Komosa | FacebookJason Komosa | Website

In the latest episode of "I Need A Coach," host Adam Packard sits down with Joe Marcoux, a master of sales training for coaches. Dive into the art of time collapsing in coaching, crucial sales skills, and how to turn leads into loyal clients. Joe unveils his acclaimed Sales Objection Mastery Handbook — your blueprint to mastering objections. Don't miss mic-dropping truth bombs from Joe and Adam as they unpack strategies for high-ticket sales and share insider tips for success in the competitive coaching industry. It's an episode brimming with actionable advice that you won't want to miss! Known as the Sales Sensei, Joe Marcoux is a sales training professional dedicated to transforming individuals and businesses. Joe's passion lies in helping people unlock their full potential and achieve their goals. An author, speaker, and business advisor, Joe Marcoux has earned a reputation as a true sales luminary. He is the creative force behind the "Army-of-1 Sales Method", a strategy that empowers entrepreneurs and sales teams to create 'Buying Conversations', closing deals without the uncomfortable stigma of sales pushiness. Joe's most significant contribution to the sales world is the establishment of the "S.O.S. (Sales Objection System)" as well as "Dojo", a LIVE and Virtual training ground where individuals and businesses learn, practice and earn their Black Belt in sales. This helps them to teach the art of overcoming objections. Through the Virtual Sales Dojo, Joe and his team equip entrepreneurs with the skills to navigate ANY objection. Objections, once stumbling blocks, become the stepping stones to success with Joe's expert guidance. Joe Marcoux is here to be a tactician and guide on your hero’s journey. He is a creator of sales masters, leading countless individuals and businesses to sales success.Key Topics Discussed:Time collapsing in coaching and lead generationSales skills' importance in successful coachingOvercoming objections using SOS Sales DojoEffective lead conversion metrics and strategiesTechniques and mindset for high-ticket sales closingsTimestamps:11:39 Managing emotions and practicing listening to connect and learn. 15:18 Focusing on quality leads to optimal results. 19:37 Lead tracking is essential for appointment conversion rates.20:52 Joe discusses a former black belt turned successful real estate saleswoman.Guest Socials:Joe Marcoux | InstagramJoe Marcoux | LinkedInJoe Marcoux | FacebookJoe Marcoux | Website

On this week's episode of "I Need A Coach," join host Adam Packard as he welcomes Cassie Adkins and profile expert Reece Haynes. Dive deep into the art of LinkedIn optimization as Reece gives live examples of how to optimize your LinkedIn profile to not just attract, but engage your target audience with immediate impact. Discover the secret sauce to a magnetic headline, the power of a well-crafted 'About' section, and the essential tweaks that will have CEOs hungry for more. Whether you're looking to build trust or reduce stress in your clientele, this episode will elevate your LinkedIn game!Cassie Adkins: Cassie's story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to helping others. From battling personal challenges to becoming a beacon of hope in the field of addiction therapy, Cassie's journey is nothing short of inspirational. Growing up, Cassie faced adversity early on, but that didn't deter her. She started drinking at 12 but managed to excel academically, graduating high school with an impressive 4.15 GPA. Despite initially pursuing a career in architecture at Virginia Tech, Cassie followed her heart and transitioned to psychology after three years, driven by her passion for making a difference in people's lives. Her path took unexpected turns—marriage to a Marine, relocation to Vermont, and navigating the complexities of early parenthood. But amidst the challenges, Cassie found her calling. Working at an adolescent group home in New Hampshire, she discovered her battle with addiction, propelling her toward a career dedicated to helping others. Cassie's journey didn't stop there. With resilience and determination, she obtained state and national certification as an addiction therapist, becoming a beacon of hope for countless individuals seeking recovery. Today, Cassie lives on her dream property, surrounded by her loving family and a menagerie of pets, finding solace in nature and the bonds she's built.Reece Haynes:Reece, whose journey began from the confines of a traditional education system and a minimum-wage job, has risen quickly to entrepreneurial success. He refused to settle for the cookie-cutter lifestyle society expected of him. Instead, he sought an exit from the mundane 9-5 routine and found his calling in the world of online writing. With a passion for words instilled by his mother from a young age, he embarked on a journey to turn his love for writing into a profitable venture. However, time was a scarce resource, juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. It wasn't until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that he was able to fully commit to his aspirations. In a whirlwind of determination and dedication, he pitched relentlessly and immersed himself in social media, ultimately securing his first full-time client and matching his part-time job's earnings. With newfound freedom, he continued to expand his clientele, honing his skills in various forms of writing. Venturing into LinkedIn, he underwent training and began crafting profiles for a diverse range of individuals, from budding entrepreneurs to established agencies. Through perseverance and a commitment to excellence, our guest has built a reputation as a go-to expert in optimizing LinkedIn profiles and managing accounts for clients worldwide.Key Topics Discussed:Optimizing LinkedIn profile headlinesStructuring LinkedIn's featured section effectivelyCrafting engaging LinkedIn 'about' sectionsThe importance of balancing LinkedIn contentStrategic question framing to attract CEOsTimestamps:20:44 "Reduce stress in your startup" as a prompt to attract clients. 26:18 Troubleshooting communication issues in startup workplaces.27:12 Clarifying team expectations to address concerns and communicate openly.31:03 Retaining top talent is a key priority and important in business. Guest Socials:Cassie Adkins | LinkedInReece Haynes | LinkedInReece Haynes | Website

