Around the Workstand
Around the Workstand is our podcast where we discuss the work done here at Workstand. Workstand is the only all-in-one commerce solution built exclusively for local bike shops. Our technology powered the ecommerce revolution for the IBD channel and is trusted by one out of four shops. Every subscription includes an optional point of sale at no extra cost. Workstand helps local bicycle retailers leverage the power of our bicycle industry-leading data network to run a more efficient business and expand sales opportunities.
We offer the most complete catalog of product data, including images and descriptions, expanded sales potential, and improved efficiency for both retailers and suppliers. Included drop shipping and brand marketing partnerships to build powerful relationships.
To complement our software services, Workstand is also a complete digital marketing partner. We work with over 400 bike shops, including many of the nation’s largest, offering website maintenance, Google Ads, SEO, graphic design, custom websites, and more.
Contact us anytime for more information: podcast@workstand.com
Around the Workstand
Don't just survive winter in your bike shop, win it with these 7 tips!
For a bulk of the country, winter brings a sharp drop in temperatures, and predictably, a dip in bike sales. It’s easy to slip into "Winter Mode": reduced staff, decreased hours, and a collective deep breath until spring.
But here’s the reality check: You don't have to endure the off-season; you get to conquer it.
This slower period is not a negative to survive—it’s a powerful, dedicated block of time to invest in your business's future. It's time to stop waiting for spring and start turning your off-season into your post-season.
Here are seven ways to win your post-season! Dig into all the details on David's blog post.
1. Master Your Inventory
The Power Move: Schedule a full, one-day store inventory. Yes, you may need to close, but you will uncover far more than you would with piecemeal efforts—from misplaced tools to completely lost product.
2. Plan Your Product Assortment (and Displays)
Action Step: Use your historical data (see #4 below!) to create a detailed plan for your product mix. Get your staff involved. Plan out floor space and fixture needs.
3. Cash In, Clear Out: Strategic Markdowns
The Focus: Identify products that are six months old or older. Mark them down aggressively.
4. Unlock Data Power: POS Management
The Fix: I can almost guarantee that a quick peek into your POS will reveal dozens, if not hundreds, of items that are uncategorized or mislabeled. Dedicate staff time to correcting this.
5. Elevate Your Team: Unified Sales Training
Implementation: Select a training guide or framework that is easy for your entire team to learn, regardless of their position. Every single staff member should be on the same page.
6. Get Ahead: Build Your Marketing Calendar
The Blueprint: Create a simple calendar (digital or print) mapping out all major holidays, local bike races, shop events, and school breaks.
7. Deep Clean and Reset: Refresh Your Environment
The Task: Throw away that three-year-old expired POP. Get rid of broken fixtures. Pull workbenches away from the walls and scrub down the service area. Invest in new service mats.
Here at Workstand, we can literally help you with every single one of these areas—from running that critical inventory audit and cleaning up your POS data, to structuring your team's sales training.
Don't just survive the winter; prepare to dominate next
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.