This coming weekend we gain an hour as we “fall back” ending daylight savings time.  I, like a lot of folks, think about gaining an extra hour of sleep.

I am also thinking how in just a few short months of a crazy work schedule I have already gotten away from the basics I set for myself. The basics I created before embarking on this new venture of owning my own business.

This past week I had no travel scheduled and was able to be in my office all five days.  I realized in rereading my vision statement and goals that I had slipped into the “too busy” mode.  Too busy to meditate every morning to help keep my center rejuvenated.  Too busy to review my goals to keep me on my path.  Too busy to be creative and come up with ways to help build my customer’s businesses.

I know I am not alone in forgoing the basics.  It is a common theme when talking with my friends and fellow industry professionals.

This week I am getting back to basics.  I will be meditating at dawn, I will keep my eye on my goals and I will be creative for my customers.

What will you be doing?

Websites aren’t enough anymore, now the question is:  Are you Tweeting?  Are you on Facebook?  What about LinkedIn?  Do you have a blog?  All very relevant questions in today’s society.

Budgets are tight and social media offers a way to get your product in front of your customer for little to no money.  Gone are the days of large marketing funds.  No longer do you have a person dedicated to marketing in an office.  Now marketing + business development + ++.  And if you are a small office well which hat do you want to wear today?  

My world expanded when I joined Twitter.  I “follow” architects in Scotland, New York City, Alabama, Austrailia, London etc.  They write about their projects and what is important to them.  That helps me in my job when I approach architects about the products I represent.  I also “follow” designers, remodelers and basically anyone in the building industry.  I enjoy learning about their professions.  Anywhere other than Twitter I would spend hours reading and researching but on Twitter it is all in 140 characters or less.

Need information…ask the people on Twitter.  Truly it is a plethera of information and everyone is generous about sharing.

Will it last?  I don’t know but I hope so.  As long as there is Twitter you can find me at @AGWilsonBS.

It has been an interesting time to become an independent representative in our current business climate.   We have new ways of getting our product to the attention of customers: the internet and with that social media.  But putting the product in front of a potential client only goes so far.  If you don’t deliver – it won’t matter.

I recently read a blog “The Sideroad” by Anne Obarski where she talked about the four cornerstones of customer service.  Trust ~ Knowledgeable ~ Efficient ~ Friendly

Friendly: Friendliness is the easiest of the cornerstones for me. I enjoy meeting and speaking with people.  I like listening to people’s lives because I always learn something new.

Knowledgeable: I am working on knowing my products inside and out.  If I don’t know an answer I am sure going to find it.  I find most people are patient with me when I say I don’t know but let me find out and get back with you.  And I do.

Trust: That is where trust comes in.  It is something earned by doing what I say I am going to do.  No shortcuts here.  This cornerstone, for me, is the most important.  It is what gets the customer to call back again and again.  It is what they will share with another potential customer.

Efficiency:  That will get better as I learn my new job.  I am a major list person.  Outlook and Plan Plus Online are my saviors, both keep me on track.  I am learning to read the many reports I receive quickly and use that information to help my customers.

Ultimately my most important function as an independent rep is to bring business to my customers.  If I can do that along with these four cornerstones I have no doubt I will succeed.