In this episode of "I Need A Coach," host Adam Packard interviews Jason Weiss, a practicing attorney turned consultant for attorneys. Jason shares insights from his book "Shit they don't teach you in law school," addressing the struggles attorneys face outside of law school and how to navigate them. He discusses his transition to coaching, his approach to helping frustrated attorneys, and what's next in his thriving business. Listen and learn all about Jason's no-nonsense approach to coaching attorneys, his strategies for addressing time management, and his plans for the future.Jason S. Weiss, Esq. concentrates his area of practice on commercial and business matters, sports and entertainment, and business transactions. Focusing on his practice as a fractional general counsel, he has extensive experience in all aspects of the law. As a business coach who founded "Ask Jason Weiss", Jason helps attorneys in all phases of their careers navigate through the good, the bad, and the ugly of the law. When Jason is not on a phone call, he is a father, and you can find him pacing the sidelines at his son's lacrosse games or watching his daughter perform on stage at a dance recital. He spends quality time with his wife in their garden growing wonderful herbs, fruits, and vegetables.Key Topics Discussed:Common frustrations while practicing lawCoaching models and business development tools for attorneysThe impact of stress levels and time management on attorneysWriting and promoting a book by attorneys, for attorneys Outlining long-term goals and the importance of work-life balanceTimestamps:04:31 Why real-world experience is crucial after post-secondary education.13:47 When we process negative feedback, we find the sweet spot in our frustration.19:07 Realizing that in any law practice, giving back is essential. 20:23 The importance of connecting with nature and animals during time off. Guest Socials:Jason Weiss | InstagramJason Weiss | LinkedIn

In this informative episode of "I Need A Coach," host Adam Packard welcomes the remarkably engaging Chris Croft, a LinkedIn Learning sensation, to discuss the symbiosis between coaching and training. Chris shares his transition from engineer to a sought-after educator and trainer who leverages LinkedIn to fuel his online courses substantial growth. Delve into the nuances of valuable content creation, the strategic use of social media, and the delicate art of self-promotion. Whether you're a coach seeking to expand your repertoire or simply craving expert insights on personal branding, this episode has an invaluable blend of strategy, humour, and candid wisdom. Chris, a true pioneer in the world of education and training originally came from an engineering background with a master's degree from Cambridge. He spent a decade as a senior manager in manufacturing before pursuing an MBA. Following a four-year stint as a university lecturer, he founded his own training company 25 years ago. Chris doesn't just limit his expertise to the UK. He conducts face-to-face courses locally and offers Zoom training globally. Operating from his studio, Chris creates video courses that have ranked him as the 11th top instructor on udemy.com globally. His courses on Time Management, Project Management, and more on LinkedIn Learning boast an impressive 20,000 views daily and over ten million views overall. Don't miss out on the chance to follow Chris on LinkedIn for valuable insights, and explore his quirky blog via his website. Key Topics Discussed: Leveraging LinkedIn for business growthTraining plus coachingContent strategies for audience engagementSelf-promotion across different cultures on LinkedInMaximizing video content on social platformsTimestamps: 03:06 The power of freelancing.09:11 Top tips for using LinkedIn.10:57 The importance of diverse topics to feed interest on social platforms.16:46 Maintaining humility through the increase of social media followers. 18:53 How creating visual content maximizes engagement on LinkedIn.23:27 Zoom as a tool to make coaching more convenient and effective.26:15 Coaching as a rewarding challenge and how to follow up with clients. 28:45 Balancing coaching and training with time constraints.Episode Resources: Chris Croft | WebsiteChris Croft | LinkedInChris Croft | YouTubeChris Croft | Udemy

Bob Burg, best-selling author known for 'The Go-Giver' series, shares his inspiring journey from broadcaster to sales expert. He reveals the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success, emphasizing the importance of creating value over profit. Burg illustrates how building authentic relationships fosters trust and enhances business growth. He discusses the distinction between value and price, suggesting that true worth is recognized when serving others. Listeners gain actionable insights for both personal and professional development through this engaging conversation.

