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)
Highlights from VISION 2024
In this episode, Ratchet+Wrench Editor-in-Chief Chris Jones takes a look back at the events at VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo in Kansas City, and shop owners and other industry professionals share their experiences from the event.
Getting Naked to Get Clarity
In this episode, entrepreneur, speaker, and people-first growth specialist Shari Pheasant gets real about how auto repair shop owners can get down on their team's level, increase emotional intelligence, and build a shop that's truly about putting people first.
How to Get Results While Networking at Conferences
In this episode, Dave Brown of DSB Leadership Group talks about his four keys to ensuring that you get the most out of your conference networking experience.
Opening the Lines of Communication (Replay)
In this replay episode from 2022, Deanna Bumgardner from Employer's Advantage LLC joins Ratchet+Wrench Radio to talk about being an emotionally intelligent shop owner when soliciting feedback from your team, why your team fears opening up in the first place, and tips for creating an environment of open communication.
Success Tips for Auto Repair Shop Coaches
In this episode, Marc Mawhinney of Natural Born Coaches talks about what makes a great coach, why marketability trumps all, and understanding what your clients want and how to get it to them. He also offers insight into how to level up your coaching business through strategic communication. Take the 2024 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey. Register for the 2024 Ratchet+Wrench Management Conference
Deconstructing Technician Pay Plans
In this episode, Cecil Bullard of The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence discusses the various available technician pay plans shop owners can use and their pros and cons.
The Small Shop Success of Walker's Garage
In this episode, Bill and Kaylin Walker of Walker's Garage in Brewer, Maine, discuss how they got their shop up and running. Bill had been a solo operator—wearing all of the hats most of the way—until Kaylin joined him in the front of the shop. They market like a big shop and now they're readying for expansion. Here's their story.
Staying One Step Ahead of the Market
In this episode, Travis Comfort, vice president of Rick's Automotive in Springfield, Missouri, talks about the innovative mind of owner Rick Hughlett, working on fleet accounts, and their modern shop complete with an employee gym.
Getting a Direct Hit with Direct Mail
In this episode, Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg of Turnkey Marking talks about direct mail marketing and how auto repair shops can get the most out of it. We also discuss how to create your messaging, target your audience, measure results and how to fit it into your digital marketing mix.
Talking Shop: Tech One Automotive
In this episode, Daniel Wisian of Tech One Automotive in Austin, Texas, talks about what's new at his shop and walks us through his processes as a shop owner. He talks about his hiring and retention practices, expanding his shop, how he budgets for marketing, and collaborating with Tesla early on. Wisian's shop was featured in the March 2023 issue of Ratchet+Wrench.
2023 Wrap Up & Announcements
In this episode, Ratchet+Wrench Radio host Chris Jones reviews some of his favorite episodes of the year and talks about changes to the podcast for 2024. Sponsord by Ford Motorcraft
How I Built a Massive Social Media Following for My Shop | Chris Enright
In this episode, Chris Enright of Enright Automotive talks about how he amassed a huge following on social media. To date, he has 53,000 YouTube subscribers, 30,000 TikTok subscribers, 45,000 Instagram followers and his Instagram Reels have over 50 million views. Chris talks about how he did it and how you can find your brand voice on social media and get noticed. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
How to Create a Learning Environment within the Shop | Jeff Furrow
In this episode, Jeff Furrow of Wellsboro Automotive talks about being a relational leader and how that translates into creating an environment where his technicians can learn, grow, and in turn train their fellow techs. He also discusses his apprentice program and how he finds students. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Not Your Everyday Auto Repair Shop | Mike & Susan Henn
In this episode, Mike and Susan Henn of Henn Automotive talk about their southern North Carolina shop. Mike talks about getting rejected by the bank for a loan, building his shop with his own hands, how he trains his technicians, and why they stay for the long haul (most have been with the shop for over a decade). Susan discusses managing the front end, why providing full benefits matters and her role in creating the environment of the shop. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft.
Believe in Yourself and Stay the Course | Rachel Spencer
In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Rachel Spencer of Spencer's Auto Repair shares her journey through shop ownership and how she overcame challenges personally and professionally to become the empathetic and strong leader she is today. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Growing Oceanside Auto and Managing Gen Z Technicians | Daniel Stewart
In this episode, Daniel Stewart, service manager at Oceanside Auto in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, talks about his shop, its future goals, its culture and how he gets the best from his Gen Z technicians. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Talking Shop: Dave’s Pro Auto Service | Stephannie Maneval
In this episode, Stephannie Maneval, owner of Dave's Pro Auto Service in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, talks about her rise from service advisor to shop owner and takes us through her shop and what she loves about being an owner. Sponsored by FordMotorcraft
How to Vet, Hire and Retain Your Technicians | Doug Grills
In this episode, Doug Grills, owner of AutoStream Care Care Center with multiple locations across Maryland, talks about vetting, hiring and training technicians. Today, he's going to share his processes from: Creating goal posters with his team to cast a vision Why 1-on-1 meetings matter in retaining technicians The need for good communication Why training inspires technicians to stay How his shop vets potential new hires The advantage of providing benefits and incentives He'll also provide advice for small shops on how to make the right first hires. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Knowing How Your Techs Learn to Leads to Better Performance | Dave Boyes & Ron Shanas
In this episode, Dave Boyes and Ron Shanas of Today's Class talk about how shop owners can better coach their teams by understanding how their team members learn and process the knowledge they gain from educational sessions. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Keys to Customer Retention and Higher Car Count | Connor Tracy
In this episode, Connor Tracy, senior regional manager and director of partner relations at KUKUI, talks about ways shop owners can pinpoint gaps in their customer service sequence to increase the likelihood that customers keep coming back. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Marketing is About Getting More Customers | Ryan Burton
In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Ryan Burton of Leads Near Me. We discuss marketing, what it is, the difference between marketing, advertising and public relations and we get Ryan's reactions to the marketing results in the 2023 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey Report. Lastly, we talk about his upcoming High Gear Auto Repair Marketing Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, from Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Creating a Brand Customers Will Love | Taran Sodhi
In this episode, Taran Sodhi, owner of Conceptual Minds, an auto repair shop marketing firm, talks about how he helped Wiygul Automotive rebrand its shop and what shop owners need to think about when considering a refacing of their own. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft.
8 Reasons Why Techs Quit Auto Repair Shops | Chris Lawson
Why are auto technicians in auto repair shops leaving their jobs? In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Chris Lawson of Technician Find talks to editor Chris Jones about a Statistica survey that details eight reasons why people quit jobs and what auto repair shop owners can learn. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All | Joe Marconi
In this episode, Ratchet+Wrench columnist Joe Marconi talks about why shop owners need to be objective when interpreting external data and trends while taking a subjective look at the KPIs that impact their auto repair businesses. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft
How We Created Our Mobile Diag and Training Company | Keith & Liz Perkins
Keith and Liz Perkins of L1 Diagnostics and Programming recount their humble beginning when Keith refused to work for free and was fired from his job only to realize his dream of being a full-time diagnostic tech was waiting for him on the other side. Sponsored by Ford Motorcraft