Around the Workstand

Hosted by Workstand

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Episodes

123

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Around the Workstand is our podcast where we discuss the work done here at Workstand. Workstand is the only all-in-one commerce solution built exclusively for local bike shops. Our technology powered the ecommerce revolution for the IBD channel and is trusted by one out of four shops. Every subscription includes an optional point of sale at no extra cost. Workstand helps local bicycle retailers leverage the power of our bicycle industry-leading data network to run a more efficient business and expand sales opportunities. We offer the most complete catalog of product data, including images and descriptions, expanded sales potential, and improved efficiency for both retailers and suppliers. Included drop shipping and brand marketing partnerships to build powerful relationships. To complement our software services, Workstand is also a complete digital marketing partner. We work with over 400 bike shops, including many of the nation’s largest, offering website maintenance, Google Ads, SEO, graphic design, custom websites, and more. Contact us anytime for more information: podcast@workstand.com

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60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 11922 min

How AI Is Changing Local Bike Shops — For Owners and Customers

Mark Still and Alex Slocum, Workstand's Director of Product, discuss the current state of AI and its effect on consumer behavior, shopping, and the continued (growing even) advantage of local retail.Most people hear or even say ‘AI’ daily - what is AI now and what is it not?LLMs definedLLMs as a business levelerThe opportunity for the bike industry Product discovery has always changed and evolvedVisibility in LLMs - SEO/AEO/GEO, structured data, robots.txt/llms.txtBrick and Mortar Expertise is even more valuableDiscerning what is valuable from the mass of information generated by LLMsUsing LLMs to drive shoppers to the store, where staff expertise can convertHow Workstand is supporting LLM discoveryHow/where might bike shop owners and managers leverage AI in their day to day?Repetitive tasks - bookkeeping, communication, scheduling?LLMs like OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and others aren't magic, and they aren't creative. They certainly don't produce unique content or answers. In fact, they are the opposite of 'unique'. More like a cover band than an original artist, but they can help answer complicated questions, and they are very good at dealing with large amounts of data and predicting the responses we're all looking for. Even if they often produce AI slop and wrong answers while still hallucinating as often as not, when you know what you want but not how to produce the answer, they can seem magical. They can help create decent marketing content such as brand-specific landing pages for your website, which can be very beneficial given the landscape of product discovery these days. Remember bike magazines? Mountain Bike Action, Velonews, that's how we used to learn about new products. Then came blogs and Google search. Well, now it's AI and LLMs, and the more relevant content bike shops have on their website, the more likely they are to be referenced in product discovery. Workstand helps more than 1,200 bike shops across North America compete in this way, and sometimes, AI helps a store narrow down what they want while we polish and finalize it for their website, saving time and money and making the store more agile and effective. Are you trying such tactics?Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

April 7, 2026Episode 11816 min

5 myths of online selling that continue to keep local bike shops from real sales growth - busted!

We're not saying it doesn't take a focused effort or real work. What we are saying is that many of the barriers that local, independent bike shops continue to believe rule them out of meaningful sales growth are no longer valid. Workstand has the tools and expertise to help every bike shop, from the local, owner-operated store to the multi-location, high-revenue operation, leverage online sales and technology to grow in a space all of their customers already inhabit.Don't let these misconceptions hold you back! Workstand can prove to you that these are not real.Small retailers lack the scale and infrastructure to compete against the price and reach of e-commerce giants.A retailer’s sales potential is limited by the physical inventory they can fit inside their four walls.Increasing e-commerce order volume requires a proportional increase in staff to manage packing, shipping, and logistics.Competitive e-commerce requires a massive upfront investment in custom web development, expensive hardware, and a high-burn marketing budget.The high cost of shipping bikes and components makes e-commerce margins unsustainable for smaller retailers.Bonus Pro Tip - Turn your museum into a cash flow machineBe sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

March 25, 2026Episode 11723 min

Google Local Product & Awareness Ads work well to help bike shops capture shoppers in their market!

Google Local Product & Awareness Ads are some of the best levers we have to capture both high-intent shoppers who are ready to buy the products in stock on your floor now and people simply looking for a bike shop for service or answers to general sales questions.Our four-person ads team, led by today's guest, Matt Viara, has decades of bicycle retail and Google ads experience. They can help you find and convert the shoppers that mean the most to your business.Here's the last time we had Matt on, when we dug super deep into all of our ad programs. If today's focus on local markets isn't what you're looking for, we can certainly help your store go national with its sales efforts. Reach out to mark.s@workstand.com, and we'll book some time to get started!Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

March 10, 2026Episode 11611 min

Announcing Workstand's new, monthly livestream to help bike shops leverage technology to grow!

