Art Of Business

Jason McCollum

I just came to work after 2 weeks off following the birth of our child, Cruze. For the duration of those 2 weeks I generated greater than ,000 courtesy of moving freight. I didn’t consider taking a single telephone call, shoot I didn’t even take 1 email. Just how then was I in the position to still work my very own book of business?

Going back to work, I had 300+ email messages it’s taken me almost all morning to go through every one and I figured I’d touch on the matter of the way to productively take a family vacation or time off work.

In many instances as Brokers we don’t get the luxury of taking time off without negatively affecting many of our working relationships or so a large amount of Brokers think. Sure your brokerage usually gives you time off however that time off could seriously affect your book of business and the money that you bring in….You may even lose some customers mainly because if you can’t help them and they need things moved they’ll go on to the next guy if you don’t possess a unshakable relationship or a back-up strategy.

It is vital to take the following steps when you are aware you are planning to be out of the office for a day, a week, or for a longer time.

1) Let your current primary customers know in advance.2) Reprogram your voice mail to let them know that you are out of the office and provide them a means by which to get in touch with you personally or perhaps you’re assistant.3) If you are working at a brokerage get a logistics representative or account coordinator to help you while you’re out….when you get back make sure you thank them with regard to assisting with your accounts (buy them a beer) [This is actually the approach I took plus step 5 below]. Get their extension or phone number and supply that as an option in your voice mail greeting.4) Change your e-mail to have an out of office message and make certain to provide them an alternative way of getting their quotes or move their freight.5) In cases where your brokerage offers a website for your clients to acquire quotes and book their own own freight make sure that you’ve provided your clients a walk through of the site and answer any concerns they may have and make sure they are aware of their freight classes.6) Any time you work for yourself then you really need to plan your time off. I’d look at getting someone to take your phone calls and get your quotes worked on. If you then have a load you will need to move….provide your new hired hand your phone number/email and you’ll have to conduct a little work on your time away. Nature of the beast if you would like reap the rewards associated with working for yourself.

If you take the following steps you shouldn’t lose any clients when planning on taking some time away for yourself and your loved ones. Until next time….Keep on keeping on!

How To Become A Freight Broker http://howtobecomeafreightbroker.net