I still remember a project well, a few years ago: I once fell on my bike on the way to a customer. I simply slipped on wet leaves. It can happen. In the fall. So I stood in front of the customers with torn pants and abrasions. A workshop for glassblowers. Real rough guys. Tough dogs. And in front of you, in the meeting room, is the guy with the torn pants after falling off his bike. As if nothing had happened, I went through the workshop with them. I was really well received by the glassblowers. During the course of the very successful project, they repeatedly asked me about this encounter and always greeted me in a friendly manner on the factory premises. Was with them simply "the one with the wheel" ...
Despite the climate debate, the carbon footprint of travel costs, and the beautiful environmental reports from corporations, it still takes courage to arrive by bicycle. Sales colleagues continue to advise me against it. They say it's not professional.
But many of my top management clients think it's great, they appreciate the individuality and individualists. Since I specialize in production and logistics, I often talk to commercial employees. They love it.
Even at the first contact with a customer, you can make an impression if you drive up with a rental bike and park it quickly and calmly at the gatekeeper's desk.
Since I often have projects that last several months, I always treat myself to a "project bike". Whether from the local bike-sharing provider (now almost everywhere a matter of course) or bought locally used.
I arrive fresh and rested. As a rule, I drive about 30 minutes from the hotel to the customer.
No need to search for a parking space, saving time and nerves
In consulting teams I am free. I don't have to take anyone with me by car and I don't have to be taken by anyone.
I am mobile and fast on larger factory sites.
After work, the free time begins. Put on jeans, look around.
The sports program is already done after work. I still wear slim fit suits 😉
Sure, I don't bike from Munich to the customer. I come by train. Basically and as a matter of course. Is it still possible to take the train these days? Despite more and more delays and missed connections. I think so. And a simple calculation confirms it for me.
Car trip takes three and a half hours. If I'm lucky or can avoid rush hour, even without traffic jams. The pure train journey, on the other hand, takes four hours, three of which I work. The journey from home to the station takes 30 minutes, and from the destination station to the customer another 30 minutes. I work three hours on the train. I subtract 1.5 hours from that, which the journey by train and bicycle takes longer. Then I've gained a net 90 minutes, of which I've done an hour of exercise and enjoyed an hour more of quality of life on the train, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.
And the delays. Are annoying, just now it is getting better again. But they are also working and living time. And in any case, they are more pleasant to spend in an ICE train than in a traffic jam on the highway.
If you're going to stand out, you've got to drive a car worthy of the state, right? Does that still apply. Have times changed? What do you think?
I have been travelling to clients like this for several years. Based on this experience, what works well — and what should be taken into account?
It rains in Germany, of course. Especially in the countryside it is important to know where you can get a cab.
My suit with suithanger is in the office.
Two bikes are ideal. One project bike and one bike at home and for the home office.
If you have to go further away, for example from Munich to Hamburg, or if you have to fly: for 50 euros Hermes will send a bicycle from your home to your hotel.
In the beginning, I often bought and resold used bikes at the project site. Not really fun if you want to be nippy on the road.
Regularly with ICE to take a bike is difficult. Seats are limited and must be booked in advance. If you want to take a train an hour later, you get a problem.
For shorter stays with customers: Bikesharing is now available at many locations. The only downer: When will there be an app that bundles all bikesharing providers?