We delve into the mission behind the livestream, which will offer clients an engaging medium to explore topics that impact their retail operations and learn how Workstand can help them facilitate growth. The first monthly session, on March 17th at 9:30am MDT, is set to focus on landing page content and the page editor, combining the "how-tos" with the reasons behind their importance in a retail context. This comprehensive approach allows us to not only discuss best practices but also how these strategies can influence organic search and customer engagement. Raquel emphasizes the value of collaborative learning, making it easier for retail clients to absorb information while relating it directly to their day-to-day operations.Raquel encourages feedback and topic suggestions from listeners, highlighting the importance of tailoring our content to meet user needs and interests. Our overarching goal is to foster community engagement and continuous learning, helping bike shops understand the full potential of the tools we offer for elevating their businesses.Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

February 18, 2026Episode 11517 min

Spring is coming to your bike shop. How is your product mix in-store and online?

As we approach spring 2026, thinking about the product mix in-store and online can make a huge difference in a local bike shop's success as prime riding weather returns to many parts of North America.What are your potential customers searching for online? What would they buy with that new bike if only you had it in stock and in front of them before all of the excitement of new bike day fades? When is it wise to hold a full size run, and when should you experiment with one or two of something?Pro tip: Helmets on test rides. First of all, should be mandatory for all of the liability reasons. Second, all helmets used for test rides should be nice, new, and clean. They should be helmets that you want to sell more of. Why? Listen and find out, then let us know your approach to inventory strategy this year. Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

January 20, 2026Episode 11423 min

2025 Year In Review of sales on the Workstand platform, and a look toward bike shop success in 2026

We saw a wide variety of results for the stores we talked to and met with during 2025. The usual factors were in play - weather, geography, brands, staffing, etc - so we’re not sure how helpful the industry-wide, in-store sales data are as a reference point, so we’ll just say we heard it all. It felt like our stores had solid results in-store overall based on our conversations. There were certainly exceptions, but I heard a lot of folks saying they were up relative to 2024.2025 vs 2024 on the Workstand platform - the number of stores with significant online sales was strong in 2025.Dollars: +7.4% over 2024Orders: +3.7% over 2024Units: +3.7% over 2024Perhaps the most surprising trend is that sales of electronics across the Workstand platform, once considered almost guaranteed to be fraudulent, are not only legit, but up 28% over 2024. Wild!What worked, what helped strong online and in-store sales?Focus on aged inventory - that's where margin goes to die, keep it lean and keep it movingTesting shipping options - for many shoppers, shipping costs matter more than the price of the item they are buyingAd spend - Returns were high for stores willing to investBuying for online - there were deals to be had with many brands and suppliers, so buying the dips worked wellIntentional content and marketing - good content matters, and intentional investment in the message paid offWe have upcoming events:David will be leading an NBDA Superwebinar on January 26th, entitled, Making Your Data Work for Your Business, Episode 1 of the 2026 Workstand NBDA Webinar Series. It’s the first in a series of webinars we’re doing with NBDA this year. We’ll have a presence at CABDA Midwest in February. Workstand will have a booth and be speaking.We'll have a team at Frostbike at the end of February.Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

December 10, 2025Episode 11313 min

Don't just survive winter in your bike shop, win it with these 7 tips!

For a bulk of the country, winter brings a sharp drop in temperatures, and predictably, a dip in bike sales. It’s easy to slip into "Winter Mode": reduced staff, decreased hours, and a collective deep breath until spring.But here’s the reality check: You don't have to endure the off-season; you get to conquer it.This slower period is not a negative to survive—it’s a powerful, dedicated block of time to invest in your business's future. It's time to stop waiting for spring and start turning your off-season into your post-season.Here are seven ways to win your post-season! Dig into all the details on David's blog post.1. Master Your InventoryThe Power Move: Schedule a full, one-day store inventory. Yes, you may need to close, but you will uncover far more than you would with piecemeal efforts—from misplaced tools to completely lost product.2. Plan Your Product Assortment (and Displays)Action Step: Use your historical data (see #4 below!) to create a detailed plan for your product mix. Get your staff involved. Plan out floor space and fixture needs.3. Cash In, Clear Out: Strategic MarkdownsThe Focus: Identify products that are six months old or older. Mark them down aggressively.4. Unlock Data Power: POS ManagementThe Fix: I can almost guarantee that a quick peek into your POS will reveal dozens, if not hundreds, of items that are uncategorized or mislabeled. Dedicate staff time to correcting this.5. Elevate Your Team: Unified Sales TrainingImplementation: Select a training guide or framework that is easy for your entire team to learn, regardless of their position. Every single staff member should be on the same page.6. Get Ahead: Build Your Marketing CalendarThe Blueprint: Create a simple calendar (digital or print) mapping out all major holidays, local bike races, shop events, and school breaks.7. Deep Clean and Reset: Refresh Your EnvironmentThe Task: Throw away that three-year-old expired POP. Get rid of broken fixtures. Pull workbenches away from the walls and scrub down the service area. Invest in new service mats.Here at Workstand, we can literally help you with every single one of these areas—from running that critical inventory audit and cleaning up your POS data, to structuring your team's sales training.Don't just survive the winter; prepare to dominate next season.Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

