Ratchet+Wrench Radio
Ratchet+Wrench
Updated 3 days agoRatchet+Wrench Radio offers four tracks each month that explore the industry's biggest trends, most pressing topics, and the leadership and business management tips and strategies you need to thrive.
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Episodes (473)
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
In this week's news round-up, we touch on the Moving Forward Act and the most commonly delayed maintenance.
Grow: Breaking Down Coronavirus Loans
Did you know there have been 20 updates—yes, 20—to the Paycheck Protection Program since it's release mid-March? That's all according to Brad Mewes, Principal at Supplement Advisory, an automotive advisory firm, who has been helping business owners across the country on the confusing and crazy process these past couple of months. Listen to Mewes sit down with staff writer Abby Patterson as they hash out all of the new details on the PPP, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and other loans you might not even know about. Wanting to still apply last minute? Here are some go-to resources: MBE Capital Partners BlueVine Capital Inc. And for those of you looking for further help, reach out to Brad Mewes at [email protected].
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
This week, updates on the EIDL and the Right to Repair.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
This week, the industry mourns the passing of three trailblazers and looks at traffic trends as states begin to open up.
Lead: Becoming a Voice for the Industry
From almost filing bankruptcy to speaking to thousands, Aaron Stokes has become an inspiration to those in the industry. Here's how he found his voice.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
Last week, there was movement made to address issues small business owners have been running into in regard to government funding. If you are a minority business still in need of PPP funding, please click here.
Innovate: Influencer Marketing
Frank Leutz is back and he discusses influencer marketing and hot to use it to tap into an existing community of engaged followers.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
This week, we take a look at what's new as far as funding for small business during the coronavirus and OSHA's new requirements for the coronavirus. For more information, click here. Email associate editor Tess Collins at [email protected] for more information and to let us know what type of news you'd like to hear more of.
How I Did It: Kept My Business Alive
Columnist Joe Marconi, owner of Osceola Garage, which is located in New York, one of the hardest hit areas of the pandemic, had to make many difficult decisions in order to keep his shop afloat. In this podcast, he shares what the past few months have looked like for him.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
A Facebook survey reveals what the future holds for many small businesses and a trend between ARO and the stay-at-home orders is revealed.
Lead: Fear Is Contagious
Whether or not you support his views on the coronavirus or not, monthly guest Aaron Stokes has a point: fear is contagious. As a leader, it's up to you to set the tone for your customers and employees.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
As stay-at-home orders begin to lift, the automotive repair industry shows signs of returning to somewhat normalcy. What's it looking like where you are? Email associate editor Tess Collins at [email protected] to let us know.
Grow: An Additional Profit Center
Face masks have become a wardrobe staple. In order to put customers at ease and keep employees safe, wearing them is essential during the pandemic. Associate editor Tess Collins speaks with NxTSTOP CEO Brendan Kennedy about why auto repair shop owners need to invest in this protection and how they can turn it into an additional profit center. NxTSTOP is an apparel company that has shifted its focus to making masks during the pandemic. Visit https://thenxtstop.com/ to order. For bulk orders, visit https://thenxtstop.com/pages/bulk-orders.
From The Editors: The Mindset Every Leader Needs to Adopt
Anyone else tired of talking about COVID-19? So are we. In this month's From the Editors, Bryce and Anna stop talking about the problems this pandemic has presented, and instead talk about the opportunity. Regardless of how this has impacted you or what you think of it, the only real option is to find solutions and the best path forward. Bad situations show people's true colors, and this can be a real launching pad for your business. Either way, we’re moving forward with a different landscape and you can choose to have it be a burden or you can use it as an opportunity for change and evolution.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
This week, Ratchet+Wrench shares signs things may be returning to normal and an update on government funding.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
This week, we look at what the SBA is doing to ensure small businesses get their PPP money, a possible "Cash For Clunkers" reappearance and what Google and Apple are doing to fight the pandemic. To reach out to congress about the Cash for Clunkers, click here. It’s the beginning of a new month. How is your business doing? Are things returning to normal? Getting worse? Let us know. Email me at [email protected]
Innovate: Marking During a Crisis
Rissy Sutherland, one of the foremost experts in shop operations, president of SRS+Co, former shop owner and Ratchet+Wrench columnist, leads a panel discussion on marketing during the coronavirus on what shop owners should be doing now moving into the summer months.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Story
This week, Ratchet+Wrench is providing an update on the funding available to small business owners. For more information, click here: A breakdown of government funding available Tekmetric blog “The Latest on Paycheck Protection Program for Auto Repair Shops It’s almost May and we’re curious, how are you holding up? Have you seen business pick up? What questions can we help you answer? Email [email protected] with any questions or business updates you have!
Grow: Adapting to an Online Chat Platform
When you think of customer service, what's the first thing that comes to mind? For a lot of people, especially Millennials and Gen-Zers, it's all about convenience; customers will go to the first place that can get them what they need. A way to provide that convenient, 24/7 service? Utilizing an online chat platform. In this episode of the Grow segment, Ratchet+Wrench staff writer Abby Patterson sat down with Rob Infantino, founder and CEO of Openbay, about the opportunities that an online chat platform can bring to the table.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
This week, Ratchet+Wrench shares an update on federal lending and options that shops have.
Lead: Boost Morale
During this difficult time, it can be hard to put on a happy face. But, as the leader of your operation, it's up to you to encourage your employees and help them through. Monthly guest Aaron Stokes offers up words of encouragement.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
This week’s round-up includes announcements from OEMs and industry organizations due to the coronavirus. For more information on the Transformer’s Institute course, click here: For more insight into the EV study mentioned, click here.
Innovate: Changing Up Business Practices
With the coronavirus pandemic affecting businesses worldwide, the essential businesses are able to keep their doors open. But even with this, auto repair shop operators are having to get creative with their business practices. Dwayne Myers, owner of Dynamic Automotive, Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speaker, and All-Star Award winner, talks with staff writer Abby Patterson about ways they've switched up usual business practices to keep the business moving.
From the Editors: COVID-19 Survival Tips
In this episode of From the Editors, Bryce and Anna recap the many conversations they've had with shop owners and industry stakeholders to present the very best tips, strategies and insights for successfully getting your shop through COVID-19. From workflow to financial assistance to leadership, learn the strategies working for the industry's best operators.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
Last week, we continued to cover the coronavirus and the impact that it’s had on the automotive industry, including a very special panel discussion with Rissy Sutherland of SRS & Co., Jimmy Alauria of 3A Automotive & Diesel Repair, Bob Redding of Automotive Service Association - ASA and Greg Buckley of Buckley's Auto Care. To listen, click here. The industry continues to support auto repair shop owners by offering online training and webinars, which can be linked to within this story. Another very important development for small business owners, The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship issued information about major programs that will soon be available from the Small Business Association, which Jim Murphy, pro service coach with Elite, was kind enough to share with Ratchet+Wrench. Link here. What can we help you with in the coming weeks? Please email me and let me know at [email protected]