Author Archives: Phill

The Bike Leasing Company

Why Should Anyone Invest In Somebody Else’s Bike Business?

That’s a good question.

To put money into anyone else’s idea, you first have to know what good is going to come of it – for you, not just for the business.

Sure, the business gets access to funds to help it grow, but what’s in it for the investor?

To put it bluntly, a successful small business is more likely to be bought up by a major player in the market. Successful niche companies have a habit of being bought by bigger companies, looking to increase their loyal customer base and share in the some of the good feeling that a great smaller business generates. The bigger business can usually offer customers a wider range of great products too, so everyone wins.

The best bit is that the bigger business, the one doing the buying, usually pays good money for the great smaller business which has grown through your investment…. So you make a profit, in return for helping the small business to become so attractive.

Crowd Funding? What’s That?

Crowd Funding is an awesome idea which probably wouldn’t have worked before the internet. It’s a way of making it possible for small investors to contribute to big plans. By reducing the costs of organising funding and increasing the ability of normal people to see where their investment will go, crowd funding allows people like you and me to share in the growth of great businesses.

The Bike Leasing Company

The Bike Leasing Company on CrowdCube.com

I got my bike from The Bike Leasing Company about 12 months ago. I should really publish a “year long review” piece here, but for now I’ll just say that the experience was painless and I got a lot of bike for not a lot of money. The Bike Leasing Company is now set for growth but needs investment, so they’ve turned to CrowdCube to see if the internet can make it happen.

On the right hand side of this page is a widget showing how the appeal is going, and by clicking the “Help Fund This Pitch” button you can see what freebies you get for your investment straight away – and don’t we all like something for nothing? But don’t forget, your investment isn’t only for a free t-shirt, or a free lease of a totally cool new bike…

It might help to get a lot more people riding cool bikes. It might also make you a handsome profit.

Tell the bank manager Phill sent you 😉

Is It Time For Winter Pedals?

20121019-224313.jpg

I got these last week from Superstar Components: a big confidence booster for the winter months.

SPDs are great when it’s not sketchy underfoot, but as the trails and pathways get slippy, it’s time for me to allow myself a dab along the way.

What about you?

Wheels For Wellbeing – Need Your Support.

Last week, I helped a very good friend and had a great time at The Cycle Show, at the NEC in Birmingham.

Of course, there were lots of shiny bikes and bikey gadgets around and it was an absolute pleasure to be there, but one organisation made an impression on us, so I’m asking you (yes, you) to spend a few seconds giving them a little help.

Wheels For Wellbeing‘s simple strapline is “supporting disabled people to cycle” and that’s exactly what they do.

Wheels For Wellbeing - They need your vote.

 

Their manager Isabelle’s smiling face was all over the show throughout the four-day duration, chatting to all the exhibitors and most of the visitors. Her tireless enthusiasm is infectious and she’s doing a grand job with her team, helping people of all abilities to ride bikes…. Bikes, handbikes, electric bikes, assisted wheelchairs… whatever it takes to get people out in the fresh air enjoying cycling.

Wheels For Wellbeing have reached the final stage in the Best Sports Project category for National Lottery Good Causes, and you should vote for them. Just click the link on this page, pop your email address in the form and bask in the glory of a job well done.

They will win £2,000 in funding if they win the vote. More importantly, it will give them much-needed exposure and a platform to publicise inclusive cycling, not just in London where they’re based, but with a knock-on effect for similar organisations everywhere.

It’s that simple. Do it now.

Thanks. 🙂

To see more general information about Wheels For Wellbeing, visit their main site here.

Rules Of The Road – Not Just For Cyclists

Hi there.

Yes, I’ve been quiet. Sorry about that: I’ve got some stuff going on right now.

I read an excellent little article today over on the Bike Tinker Blog. It’s an excellent blog all about doing weird stuff with – and for – bikes. A lovely pastime. Check it out.

Anyway, this article listed some Rules Of The Road, which I’m going to reproduce here. I hope the author doesn’t mind.

Rules Of The Road.

  1. Expect to share the road with bicycles.
  2. Expect to share the road with cars.
  3. Move predictably.
  4. Never attempt to kill or injure another person intentionally.
  5. Pay attention, so you don’t kill or injure anyone unintentionally.
  6. Stay aware of other peoples’ presence, speed and direction.
  7. Alert people to your presence, but do not startle them.

To these, I’m going to add two more cyclist-specific rules which Baron Sugar of Clapham suggested in an interview on the soon-to-be-defunct Chris Moyles Radio 1 breaksfast radio show:

  1. Always wear a helmet, even if you’re just going around the corner.
  2. Assume that everyone else on the road is trying to kill you.

Do you have any more to add? I’d be interested to see them. Or, distil your best 3 and put them here, because everyone knows that you can’t remember more than 3 things at the same time.

…Go! 🙂

Where is your business growing to?

Find out how Phill Connell Marketing Solutions can accelerate your business growth. Practical, realistic steps to improve your revenue generation.

%d bloggers like this: