Visiting clients on a bike?

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mimico_polak

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Anyone here in outside sales? Visiting clients around the area? Travelling back and forth b/w job sites and client offices?

I've had some success moving forward in sales role interviews and am considering if this is something that can be an option? It combines both my enjoyment of riding, and technical sales in one package. I know if equipment needs to be shown / presented then obviously it's a non-starter.

However, if it's client calls to visit clients around Ontario do you think it's acceptable to ride? Helmet hair, not dressed 'professionally' because of the gear...Obviously the first visit or two should be in a car, dressed nicely and put forward a nice image. However once a relationship builds do you think it's possible to travel on a bike?

Thoughts or opinions?
 
I'd personally cage it. Gotta maintain appearances in a sales role.
 
There can be a lot of dirt, bugs and debris accumulate on your clothe over the time of travel, which will affect appearance.
 
It depends on the industry. And the type of customer they are. If its more a machine shop type or more of an OEM type of sale.

If it is more of an OEM type of sale - showing up on a motorcycle with grease hair and smelling like gas might be bad.

You are representing your company - is the biker image a good representation of your company's image?
 
Although, it would be a nice idea. I agree professional image is important. Not sure how your potential employer would view it. If I were hiring and one was going to visit clients on a bike... the other candidate gets the position.
 
I agree with all the posters above me. Definately need to start in a car, until you have a professional relationship with the clients.

A car/van/truck is the correct and best tool for the job. Riding a motorcycle could be perceived as your priorities are not 100% into the job and client. You could also be viewed as a risk taker, and companies do everything to avoid any form of risk, or association with risks.

Another thing to consider would be insurance. I am sure your insruance would be affected if you're using your motorcycle as a business vehicle.

Goodluck with everything! I sincerely wish you the best in your job search. I do think that it could be a viable option at times with some clients.
 
I think it really depends on the field. Luckily I work in the motorsports field where cool vehicles are an extension of what we do so a motorcycle, sports car or jacked up truck is actually a benefit to show up in. I tend to cycle through my vehicles and always get the "whats cool that your driving today?" question from my clients.
 
As owner I can generally do what I like and have often met clients and even delivered laptops plus my adventure blog for KLR650 Down Under is part of the marketing.
Depends on the client tho - ours are mostly creative pros and are gnarly SOBs themselves.
Button down types we don't deal with much and if you are employed ....your employer has a say in it.
 
Thanks for the input everyone I appreciate it.

I didn't even consider the risk and insurance implications to both clients and employer. I guess I got a bit ahead of myself as it seemed it would be the perfect joining.

The position calls for dealing with end users, municipalities, contractors, and engineers....so definitely on the more professional end of it.

Now if I could get my own business off the ground I may not need to worry so much about it! LoL But I will ask the employer (if I get the job and I'm there for a few months) if it's acceptable or not.

Ah well it's good to dream right!
 
I've done a few where it wasn't to far off the wall.

I've picked up small parts locally and been greeted with "Cool, I'm jealous."

I did an out of town tech evaluation as a freebie because I included it as part of a ride. Two hours to Trenton and the rest of day to come back. :)

I delivered some parts to Port Carling. They didn't care as long as they got their parts.

Generally speaking, I wouldn't do it as a regular thing unless the client knew I was a rider and the call was more of a friendly drop in.

I run my own company so policy isn't an issue.

The trips are so rare it wouldn't be an vehicle insurance issue.

Security can be an issue if carrying a laptop or delivering urgent or sensitive parts.

Communications can be a problem.

Parking can be an issue. Some places don't allow bikes. (Rant)
 
Perhaps reevaluate your profession if you have to ask this question

What will you do in the event of rain, I would hope you wouldnt cancel the meeting.
Road debris?
Do you want to appear professional?
Do you want to be known as a bike guy? the risk taker?
Is the bike efficient to transport whatever equipment you need, laptop, notebooks etc.
What if your client tries to contact you when you are enroute with no access to communication?
Do you want to transform your bike into a utilitarian tool, rather than a pleasure vehicle?
How do your clients dress?

Sometimes is just good to have side hobbies, rather then have that define who you are...
 
SlayerofSouls said:
Perhaps reevaluate your profession if you have to ask this question

What will you do in the event of rain, I would hope you wouldnt cancel the meeting.
Road debris?
Do you want to appear professional?
Do you want to be known as a bike guy? the risk taker?
Is the bike efficient to transport whatever equipment you need, laptop, notebooks etc.
What if your client tries to contact you when you are enroute with no access to communication?
Do you want to transform your bike into a utilitarian tool, rather than a pleasure vehicle?
How do your clients dress?

Sometimes is just good to have side hobbies, rather then have that define who you are...
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Very well said. Thanks.
 
Plus it's also like colognes at interviews....it may be enough to rub someone the wrong way. - you can't control this type of thing but it definitely happens.
 
I would never visit a new customer on my bike but I use it all the time to visit existing customers. If I have to travel for a few hours to see a customer I'd rather do it on my bike than in a cage. An added bonus is mileage, last year I went to inspect a job I sold in Windsor, the mileage cash bought me a new set of tires. Over the years I've gotten pretty good at finding the remote part of company parking lots to allow me to get our of my riding suit and put on my suit jacket. I get the occasional chuckle from my customers when they notice my Sidi's under my dress pants.
 
I've done it off and on for years, my Company is pretty old school in the sales approach, but if you bring in gross profit dollars you can walk through the office with your wiener out. I have visited new clients, they have no idea how I arrived at the meeting. Comb out the helmet head and shake out the wrinkles. But for my suit and tie clients I rather take the car, I can conduct a lot of business driving and just being on the phone, a hour drive to a client may have had two or three calls in it. Fridays when I like to be off the radar and its sunny the bike is pretty nice.

The thing about sales is my bike doesn't define me or reflect unless the client wants to talk about bikes, he likes golf, then we are talking golf. Karate? I know nothing but I will listen while you talk about it. Want to tell me all about your PVA glue experience on humid day, if it means relationship building and I now know you worry about glue on humid days, alright then. When I come to visit are you looking forward to the meeting? then we are on the right page.
 
FiReSTaRT said:
I'd personally cage it. Gotta maintain appearances in a sales role.
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it all depends on your personality and the brand/company you represent. Some people can pull it off some can't...

If I was our Oakley rep I'd sure as **** be riding around on a Ducati (Oakley does Ducati/MotoGP frames) with a bold Oakley bag going around doing visits/taking orders. It fits right in with the brand image, I'd literally look like the dude right off the poster.

Its helps if you're relatively young, fit and decent looking no matter what anyone says. If you're a fat old scraggly bastard its just not gonna look right...
 
LoneRonin said:
Its helps if you're relatively young, fit and decent looking no matter what anyone says. If you're a fat old scraggly bastard its just not gonna look right...
Click to expand...

What about all the Harley crowd? Surely they can pull it off too.
 
nobbie48 said:
I don't care. I still did it. :)
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lol, that's why I can't wait til I eventually take over the reigns from parents and start running the business myself. I'm just gonna leave a change of clothes at work, ride everyday and do what I want...

mimico_polak said:
What about all the Harley crowd? Surely they can pull it off too.
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sure if they're selling a HD product. I was referring to Oakley though and no way would a HD biker fit in with that brand image, or a guy on any cruiser for that matter...
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