Ratchet+Wrench Radio
Ratchet+Wrench
Updated 1 day 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 (481)
How I Did It: Creating an Effective Culture
John Beebe, owner of Bellingham Automotive and Burlington Automotive in Washington, discusses how he's been able to create a culture that retains employees.
Lead: A Full Leadership Self-Evaluation
In this month's episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Aaron Stokes speaks on the best ways for owners to assess their leadership skills, as well as how their managing style affects the employees at their shop.
Grow: Building Leaders with the Right Tools
Sally Thomas, co-owner and president of Thomas Tire & Automotive, discusses ways to give staff more leadership opportunities, and how it's helped her become a better leader herself.
How I Did It: Becoming a Marketing Master
Servando Orozco, CEO and owner of Orozco's Auto Service in Long Beach, Calif., details how he has been able to become a "marketing guru" within the industry.
Innovate: Feeding the Monster
On this week's Innovate episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Laurie Guest, professional customer service expert, details the best way to add new and creative business ideas intended to boost customer satisfaction.
Grow: Become a Talent Magnet
On this month's Grow episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Rick White, president and lead coach of 180Biz, shares his tips for improving shop culture in order to attract the best talent in the industry.
Lead: Perfecting Staff Meetings
Monthly guest and Ratchet+Wrench columnist Aaron Stokes shares his tips on how to take control of staff meetings and get each team member on board to achieve success.
How I Did It: Forming a Successful Auto Repair Coalition
Shop owner Gary Uhlman discusses the importance of his non-profit organization, the Mid-Atlantic Auto Repair Coalition (MARC), and gives tips on how other owners can get involved or start their own.
Innovate: Solving the Diagnostics Training Dilemma
Shop owner John Bridgwater speaks on the importance of investing in your technicians' diagnostic training.
How I Did it: Moving Away From Transactional Relationships
Jason Malo, vice president of Advanced Automotive Performance in Uxbridge, Mass., speaks on how his shop has been able to gain profits by approaching customer relationships as a long-term investment.
Lead: Identifying Opportunity
In this month's Lead podcast, Aaron Stokes discusses some signs of opportunity shop owners should look out for when wanting to grow.
Innovate: A Creative Take on Shop Culture
Wayne Whitworth speaks on the strong company culture at Schertz Auto Service in Schertz, Texas, and the unique projects they collaborate on to make it happen.
Grow: Finding Your Passion
In this week's Grow podcast, Ratchet+Wrench columnist Rissy Sutherland speaks with Tekmetric owner and shop owner Sunil Patel about his unique journey into the industry.
How I Did It: Mastering the Call
Nancy Friedman, founder of Telephone Doctor, details the importance of customer service and shares her top tips for mastering customer calls.
Lead: The Danger with Taking Risks
Aaron Stokes details what every shop owner needs to consider when taking a large risk in their business.
Innovate: Marketing with a Personal Touch
For years, Bockman's Auto has sent out holiday cards and "Christmas in July" coupons to its clients for an estimated $40,000 boost or so. Learn the ROI secrets from owner Jon Bockman.
Innovate: Bruce Howes and the Power of Process Maps
Bruce Howes is the owner of Atlantic Motorcar Center in Wiscasset, Maine. For years, Howes has used process maps to train his staff, run his shop, and ensure success.
Innovate: Extreme Ownership Yields Success
Lucas Underwood is the owner of L & N Performance Parts in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Today on R+W Radio, Lucas shares how rewarding—and simple—it is to go the extra step for your clients, and what the concept of extreme ownership means to him.
Lead: Never Stop Advertising
Pre-sell. Be a promoter. And never, ever stop advertising. This week on Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Aaron Stokes tells it like it is.
Innovate: Old-School Media for New-School Customers
Jeff Matt is the owner of Victory Auto Service & Glass, a six-shop operation in Minnesota (five) and Florida(one). Today, Matt shares his experience working at a shop where customer service was nonexistent, and how he leveraged that experience into a successful multi-shop business (and the old-school media he uses to keep it going).
How I Did It: Weathering the Storm in Nome, Alaska
Rolland Trowbridge is the owner/operator of Trinity Sails & Repair in Nome, Alaska, the only shop for hundreds of miles. Perched on the western coast of Alaska at the edge of the Arctic Sea, Trowbridge faces some unique shop challenges in the frozen north. Hear the conclusion of his story in part 2 of 2 this week.
How I Did It: Weathering the Storm in Nome, Alaska
Rolland Trowbridge is the owner/operator of Trinity Sails & Repair in Nome, Alaska, the only shop for hundreds of miles. Perched on the western coast of Alaska at the edge of the Arctic Sea, Trowbridge faces some unique shop challenges in the frozen north. Hear his story in part 1 of 2 this week.
Grow: No Business is an Island
Robert Ohlman's shop was struggling. He found a mentor, however, and things started to change—he listened, learned, and turned his process around. Now Tony's Brake & Alignment is thriving. Hear his story today on Ratchet+Wrench Radio.
Lead: Don’t Wait ’til the End of the Month
"Don't wait 'til the end of the month!" This is great advice for just about anyone. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, shop owner and R+W columnist Aaron Stokes describes the challenges and opportunities when month-end rolls around and your numbers aren't where you want them to be. Football fans will appreciate his AFC title match comparison to running a shop, and bonus: Stokes shares his Super Bowl prediction.
How I Did It: Treat Your Staff
Matthew Roayaee, owner of Auto Check Elite in Katy, Texas, boosts company morale by providing breakfast, lunch, and focusing on traditions around his business.