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)
How I Did It: Made My Voice Heard
Andy Massoll, owner of The Detroit Garage in Farmington, Mich., shares how he got the word out about concerns he has for the future of the automotive repair industry.
How I Did It: Tips for Handling COVID-19
A panel discussions on solutions for handling the coronavirus pandemic as a small business owner.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
This week, we’re sharing some acts that were put into motion and share what one shop in Florida is doing to give back. Ratchet+Wrench wants to focus on the positive and what shop owners are doing to help out. If you or someone you know is doing something to help out during this scary time, email [email protected].
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
Each week, Ratchet+Wrench will be bringing you a round-up of the industry's news. Let us know what you think in the comment section below or email associate editor, Tess Collins, at [email protected]. This week, we continue to cover the coronavirus and give an update on the state of the industry, through an index created by Tekmetric and also which states across the country are deeming automotive repair “essential businesses” through a list created by the Automotive Oil Change Association. Let us know what questions you have. What can Ratchet+Wrench do to help during this difficult time? Please let us know!
Grow: Overcoming the Coronavirus Pandemic
With the coronavirus pandemic underway, many shop owners are wondering how to keep business afloat. While some of us have the luxury of working from home (like all of us at Ratchet+Wrench), shop owners don't have that choice. So, how can shop owners get through this difficult time and keep business going? President and shop owner, Jimmy Alauria of 3A Automotive Service, and one of this year's Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference speakers, talks with our staff writer, Abby Patterson, on how shops can stay proactive. For all of the latest coronavirus news, stay up to date with the latest in Ratchet+Wrench's coverage.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
In this week's round-up, we discuss the coronavirus and share what some shop owners are doing to handle the situation.
Lead: Community Outreach
Recorded live at VISION, Aaron Stokes and associate editor Tess Collins discuss the recent tornado in Nashville (1:45), what he's doing to help out those impacted (2:30, how giving back helps with marketing (4:30) and culture (6:00). Also, stay tuned for a behind-the-scenes recording (8:25) of Aaron, Tess and VP of content and events, Bryce Evans, before the podcast.
Listen: This Week’s Top News Stories
In this week's round-up, we touch on the Nashville tornado, the coronavirus and Amazon's implications on the auto industry.
Innovate: A Tire Changing Robot
Victor Darolfi, founder and CEO of RoboTire, discusses the inspiration behind his company (1:00), hesitations that he’s met from independent auto repair shop owners (3:00) and how the system works (5:10). Darolfi then discusses where RoboTire currently is (12:00), including Dave Toole’s shop, Toole’s Garage in San Carlos, Calif. He also discusses what is probably the biggest obstacle standing in the way of shop owners investing in this—price (16:00).
Weekly News Round Up: March 3, 2020
Welcome to the first-ever weekly news round-up podcast from Ratchet+Wrench. This week, Ratchet+Wrench reports on vehicle inspection news.
From the Editors: How Underdogs Triumph Over Adversity
What do Kobe Bryant, Ben Hogan and the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team have in common? They were all underdogs who used their unique approaches to stay focused on their processes—to unbelievable results. In this episode of From the Editors, vice president of content Bryce Evans and editorial director Anna Zeck dive deeper into three unique stories of triumphing over adversity, and how this month’s feature on the Best Workplaces ties into that concept (2:00). On the 40th anniversary of their historic win against the Soviet Union, we take a look at Herb Brooks’ unique strategy for coaching the U.S. Olympic Hockey team (4:50). Next, we discuss one of Bryce’s favorite golfers, Ben Hogan, who dominated the scene in the late 1940s and early 1950s, despite numerous injuries and disadvantages. Finally, Kobe Bryant’s untimely death resurfaced a powerful speech from his jersey retirement (14:50). All three of those iconic underdogs took their (real or perceived) disadvantages starting out and turned them into benefits (16:43). They were able to focus on the journey and their processes, instead of the results, which ultimately guided their careers. As leaders, it’s important not to get caught up in the goals and the results, and instead focus on how you can get there (16:43). That’s exactly what the receivers of Ratchet+Wrench’s first-ever Best Workplaces did, to great effect.
How I Did It: Created the Best Workplaces
In this special podcast, the winners of Ratchet+Wrench’s inaugural Best Workplace awards sound off on what makes their shops worthy of the title. Chip Broemmer, owner of Advanced Car Care, shares how he worked with his staff in order to allow him to be able to provide tools to his technicians (1:00); Bryan Gossel, owner of BG Automotive, shares how he maintains his award-winning culture across multiple locations (5:35); and Ricky Jordan, one of the owners of Fifth Gear Automotive, shares what he believes puts his shop above the rest.
