What makes a Good Salesman

Two essentials

1) Ability to feel aka empathy

He senses the reactions of the customer and is able to adjust to those reactions. He is not simply bound by a prepared sales pitch, but he functions in terms of the real interaction between himself and the customer. 

Sensing what the customer is feeling, he is able to change pace, double back on his track, and make whatever creative modifications might be necessary to home in on the target and close the sale.

2) Need to conquer aka ego drive

This will makes him want and need to make the sale in a personal or ego way, not merely for the money to be gained.

A subtle balance must be found between (a) an ego partially weakened in precisely the right way to need a great deal of enhancement (the sale) and (b) an ego sufficiently strong to be motivated by failure but not to be shattered by it.

Before you make that big decision

 1. Check for self -interested biases

Is there any reason to suspect the person making the recommendation of errors motivated by self interest?

Review the proposal with extra care, especially for over optimism.

2. Check for affect heuristic

Had the person fallen in love with its proposal?

Rigourously apply all the quality controls on this checklist.

3. Check for groupthink

Were there dissenting opinions within the team? Were they explored adequately?

Solicit dissenting views, discretely if necessary.

4. Check for saliency bias

Could the diagnosis be overly influenced by an analogy to a memorable success? 

Ask for more analogies, and rigorously analyse their similarity to the current situation.

5. Check for confirmation bias

Are credible alternatives included along with the recommendation?

Request additional options.

6. Check for availability bias

If you had to make this decision again in a year's time, what information would you want, and can you get more of it now?

Use checklists of the data needed for each kind of decision.

7. Check for anchoring bias

Do you know where the numbers come from? Can there be unsubstantiated numbers, extrapolation from history, a motivation to use a certain anchor?

Reanchor with figures generated by other models, or benchmarks, and request new analysis

8. Check for halo effect

Eliminate false inferences , and ask the team to seek additional comparable examples.

9. Check for sunk cost fallacy ,endowment effect

Are the recommenders overly attached to a history of past decisions?

Consider the issue as if you were a new CEO.

10. Check for overconfidence, planning fallacy, optimistic biases ,competitor neglect

Is the base case overly optimistic?

Have the team build a case taking the outside view, use war games

11. Check for disaster neglect

Is the worst case bad enough?

Have the team conduct a pre-mortem, imagine that the worst has happened and develop a story about the causes

12. Check for loss aversion

Is the recommending team overly cautious?

Realign incentives to share responsibility for the risk or to remove risk.

Elite Workstand Team Review (2025): A Singaporean Cyclist's Verdict

Attention all bike enthusiasts. If you’ve ever found yourself crouched on your HDB corridor floor, trying to tune a derailleur with one hand while balancing your bike with the other, you know the frustration. DIY bike maintenance without the right tools can be a back-breaking, grease-stained hassle. You know you need a proper workstand, but the market is a minefield. Flimsy stands can be dangerously unstable, while premium ones command a serious price.

This review is a long-term, hands-on test of the Elite Workstand Team. After three months of regular use—from simple weekly washes to a full groupset swap—we're here to determine if its stability and professional-grade features justify the investment for the typical Singaporean home mechanic.

We’ll break down its rock-solid stability, ease of use, and HDB-friendliness to help you decide if this is the last workstand you'll ever need to buy.

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First Impressions: Built to Last

Right out of the box, the Elite Workstand Team makes its intentions clear. The steel tubing feels substantial and the overall weight inspires confidence. Unlike lighter, budget-friendly options, there's no sense of flimsy plastic or questionable joints. Assembly was refreshingly simple; I had it unfolded and ready to clamp a bike in under five minutes, no instructions needed. The build quality immediately suggests this is a tool designed for serious, repeated use.

In the Workshop: Real-World Performance

A workstand's true value is revealed when you're wrestling with a stubborn component. Here’s how the Elite Workstand Team performed.

The Four-Leg Advantage: Unshakeable Stability

This is the workstand's standout feature. The four-legged base creates an incredibly stable platform. While performing high-torque tasks like removing pedals or a tight bottom bracket—jobs that can make lesser three-legged stands wobble or tip—the Elite stand remained completely planted. There was no unnerving sway, allowing me to apply force with confidence. For anyone working on heavier mountain bikes or e-bikes, this stability is not just a luxury; it's a necessity.