On this episode of "I Need A Coach," former army officer turned executive recruiter, George Randle, shares insights on the importance of leadership assessments and why he believes performance improvement plans are ineffective with our host Adam Packard. With over 25 years in talent acquisition and extensive experience building high-performing teams, George offers valuable advice on leadership, coaching, and talent management. He dives into the Hogan Assessment and its role in understanding individuals' values, personality, and counterproductive behaviours. Tune in as George goes into detail about his journey, his coaching philosophy and the lessons he learned from his elite military background.George is an experienced talent executive, coach, and leader known for selecting, building, and reorganizing teams to reach their full business potential. George has 20+ years of Fortune 100 and Fortune 1000 globalHuman Resources and Talent Acquisition experience creating and leading high-performance teams. He is also co-author of the best-selling book, “The Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Organizations Win onTalent,” and public speaker. Following a successful career as a US Army officer, George transitioned to the Human Resources/Talent Acquisition functions serving the last 10+ years as a global HR executive and leader. The teams he has built and led have hired over 80,000 professionals in over 60 countries.George is certified with and uses several leadership assessment tools to gain a clear view of the “DNA” of leaders and candidates alike, allowing him to provide critical insights into the decision-making of hiring executiveleaders. While not from Texas, he “got there as soon as he could” and is a long-time Austin resident. When not travelling to enjoy time with his children and their families, he is a competitive soccer player and fitness enthusiast.From one of his clients: “When C-Level talent is critical to drive business results, George is the expert who will find exceptional talent that will 'fit' the needs and specific role for your company. His best-selling book, The Talent War highlights that it is leadership and character that distinguishes the best talent, and he should know after hiring/evaluating/assessing over 2500 executives. Many executive resumes may look good, but they may not be the right fit. We need to look beyond our network of colleagues and people we are comfortable with, they are often not the best option. George goes beyond to understand the company, the executive team and what drives the candidate to find the few candidates that are a more perfect fit. He is a no-nonsense leader and consultant who looks out for both the CEO and the candidate so that a terrific match is found.”Key Topics Discussed:Military leadership experienceThe impact of The Hogan Assessment in coachingEffective team building in organizationsManagement of underperforming employeesPersonal Development And Improving Leadership SkillsTimestamps: 04:23 Identifying talent in elite military organizations and companies.07:19 Military leadership and how it emphasizes coaching, mentoring, and developing teams.11:46 Useful assessments that evaluate values, personality, and stress behaviours.13:52 How Lawyers and HR prioritize risk and compliance.19:02 How to find success and balance in coaching and executive search businesses.20:37 Coaching involves sharing experience, delivering results and being good with people.Episode Resources: Randall Partners | Website

On this episode of I Need A Coach, join host Adam Packard as he sits down with Alessa Neeck, a former Broadway star turned presentation and communications coach for introverts. Alessa shares her journey from overcoming stage fright to empowering introverts to become impactful communicators. This episode gives insights into authenticity, breathwork, and finding your unique edge in a competitive coaching world. She offers practical tips and actionable advice for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and confidence. Join the discussion on morning and evening routines, unique communication angles, and the power of referrals.Alessa Neeck, CEMP, is an Executive Presentation Coach who empowers high performers to excel at presentation, communication, and public speaking. Alessa knows how to “talk the talk,” but unlike other coaches, she has personally “walked the walk.” Alessa spent the first 15 years of her professional career on Broadway, including starring in the title role in Cinderella. Contrary to the stereotype that all actors are extroverts, Alessa is not. She is an introvert who had to discover unique tools to overcome her anxiety, self-doubt, and the immense pressure of performing in front of thousands night after night. Through her transformation, Alessa developed a system to reprogram her mindset and eliminate self-sabotaging behaviours. Her passion shifted to sharing these tools, helping others conquer fear-based thinking, and becoming confident communicators who can present their talents to the world authentically. Alessa has worked with hundreds of clients, from C-Suites to Entrepreneurs, Start-ups to Fortune 500 Companies. Whether acing high-stakes presentations, strengthening relationships, or building new connections, Alessa empowers her clients to unlock their true potential to thrive both personally and professionally.Key Topics Discussed:Overcoming fear and anxiety when public speakingImplementing morning and evening routines for mental wellnessTailoring communication styles to connect deeply with othersFinding a niche and being distinct in the coaching marketUtilizing social proof and referrals for lead generationTimestamps:09:49 Identifying strengths, weaknesses, and fears.13:41 Understanding boundaries, communication, and adapting to others.18:44 Nightly routines, taking a break from screen time and cultivating balance with journalling.22:09 Unique communication angles to help connect with clients.23:09 Taking a holistic approach with a niche focus in the coaching market.Episode Resources:Alessa Neeck Coaching | WebsiteAlessa Neeck Coaching | YouTubeAlessa Neeck Coaching | FacebookAlessa Neeck | LinkedInAlessa Neeck | Instagram