Present the issue that triggered this idea and then give a summary of the idea.

• Expand rental offerings.  The Workcycles (Personal Delivery Bikes and Yubas) would be added.  Also we need to expand the speciality bike offerings with the Draisins, Trikes, and tandems going out for longer periods.  So I need pricing which is based on a longer rental and in most cases delivery and pick up of the equipment.

• 12.8.08  I think we need a new statement.  After jotting down several I circulated them and Bruce, Tim and I seemed to like "Transportation Powered by YOU!"   I am not sure of the exclamation point or YOU in caps.

• Record video of the W&OD Trail and have it available for download so people can see what's on the trail.

• 11.23.08  Use GoPro Camera to document routes for "kids" rides for families with children on training wheels. 

   

• 4.  YouTube can be used to help others.

  Tim Berners Lee invented the World Wide Web 1989

  with the hope that people would share ideas online.

  Everyone I know has intellectual property that can

  help others.  I'm teaching folks to use sites like YT

  to post educational videos. 

   

  5.  Create your own instructional videos.

  The Flip video camera, available at Best Buy for around

  $150, is the size of a candy bar and simple to use. 

  Create your own instructional video or record customer

  testimonials of your offerings to post on the Web. 

• 10/29/08 - Given that we're now going to be open in morning and evening, but closed midday, I think it would be good to get a) better, commercially made, durable, reusable "CLOSED" signs and b) one of those little clock thingies to hang on the door that says "Open again at" with movable hands so we can have an easily seen indicator of when we'll be "back".  I'm guessing Staples has them, or if not, there must be online sources.
• 10/8/08 -  My thoughts currently about the hours idea below.  The more I think about it, the less I like it, honestly.  I think it adds even more confusion for our customers... our hours vary wildly, and what a customer can expect us to do varies as well, assuming we're still talking about the morning and evening hours being only for dropoff or pickup of repairs.  I was trying to imagine just how long our outgoing voice mail message will have to be to explain this, or how to explain it succinctly when someone calls with the seemingly simple question "what are your hours?"  I would suggest that instead we simply close Monday through Wednesday, perhaps keeping one of those days (probably Weds) as a work day without customers, and offer the option of making an advance appointment to drop off or pick up bikes on the other days.  That would prevent someone having to be here waiting for folks who may never arrive, and would also give John a clearer chunk of actual free time, a goal I think we should be striving for.  As for the appointment idea, as long as it's arranged in advance and not "I'm standing in front of your shop with my bike...", I'd be willing to come over here to meet folks, since I live so close.  The advantaqe I think is less confusion.  We're fully open for all business Thursday through Sunday, and can arrange to meet you on other days by appointment for repair drop off or pickup.
• Dramatic hours switch ---

          Sunday 10-6,     Monday 7-9  5:30-7:30,  Tuesday 7-9  5:30 - 7:30, Wednesday Closed, Thursday 10-6,  Friday 10-6,  Saturday 10-6

• 9.30.08 --- shuttle service to Purcellville (Do it first as an experiment in April 09)
• 9.30.08 --- Use business cards for free rentals
• 9.9.08 --- Invite Speakers (Randy from Rans) to our February Info Expo.
• Holly Towne suggested that we create a listing of rides for individuals with special needs.  That prompted a thought of rides we should do every year such as the ride we have done on Christmas Eve.
• Parents bringing in bikes for their children to take to college and then being surprised when there is a week plus wait for work to be done.  Run ads and put out news releases reminding parents to act about August 1 to have bikes ready to go to college.
• Run folding bike ads for students going to college for the first time.  Postcards to spring graduates from lists of school directories.