If you need to repair or service your motorbike or car, what are your options? Well you can take it to a dealership, which is expensive, or you can do it yourself at home. The second option is cheaper, but many people don’t have the space or expertise to do the job. ‘Motormethod’ in Vancouver Canada offers a third option for motorcyclists.

It’s a fully staffed motorcycle repair shop that also rents out bays for bikers to carry out their own DIY repairs and servicing. ‘Motormethod’ provide the space, the tools and even the tuition to help DIY enthusiasts do the job themselves. Bikers pay an annual membership fee and are then able to rent bays by the hour.

At first the business seems counter-intuitive, almost like going into competition with yourself…but I’m not sure that it is. The bay rental fee is extra revenue, and DIY enthusiasts may never spend a penny in the garage if it wasn’t for this facility. Also, by getting them on site, it’s a good opportunity to sell them parts and accessories. In addition, I’m sure some people will decide the whole thing isn’t worth the bother anyway, and hand their bikes over to the professionals.

This is definitely something that could be copied by any car or bike repair facility with spare space. I also wonder what other businesses this principle could be applied to….i.e. providing DIY facilities for new customers and thereby opening up a new revenue stream. Something to think about.

When I was growing up, a neighbour asking to borrow a cup of sugar was a device often used by TV soap operas and situation comedies to bring characters together. I’m not sure whether anyone has ever asked to borrow a cup of sugar, but it’s a concept that has provided the brand for a new company which has recently been set up in Ohio.

The idea behind the company is to allow neighbours to share what they have and borrow what they need. Owners and borrowers start out by registering with the company website and detailing where they live, what they have to lend out and what fee they’d like to receive in return. When a site member wants to borrow a particular item, he can search the website for someone who has it to lend in his area. The borrower contacts the lender through the site and if an agreement is reached, they meet up and do the exchange. Afterwards, there is a facility for leaving feedback.

This is something that could be copied in any area. The key to success will be to get enough members so that there is a good selection of items available. But with many expensive tools and appliances laying dormant for much of the time, this seems like a good way for owners to make some extra money, and borrowers to avoid the hassle and expense of buying and owning something they will use rarely.

It’s no secret that we have an ageing population and that older people tend to be more resistant to using new technology than the young. Having said that, there are undoubtedly  opportunities to use technology to enhance the lives of older people, and some companies are embracing the fact.

Ensemble is a communication and home health care device which features an amplified handset and a large screen with a simplified interface. It can be used to make phone calls, which can be captioned on the screen if needed, and to send and receive emails, text messages and images. It also enables carers and family  to schedule medication reminders, daily check-ins and health surveys. Users can also easily send “help me” requests. The ‘GrandPad’ tablet is a similar device and also  aims to help elderly users stay connected with their families and carers.

Adaptation and simplification of cutting edge technology to meet the needs of older users is likely to be a growing trend. Are there other devices and  functions which could be developed and adapted for an older market? I’m sure there are and a big profit opportunity awaits the companies and individuals that do it.

The internet has enabled companies to implement many innovative pricing models, and I just read about an interesting one from Brazil.

Foot-Trade is a stock exchange for football shirts. The site tracks Brazil’s biggest football teams and adjusts the price of the shirts in real time depending on the progress of each game.  The companies web based app converts statistics including goals, corners and tackles into fluctuating prices.  Users begin by selecting which game they wish to follow, and can complete their transaction at any price that  attracts them during the match.

A couple of questions spring to mind:

1. Who will be first to bring this pricing idea to the UK?

2. What novel pricing structure could you come up with for your product or service?

www.foot-trade.com.br

Do you feel guilty about your holiday travel carbon footprint? Then maybe you should book your hotel through ‘Green Hotel’ World.  It works like a regular hotel booking service with the major difference that it provides information on the green credentials of the hotels being considered and promises to offset 26.6kg Co2 per overnight stay booked through them. Apparently this corresponds to the global average energy use per guest per night.

Carbon offset provides a unique point of difference for this company in what is a pretty crowded market. Might offering  to offset the carbon footprint of using your product attract new customers or retain the ones you already have? This won’t be applicable to everyone, but it’s worth thinking about.

www.greenhotelworld.com