The Ratchet+Wrench Radio Network offers three 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.
Stephan Reinarts, Dean of Automotive Programs at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota, discusses the challenges and opportunities of educating and hiring young employees in the industry as well as the current technician shortage.
Ryan Clo talks to Ratchet+Wrench about his personal health and wellness transformation and provides easy tips that every shop owner could—and should—implement.
Closing ratio can be broken down by many factors, including dollar amount, type (diagnostic, transmission, etc.), new customer, etc. Here's a system for better tracking closing ratio and knowing where you can improve your sales. Barry Barrett, director for RLO Training, shares his ins and outs of closing ratio.
This month, industry superstar Rissy Sutherland talks to Kukui CEO Todd Westerlund and Buckley Auto Care owner Greg Buckley about embracing technology and gaining from your online marketing.
For Aaron Stokes' monthly contribution to Ratchet+Wrench Radio, he discusses everything to consider when selecting your right-hand man, whether that be promoting someone within the company or hiring from the outside. By following his steps, you can find the perfect manager that will facilitate your vision as leader of the shop.
Implementation, and simply getting things done, has been the theme of Judi Haglin's success as an owner, consultant and ambassador for the industry. Here's how Haglin, the 2018 Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award winner in the Executive category, built her operation alongside her husband, Dana.
On Rissy Sutherland's latest podcast, she meets with two professionals who prove why inter-industry relationships can help an automotive repair operation thrive.
Carmates is a sort of online marketplace for automotive repair shops, similar to Openbay and RepairPal. And many shop operators have raised issues with companies that offer these kinds of services. Today on Ratchet+Wrench Radio, co-founders Raju Sagiraju and Surik Torosyan explain how Carmates works and address those concerns voiced by shop owners.
Digital inspections can streamline the courtesy inspection process and lead to improved efficiency and ARO—but how do you make a seamless transition into using the software? Dan Garlock, owner of Silver Lake Auto and Tire, is here to lay out everything you need to consider, from choosing the right software to making it part of the repair process to achieving a return on investment.
Aaron Stokes says believing in your vision and passing it on to your employees is a great way to get the rest of them on board, even when you or your shop is in a rut.
Beyond building a $1.6 million operation, Frank is the host of Wrench Nation, is an industry consultant and coach, and runs a successful YouTube channel. Leutz details his career journey, how he grew Desert Car Care Chandler and how other shop owners can implement creative marketing tactics to improve their own operations.
Jon Thompson, owner of 14 locations in Illinois as a part of Butitta Brothers Automotive, joins the show to discuss how a shop owner can obtain a business loan before acquiring another business.
In this month's edition of the Lead podcast for Ratchet+Wrench Radio, host Aaron Stokes discusses how shop owners can cut out distractions and eliminate time wasters in the shop.
In July’s edition of Ratchet+Wrench Radio’s Grow Podcast, host Rissy Sutherland revisits one of the major issues facing the industry today: the technician shortage. She and her guests tackle how shops can consistently recruit the industry's future talent.
Over the years, Jeff Odom has learned how to onboard his employees swiftly and efficiently. He goes over the most important aspects for any shop owner to think about when implementing a thorough onboarding program.
Jeff Matt owns the six-location Victory Auto Service & Glass operation in Minnesota. He details how he grew his network and offers advice for any shop owner looking to expand.
No two shops are the same, and various factors can determine a shop's efficiency numbers. However, there are universal tips that can improve one of the most crucial KPIs that determines profitability. In this episode of Ratchet+Wrench Radio, Andy Fiffick lays out how he builds his shops from the ground up for maximum efficiency.
In June’s Grow podcast, Rissy Sutherland speaks with two members of NASTF’s Road to Great Technicians board, Jill Saunders and Donny Seyfer, whose objective is to recruit new technicians, train them and communicate their findings to the industry.
This week, Ratchet+Wrench is launching the “How I Did It” series, where we look at some of the most successful shop owners throughout the industry, and the obstacles they overcame to take their business to the next level. Our first guest is Brian Sump, a former professional athlete who had no business experience prior to owning Denver-based Avalon Motorsports in 2007.
In this week's Innovate podcast, Chris Cloutier, shop technology expert and owner of Golden Rule Auto Care, joins the show to discuss the timeline of a shop's technology. The further along on the timeline you are, Cloutier says, the more efficient and productive your shop can be.
What do customers think of when they see your logo? In this week’s episode of the Lead podcast, Aaron Stokes discusses his thoughts on branding, and how you should represent your shop to the surrounding community.
Subscribe