November 5, 2025Episode 11214 min

Anatomy of a high-converting website - Workstand websites help you grow with these 8 tips

Think about the last time you bought something important. Chances are, you didn't just walk into a store blind. You probably did some online research first. In fact, 83% of consumers now conduct research online before ever setting foot in a physical retail location. This means your website isn't just a digital brochure—it is, more often than not, the first impression a customer has of your entire business.Imagine the busiest day your store has ever had. Now, imagine multiplying the traffic by 20x or even 100x. Our Top 100 dealers in revenue consistently attract an average of 20,000 unique visitors to their website every single month. Imagine 20,000 potential customers walking through your physical front door. That's a massive opportunity! Even with a modest 1% conversion rate, that foot traffic translates directly into 200 sales.David's blog postIs Your Digital Storefront Ready for Business?Here are some essential tips to ensure you have a high-converting website:1. Master Your Homepage HeroThe "above the fold" section—what customers see immediately without scrolling—is your digital elevator pitch.2. Broadcast Brand AuthorityWithin seconds, a visitor needs to know who you partner with. This builds immediate trust and lets them know if you carry the products they're searching for.3. Clearly Showcase Available ServicesThe products you sell are only half the story. Your services differentiate you from big-box retailers and online-only stores.4. Highlight Key Categories (and Seasonal Items)Guide your customers deeper into your site immediately.5. Engage with Third-Party IntegrationsDon't miss a chance to connect with your customers where they live online.6. Grow Your List with a Pop-Up PageThe email list is a powerhouse marketing tool. An offer is the best way to grow it quickly.7. Make Shipping and Policies Crystal ClearNothing kills a sale faster than confusing shipping costs or buried return policies.8. Be Strategic About Product PricingPrice is king, even in a specialty market. Your inventory is an asset—unless it’s priced incorrectly.These eight steps will transform your website from a passive brochure into an active, high-performing revenue generator that treats your visitors with the attention they deserve.Reach out to the Workstand team today, and let's put these conversion-boosting principles into action for you!Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

October 28, 2025Episode 11114 min

4 ways to improve the look and feel of your Workstand website, win more searches, and grow sales

Workstand provides many tools and resources to help your website stand out and to help it be a great resource for shoppers and other cyclists researching their local cycling community. In this episode, we talk about 4 ways to improve the look and feel of your site, from DIY with the help of our Client Success team, all the way to full custom design projects.Help Center - Theme Editor and Page Editor - sample homepage from our libraryHelp Center - Best PracticesHomepage Makeover - $500 USPremium Themes - Semi-Custom designs for $975 USCustom Design Projects - starting around $3,000 US - Examples:https://www.wheatridgecyclery.com/https://www.redbike.ca/https://www.angrycatfishbicycle.com/Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

October 14, 2025Episode 11016 min

Four elements of success many Workstand merchants use to grow sales in a competitive market

Two of the more common questions, especially from stores that are new to the Workstand platform, are ‘what are the keys to selling more?’ and ‘what are the really successful stores doing to grow?’. Generally speaking, a shop needs to have four elements to generate revenue. These four elements work together, and missing just one can kill growth.Products that are in demand - Shops need to have products that customers are searching for. That can be 'the next cool gadget', the hot color way of a bike or helmet, or simply the right size. Supplier Sync items are great, but having products in stock will lead to more sales. I would encourage stores to have a strong representation of a brand instead of 4 headlights from 4 different brands. Watch our recent inventory tips episode for more details on stocking and merchandising strategies and tacticsCompetitive pricing - To have competitive pricing doesn't necessarily mean to have to beat the lowest price on the market, but at least match the lowest price. Online shoppers are inherently looking for deals, so by not being competitive, you are removing your shop from a sales opportunity. Understand when/where you have pricing power and when you don’t Competitive shipping - Nobody wants to pay for shipping. If your shipping rates are not competitive, especially for an item that can be generally purchased from 20 other shops, then you will most likely lose that opportunity. Shipping rates and rules can easily be changed, so take some risk and get a good feel of what works.Leverage Supplier FulfillmentListen to the recent episode where we discuss shipping as a marketing toolGoogle Ads - You can have the above 3 elements covered, but without ads, your products are less likely to be seen. However, without all 3 elements mentioned above, your ads can be ineffective. Bonus - have all of the payment options for customers, Stripe/CCs, PayPal, FinancingFinally, don’t forget the basics. Merchandising matters in the store and on the website. Keep it updated, keep it fresh, keep it seasonally relevant. Most of all, keep it accurate. Provide clear calls to action, focus on providing value and actionable information to your customers/the customers you want.Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInMark Still, Senior Business DevelopmentDavid Martinez, Key Accounts AdvisorWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

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