The Clamp: Secure, Safe, and Simple

The clamp is the heart of any workstand, and Elite has designed an excellent one. The large, ergonomic knob allows for quick, one-handed adjustments, so you can hold the bike in place with one hand while securing it with the other. The jaws are lined with soft, replaceable rubber that grips securely without damaging paint. Most importantly for owners of modern bikes, the fine control over clamping pressure gives you peace of mind when working with delicate carbon fibre frames or aero seatposts. The 360-degree rotation is smooth and locks firmly, making it effortless to switch between working on the drivetrain and bleeding the brakes.

Portability and Storage: Is it HDB-Friendly?

Here's the crucial trade-off. The stability comes from its robust construction, which makes it heavier than many competitors. While not something you'd want to carry for long distances, its folding mechanism is brilliant. It collapses down into a surprisingly compact and manageable shape. I had no trouble storing it in my HDB bomb shelter, where it took up minimal floor space. It’s the perfect solution for someone who needs professional stability at home but needs to pack it away after each use.

The Price of Quality: Drawbacks to Consider

No product is perfect. While the Elite Workstand Team excels in its core function, there are two key points to consider.

• The Investment: This is a premium workstand with a price to match. It costs significantly more than entry-level stands found on online marketplaces. However, this should be viewed as a long-term investment in your hobby. The durability ensures it will last for years, unlike cheaper alternatives that often fail within a year or two of regular use.

• Limited Accessories: The stand does not come with a tool tray included. While not a deal-breaker, it's a feature that is often standard with other premium stands. You may need to factor in the small additional cost of purchasing a compatible tray.

Comparison with Alternatives

Feature	Elite Workstand Team	Budget Amazon Stand	Park Tool PCS-10.3
Price	Premium	Low	High-Mid
Base Type	4-Leg Folding	2/3-Leg Tripod	3-Leg Tripod
Stability	Excellent	Fair to Poor	Very Good
Max Load	~50 kg	~25 kg	~36 kg
Best For	Serious home mechanics needing maximum stability.	Basic cleaning and light adjustments.	All-around reliability and brand recognition.

The Verdict: Who Should Buy the Elite Workstand Team?

This workstand isn't for everyone, but for a specific type of cyclist, it's a perfect match.

The Ideal User: The Serious Home Mechanic

If you perform most of your own maintenance, work on multiple bikes (especially heavier ones), and value uncompromising stability, this is the stand for you. It provides a professional-grade experience that makes every maintenance task easier and safer.

Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?

If you only need a stand for occasional chain cleaning and you prioritise portability and low cost above all else, a lighter, more basic model might suffice.

Conclusion: A Rock-Solid Foundation for Your Hobby

The Elite Workstand Team is an exceptional piece of equipment. It delivers on its promise of professional-level stability in a smart, foldable package suitable for home use. Its higher price and weight are direct trade-offs for its incredible performance and durability. For the committed Singaporean cyclist looking to elevate their home workshop, the Elite Workstand Team is a top-tier investment that eliminates frustration and empowers you to take better care of your bikes. It’s a classic case of "buy nice, or buy twice"—and this is a tool you'll only have to buy once.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is the Elite Workstand Team safe to use with carbon fibre bike frames?

A: Yes. The clamp offers micro-adjustability and protective rubber jaws, allowing you to apply just enough pressure to hold the bike securely without crushing delicate carbon tubing. For maximum safety, it is always recommended to clamp onto the alloy or carbon seatpost rather than a frame tube.

Q2: How does its stability compare to more common three-legged tripod stands?

A: The four-leg base provides a significantly more stable platform, especially on flat indoor surfaces. It excels when you need to apply heavy force, such as when removing a stubborn bottom bracket, virtually eliminating the tipping or wobbling that can occur with some tripod designs.

Q3: What is the maximum weight capacity of the Elite Workstand Team?

A: The Elite Workstand Team has a manufacturer-stated maximum load capacity of 50 kg (110 lbs), making it more than capable of handling even the heaviest downhill mountain bikes or e-bikes with ease.