Perspective

The definition I have is “The appearance of things relative to one another as determined by their distance from the viewer”. It means that as you get closer or farther from something, your vision of it may change. Some of our associates have a problem with the idea of selling a bike from the lower end of our price spectrum. Usually they are comfortable on bikes that are honestly among the best that mankind has designed and built, and well above the price of a basic bike. But let’s look closer at the customer that might want a basic bike.
He may have not ridden a bike in the last ten years, or more. He really just needs something to putter around the neighborhood, not to win races. Possibly he also just walked over to us after looking at one of those place that sell bikes for less than $100. By walking in, we have the opportunity to help him understand the value present in a bike that has a full set of bearings, brakes and gears that work, and it’s all put together by a Certified Mechanic.
Now that we are closer to his needs, and further from what WE want, our view of the situation changes. In the price range he’s working with, he can get a “bike” from there, or a safe bike from us. With a guarantee, and factory warranty. With an Owner’s Manual, and all the reflectors. With good accessories that’ll help him to enjoy that valuable time with his family.
The more you try to see something from “the other perspective”, the more you see. When this person next walks into your department say Hello, ask when, how and where he’s gonna ride, and help get the right bike and accessories. If you do this daily for all our customers, I think you earn the title of “Expert”. You can do it. I know you can do it.

But that’s just my perspective…