OP
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Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
I do like the novelty tape dispenser...
It took a few seconds to work that out...
Taking over the bike shop...
- Thread starter Andy in Germany
- Start date
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It took a few seconds to work that out...
OP
OP
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
Health and Safety have visited.
Cycle workshop was passed with flying colours (as was the rest of the building)
As a reminder this is what it used to look like:
This is what the H&S inspected today:
Getting there, slowly...
Cycle workshop was passed with flying colours (as was the rest of the building)
As a reminder this is what it used to look like:
This is what the H&S inspected today:
Getting there, slowly...
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
That's a transformation Andy!
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
tribanjules
Guru
- Location
- Birmingham
Fantastic!!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
OP
OP
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
They're called the "Berufsgenossenschaft" which doesn't have an English equivalent but loosely translated could be "cooperative industry insurance": the system is that every industry has it's own insurance; this is an NGO and covers companies for health and safety related liabilities, including paying for healthcare and rehabilitation if you have an accident at work or while commuting to and from work. As such they're also responsible for making sure we fulfil our obligations.
As we're a social organisation we're covered by the "social cooperative insurance" and as you can imagine they're generally pretty careful because we have people who can't speak the language, or can't understand risks and dangers.
I don't think they have any legal authority to close us down as such but they can refuse to insure us and of course that means we'd have to close immediately.
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
Well done.
annedonnelly
Girl from the North Country
- Location
- Blyth, Northumberland
Well done. All looking good.
OP
OP
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
Thanks for the kind comments. I should say that this is one tiny part of the whole, and the other staff have worked miracles to make what must be the biggest fire hazard west of the Black Forest into a vaguely organised and safe building, often on a larger scale than these small rooms.
Now I need to show that this pays off in terms of repaired bikes. I'm trying to tone down my usual perfectionism a bit to get bikes out faster and cheaper as a large part of our customer base is people who need a bike but have very little money to pay for it. This obviously doesn't mean they aren't roadworthy; brakes, gears and lights have to work reliably, but if a bike has a worn chain or the brake snags slightly I'm letting it go for sale at a lower price. The new goal is 2 of these "Budget" bikes per week and one more expensive one where I'll replace more worn parts and put it out for a higher price.
So far this seems to be working with nearly one 'cheap' bike a day going to the showroom this week.
I also have two new clients who seem reliable and I think will be able to learn the basics relatively quickly, which means we could be back up to speed in a few months.
Now I need to show that this pays off in terms of repaired bikes. I'm trying to tone down my usual perfectionism a bit to get bikes out faster and cheaper as a large part of our customer base is people who need a bike but have very little money to pay for it. This obviously doesn't mean they aren't roadworthy; brakes, gears and lights have to work reliably, but if a bike has a worn chain or the brake snags slightly I'm letting it go for sale at a lower price. The new goal is 2 of these "Budget" bikes per week and one more expensive one where I'll replace more worn parts and put it out for a higher price.
So far this seems to be working with nearly one 'cheap' bike a day going to the showroom this week.
I also have two new clients who seem reliable and I think will be able to learn the basics relatively quickly, which means we could be back up to speed in a few months.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I hope you're keeping records of these kinds of thing. Bike throughput/sales/return rates and so on. Maybe even successful client outcomes (if that is in any way traceable back to an efficient workshop/bike shop - that's probably too complex).
Partly because this enables you to justify your efforts to your management (in a negative arse-covering kind of way). But partly because it helps you to understand what is and what isn't working.
OP
OP
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
This seems to be working: 4 bikes this week. I'm focussing on 'cheap' bikes for a few weeks to try and build up a stock because my contract comes up in 6 months and I want the manager/boss to see I'm speeding up production.
OP
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Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
I have a record of all bikes repaired and the parts I use; this is so I can keep track of new parts and make sure the cost is passed on to customers. This is sent to the manager and the boss each month. (that reminds me, I need to send last months report...)
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OP
OP
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
Nothing to report except that I seem to have a couple of regular clients now. Last one just went home: I really like working with my clients but I also like the afternoon when I get the workshop to my self for a bit.
Podcast on...
Podcast on...
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classic33
Leg End Member
They're not under that mess on yer desk, along with yer cup, are they?