Grow: Sticking to Your Goals
It's fun to make New Year's resolutions, but so many of us struggle to stick to them. In fact, a recent study from Strava found that approx. 80 percent of people who make New Year's resolutions drop them by the second week of February (so, yeah, right about now). If you are one of the many that contribute to this statistic, it may be time to find a better approach. On this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, we're talking with Jim Murphy, a business coach with Elite Worldwide, on the best ways to identify (15:00) and stick to your personal and business goals (3:44, 4:58, 8:30, 9:04), including how they relate to one another (1:24) and when it's time to reassess them (5:23, 13:53). We even discuss a personal goal to visit every U.S. National Park, one shared between R+W staff writer, Abby Patterson, and Murphy (2:43). Here's some more insight on achieving your goals: Reach Your Goal: https://www.ratchetandwrench.com/articles/8606-reach-your-goal Proper Goal Setting: https://www.ratchetandwrench.com/articles/9222-proper-goal-setting
Lead: Increase ARO
Monthly guest Aaron Stokes shares his secrets for increasing ARO.
Innovate: Tips for Creating a Podcast
Monthly guest Frank Leutz, a podcast guru, shares how to make your own podcast. 1:00: Introduction 5:15: Why you should have a podcast 7:30: Business plan for your podcast 11:30 Format and structure of the podcast 12:30 Podcast logo 14:00 Getting ideas for content 22:30: Recording, broadcasting and editing 27:30: Grow your audience 32:30: Podcast payoff 38:00: Wrap-up
From The Editors: The New Golden Rule of Leadership
In the inaugural episode of From the Editors, vice president of content Bryce Evans and editorial director Anna Zeck break down the biggest stories in the February issue of Ratchet+Wrench. First, the two discuss the shift in leadership styles over the years (anyone remember lots of yelling from their high school coaches?), why it’s important to serve your teams, and how to put each team member in the best position to succeed (2:22). Next, learn exactly how to implement “the new golden rule of leadership,” which involves leading employees how they need to be led (6:30). To round out the issue, find out columnist Aaron Stokes’ tips for getting out of a rut and how to stay motivated when the best direction to take is unclear (10:20). And finally, get a behind-the-scenes look at Ratchet+Wrench’s latest launch, the ADAPT: Automotive Technology Summit, happening May 31-June 2 in Nashville (12:15).
How I Did It: Attracted the Next Generation
Casey Welch, CEO and co-founder of Tallo, a hiring platform, shares how shop owners can attract Generation Z and how they're different from Millennials. 2:00 minute mark: Who Gen Z is 3:00 minute mark: How Gen Z differs from Millennials 6:00 minute mark: Gen Z's similarities to the Baby Boomers 7:30 minute mark: How to attract these job candidates 11:00 minute mark: What Gen Z is looking for in an employer
How I Did It: Hired Outside My Comfort Zone
Grote Industries was recently highlighted by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb for its partnership with Ivy Tech Community College and the Indiana Department of Correction. Through the program, Grote provides workplace experience and training, as well as opportunities for permanent employment to women returning to the workforce. Andrew Garrett, human resources officer at Grote, discusses the benefits to the program and why automotive repair shop owners should consider getting involved in something similar.
Lead: The KPI You Should be Tracking
Monthly guest Aaron Stokes shares his pick for the KPI you should be tracking (but probably aren't) and how to go about improving it.
Grow: Expand Your Marketing Tactics
This week on Ratchet+Wrench Radio, we talk with two marketing experts from Podium on how to up your game in the marketing playing field.
Innovate: Master Publicity
Publicity is a great way to reach customers, but not every shop owner is trained for it. Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care of Chandler, and co-host Susie Wong, discuss the dos and don’ts of a press release, how to attract the media and how to prepare for a TV appearance. Hear more from Frank at http://bit.ly/WrenchNation
Lead: Dealing with a Toxic Employee
Aaron Stokes shares how negative staff members can disrupt the entire business, how to prevent it from happening and how to know when enough is enough.
How I Did It: Creating a Solution to a Problem
Tom Burden, founder of Grypmat, shares the inspiration behind his tool tray, which was named one of Time's Best Inventions of 2018, and his advice on finding your inner problem-solver.
Innovate: Create a Marketing Calendar
Frank Leutz and co-hose Susie Wong break down their marketing calendar and provide tips so others can create their own for the upcoming year.
Grow: Recruiting the Best
Jason Stretch, owner of Legendary Automotive and Truck Service, discusses the importance of recruiting and his approach to the process.