Ratchet+wrench Radio

Phil Christensen, president of BG Automotive in Colorado, is the winner of the 2020 RW All Star Awards in the manager category. Christensen, along with one of his nominators and owner of the shop, Bryan Gossel, share how he found out he was the winner and how the two of them became the dynamic duo they are today.

Nearly a quarter of shop owners admit that they do not routinely track technician efficiency or productivity, according to the Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey, two figures that are among the most important for measuring success. All too often in the industry, shops track these numbers, or KPIs in general, but have little idea how to interpret or make business decisions based off those numbers—especially when they fall short of set goals. In this episode, learn eight simple questions to ask when encountering a drop in either number.

Lindsay Whalen, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time WNBA champion, talks about some of the leadership principles she now utilizes as a college basketball coach at the University of Minnesota. Many of her strategies, such as identifying great assistants, offer relevant tips for business leaders like those that operate auto repair facilities.

This week, a major cancellation, retirement and legislation were all announced.

In this month's episode of From the Editors, editorial director Anna Zeck combs through the magazines' archives to find the best tips for how to overcome turnover on your team and bounce back stronger than ever. Learn more about the value of exit interviews, how to think strategically about your team, and why you need to consider your own role before starting the hiring process.    

Monthly podcast guest Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care in Chandler, Ariz., shares how to reinvigorate your technicians and get them back on track and loving what they do. 

This week, we examine the HEALS Act and what OEMs are saying about government loans. 

David Askwith, director of operations, Autostream Car Care in Maryland, shares how after months of struggling during COVID-19, his MSO hit its best sales day ever and is now outpacing pre-COVID pace.

This week, we report on trends in small businesses across the nation, SEMA news and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. 

The goal for owners Eric and Allison Smith of Cannon's Automotive Service? Keep getting better and better when it comes to leadership, marketing, and overall processes. And after taking over Allison's father's business, they joined Elite Pro Service to get an extra helping hand in the mix. On top of that, they utilized an old idea from Allison's father that has proved to be a big success. They even got on their local radio station to promote their cause [15:45-18:15]. Hear all about their growth over the past couple of years and how those on the outside and hard work helped get them to where they are now.

In this week's roundup, we provide an update on SEMA , the Right to Repair and more. 

How many of you have an employee that’s always late? How about always on his or her phone? Monthly guest Aaron Stokes shares how to have those tough conversations with your employees.

This week, we gives updates on government funding for small businesses during the coronavirus and share how a few OEMs have been impacted. 

What drives consumers to come to your shop? Monthly guest Frank Leutz and co-host Susie Wong of Desert Car Care of Chandler discuss the psychology of what motivates customers, using an example from their own shop. 

What drives consumers to come to your shop? Monthly guest Frank Leutz and co-host Susie Wong of Desert Car Care of Chandler discuss the psychology of what motivates customers, using an example from their own shop. 

In this week's news round-up, we discuss the growing concerns of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Ford and Honda's 30-day social media cleanse, and how auto sales are predicted to make a rebound.

  Kendall Warnock grew up in a village called Rosalie, Neb., with a population of 90 people. After graduating from Northeast Community College, Warnock decided to take a leap of faith and move to Lincoln, Neb., to start his own shop. During that time, he ran into many obstacles, but he never gave up on his dream.  Warnock now runs a successful operation, A1 Automotive, which recently won the Best of Lincoln 2020 in the auto business category, and also serves as a firefighter in his community. Warnock shares how he overcame his fears of living in a bigger city, the shame of having to use food stamps, and became the success he is today.

In this week's news round-up, we touch on the Moving Forward Act and the most commonly delayed maintenance.   

Did you know there have been 20 updates—yes, 20—to the Paycheck Protection Program since it's release mid-March? That's all according to Brad Mewes, Principal at Supplement Advisory, an automotive advisory firm, who has been helping business owners across the country on the confusing and crazy process these past couple of months. Listen to Mewes sit down with staff writer Abby Patterson as they hash out all of the new details on the PPP, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and other loans you might not even know about. Wanting to still apply last minute? Here are some go-to resources: MBE Capital Partners BlueVine Capital Inc. And for those of you looking for further help, reach out to Brad Mewes at brad.mewes@supp-co.com.

This week, updates on the EIDL and the Right to Repair.