Ratchet+Wrench Radio
Ratchet+Wrench
Updated about 16 hours 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.
Are you the creator? Get your badge · Claim this podcast
Episodes (481)
How a Detailed Business Plan Can Improve Your Chances of Early Success
In this episode, Matt Wagg of Accelerated Diagnostic & Automotive in Bennington, Nebraska, talks about his automotive journey from the son of a shop owner to opening a shop during COVID and hitting the million-dollar mark three years after putting the keys into the door. He discusses business plans, the importance of investing in self-education, why you need coaching, and the need for shop owners to have a clear direction. Matt taught at the Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference in September and is an educator and shop coach who is passionate about learning and developing others.
Why Customers Defer Jobs (and How to Fix It)
In this episode, Uwe Kleinshcmidt and Frank Scandura of AutoTech IQ talk about how they help auto repair shops increase profitability by transforming the way shops use digital vehicle inspections to enhance communication and transparency which leads to fewer deferred jobs.
The Mental Health Toll of Shop Ownership
In this episode, Margaret Light, MA, LMFT, MN LMFT of Equilibrium Therapy Services P.L.L.C. discusses the unique stressors shop owners face and how they can impact mental health. She talks about the stress and burnout continuum and how unmanaged stress and burnout can develop into formal mental health concerns for shop owners. She concludes by sharing tips to help shop owners understand the impact of stress on themselves and their work and when to seek professional help to overcome chronic stress.
Get Your Marketing into High Gear
In this episode, Ryan Burton of Leads Near Me talks about the contents of his new book “High Gear: Marketing Strategies for Auto Repair Shops”, what you can learn about shop marketing, and his conference of the same name High Gear Auto Repair Marketing Conference, which will take place from November 14-16, 2024, in Atlanta.
Keeping People Interested: How Small Gestures Lead to Big Results
In this episode, Bill Snow, vice president, franchise development & operations Rad Air Complete Car Care, talks about how he shows his team his appreciation, why they celebrate every win, and the importance of sweating the small details when it comes to encouraging your team members.
Keeping Customers Loyal Through Appreciation Marketing
In this episode, Lauralee Schmidt of Schmidt Auto Care in Springboro, Ohio, discusses her approach to customer appreciation marketing. She also talks about ideas that have worked, ones that haven't, lessons learned, and why shops need a marketing budget.
How Niche Shops Can Expand Services
In this episode, Nichole Bennecoff of Empower Automotive, formerly The Subie Guys, talks about running a niche Subaru shop and why she's now widening her scope of service, and how she's using driver profiles and data to do it.
How Leaders Become Limitless
In this episode, Brandon Jones and Josh Parnell of Limitless Leadership talk about what it takes for a shop owner to holistically become the leader their team needs from people to process.
Talking Shop: Alex Noll of ABR Houston
In this episode, we visit with Alex Noll, owner of ABR Houston European Specialty Repair in Houston, Texas. If you recall, Alex was featured in the February 2024 issue as the featured shop in Shop View. Today, Alex talks about his background in automotive, going to tech school, getting picked up by BMW, going after shop ownership, and what the future holds for him.
Podcast: Can Online Scheduling Increase Car Count?
In this episode, Steven Fafel of AutoOps shares industry data about the effectiveness of online scheduling and how it adds customers to the shop. He also talks about the latest feature that helps shops close more appointments after hours.
Can AI-Based Service Advisors Change the Game?
Kieran O'Brien of Shopgenie demos the company's new virtual advisor, Jasmine, and explains how this tech can help shops book more after-hours appointments and how AI is changing front-of-house operations.
Ready to Sell Your Shop? Here's How
In this episode, Matthew Schwab of Cluth Automotive in Houston, Texas, talks about what shop owners who are ready to turn over the reigns need to do to get a buyer for their shop.
Podcast: Profitable Partnerships: The Power of a Business Development Office
In this episode, Ceasar Cordon, who heads the Outside Business Development Team for Fifth Gear Automotive, talks about why collaborating with dealerships and competing shops has boosted their new business revenue by nearly 50% ... and how it can do the same for your shop.
How Standardizing Processes Leads to Success
In this episode, AJ Nealey, owner of Nealey Tire & Auto, which has five locations in Maryland, talks about using the EOS method to standardize his shop and how it has led to massive growth and success across the board.
How to Handle Customer Complaints In-Person and Online
In this episode, Brittany Schindler of Rod's Japanese Auto Care in Bellingham, Washington, who was also the 2021 AAPEX Service Advisor of the Year, explains how service advisors can handle customer complaints with grace.
Is Predictive Maintenance Better Than Recommended Maintenance?
Can predictive maintenance help your auto repair shop schedule more accurate repair appointments for customers? In this episode, Tim Hardin, senior vice president/GM global data services, Epicor, discusses the data that drives predictive maintenance and how it stacks up against the traditional 30/60/90K maintenance model in more accurate scheduled repairs to customers.
Successfully Managing Conflict in Auto Repair Shops
In this episode, Chris Cloutier of Golden Rule Auto Care in Dallas, Texas, discusses how to manage employee conflict in auto repair shops. He identifies what conflict in the workplace looks is, when employees should escalate grievances up to the auto repair shop owner, and how leaders resolve conflict within the team. Sponsored by Chemors
The Impact of Servant Leadership
In this episode, Karim Morsli of Winkler Automotive, talks about going from engineering and IT to auto shop ownership. He discusses how the servant leadership style he learned translated in the shop, and why having a selfless approach as a shop owner can change the shop, and more importantly, lift the industry.
How an App Can Turn Average Customers Into Loyal Members
In this episode, Jeremy Glassco of App Fueled and JJ Mont of JJs Auto Service talk about how using an app has created higher loyalty and retention for JJs shop and why it's smart to market to the phone.
Discussing Shop Processes with Dr. Dana Nkana
In this episode, Dr Dana Nkana of Automotive Doctor Consulting and Coaching Services talks about a few key processes that can improve shops.
Getting Started with AI in the Shop
In this episode, Dan Vance of Shop Dog Marketing talks about how auto repair shops can use AI to improve processes, workflow, customer engagement, and communication. He also dives into some interesting use cases for improving customer service and leveling up your marketing.
Becoming Radically Transparent with Customers
In this episode, Ratchet+Wrench columnist Dutch Silverstein talks about transparency and whether it's just a marketing buzzword to sell services to customers or a way for shops to build a culture that caters to the needs of the people they serve.
A Look Back on Worldpac STX 2024
In this episode, we take a look back on STX 2024 starting with data and industry outlook and moving into conversations with key personnel—Bob Cushing, Shane O'Connor, Rob Morrell, and Chris Salvo. We also speak directly with auto repair shop owners, a technician, and a parts supplier about lessons learned and why they value training.
Running a Profitable, Sustainable, and Enjoyable Shop
In this episode, Maryann Croce, shop owner and founder/coach at Small Biz Vantage, talks about why shop owners can get bogged down by their businesses, what causes it, and seven leadership tips to help them get out of the rut and on top of their game.
5 Exceptional Traits of Gen Z Employees
In this episode, Sara Fraser of Haas Performance Consulting dispels myths about Gen Z workers and discusses five traits that make them among the best workers in the workforce.