BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
BikeBiz gets to know the people working in the nation’s cycle trade, one person at a time (this might take a while). This month it’s the turn of Cyclescheme’s Chris Waters…
How long have you been at Cyclescheme?
Four years.
How long have you worked in the industry?
15years, including 11 brilliant years at the best retailers I could persuade to give me a job. Folding bikes, triathlon, road…selling and riding with our customers and colleagues, many of whom remain friends.
What’s the best thing about working in the cycle industry?
Meeting nice people who have succeeded with businesses and product they are passionate about, if I’m being altruistic. Getting lots of shiny bits for myself, otherwise.
What are the best and worst parts of your job?
The best part of the job is helping to get new and returning cyclists on good quality bikes from their local bike-shop and ensuring a wider customer base for the years to come. The worst parts involve public transport which, as Cyclescheme is a low CO2 company, I remain stoic about.
What are you working on at the moment?
Today is logistics planning as I will be visiting and talking to bike shops next week out on the road, and the following week I will be at a distributor sales event [dealer day] doing more of the same. The topics at the moment are training for retailers on our B2B site, and to make sure everyone can sound great when talking about Cyclescheme. Linked to this is online marketing and how to ‘sound’ great to Cyclescheme customers online. Obviously this will lead to better Cyclescheme revenue for their businesses and more new cyclists using their services.
How can the trade get in touch?
Email the Retail and Events Team rae@cyclescheme.co.uk or come and chat if you see me at a distributor show.
Do you work in the bicycle business? Want to take part in Trade Account? Let us know at BikeBiz@nbmedia.com
This article first appeared in November’s BikeBiz. Dozens of our previous editions are available online. Don’t get BikeBiz through the post? Let us know at BikeBiz@nbmedia.com.
