On The Ramp - The Independent Automotive Garage Owners Podcast.

• #21 Fixing More Than Cars: The Art of Managing People - Carl Williams and Lauren Brown

  This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.htmlIn this episode of On The Ramp, we sit down with Lauren Brown, Managing Director of T10 Automotive, and Carl Williams from Williams Talent Management to discuss the vital role of people management in building a successful business.We explore the importance of workplace culture in driving performance, how to handle underperformance without creating conflict, and the challenges of recruitment. The discussion also covers why hiring for attitude over skill is crucial, the responsibilities of effective leadership, and how business owners can create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated.Lauren and Carl also share their insights on fostering employee progression, coaching versus consulting, and how strong leadership can transform a business. Whether you’re managing a growing workforce or looking to improve team dynamics, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you build a high-performing and engaged team.If you're a business owner, manager, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers valuable lessons on people management, leadership, and workplace culture.00:00 - Introduction02:24 - How McDonald's Shaped Carl’s People Management Skills23:12 - Sponsored Ad Break27:04 - Recognising When Someone Isn’t Right for the Business30:45 - Effective Recruitment Strategies33:40 - Building Strong Personal Connections with Employees51:01 - The Responsibilities of a Business Leader to Remain Consistent1:02:00 - Why Employee Progression Matters1:15:00 - Managing Underperformance Without Creating Conflict1:24:53 - Finding Time for Budgeting1:30:49 - Coaching vs. Consulting: What’s the Difference?1:39:20 - How Can People Work with You Now?Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations.#peoplemanagement #leadership #workplaceculture #businessgrowth #TeamBuilding⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

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• #20 Car Sales, Crisis & Comebacks: A Car Dealer’s Real Story - Jamie Caple - On The Ramp Podcast

  This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html In this episode of On the Ramp, we sit down with Jamie Caple, owner of Car Quay, to discuss the highs and lows of running a used car dealership. Jamie shares his journey from the collapse of his previous business to rebuilding from the ground up, all while navigating the unpredictable world of used car sales. We explore the realities of stocking facilities, the impact of market fluctuations, and the challenges of maintaining profitability in a tough industry. Jamie also provides insights into the importance of preparation efficiency, managing risk, and staying adaptable in a rapidly changing market. If you’re an independent garage owner or thinking about moving into car sales, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, business strategy, and the mindset needed to succeed. 00:00 - Introduction 04:25 - Leaving the previous business and facing legal action 20:05 - External factors influencing vehicle sales 31:01 - Castrol sponsorship segment 32:15 - How real-world events impact bookings and average invoice values 35:00 - Government inefficiencies and their effect on small businesses 37:53 - Are you working on your business or in your business? 42:55 - Beyond AutoTrader: Other strategies for growth 45:48 - Why people are drawn to stories of business failure 47:49 - Receiving legal papers just before Christmas 01:04:13 - Selling electric vehicles: Opportunities and challenges 01:07:21 - Preferred fuel types and the future of the market 01:11:00 - The role of workshops and MOTs in a dealership 01:13:59 - The importance of charisma in modern car sales 01:20:21 - How warranties impact customer confidence 01:28:21 - The role of third-party finance companies in car sales 01:31:41 - Sales functions and strategies for success 01:45:23 - The purchasing process and making smart stock decisions 01:50:18 - Identifying your strengths in business 01:53:29 - Key advice for new business owners 02:06:58 - Where do you see yourself and the business in five years? Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations. #UsedCarSales #AutomotiveBusiness #CarQuay #OnTheRamp #IndependentDealership

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• #19 Garage Success Starts Here: Mastering your Front of House - On The Ramp Podcast

  The Secret to Garage Success: Front-of-House Excellence In this episode of On The Ramp, Alex and Nathan are joined by a special guest, Emma, the newly appointed Customer Experience Director. Together, they dive deep into the critical role of front-of-house teams in the success of a modern garage. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the front-of-house role is the backbone of a successful garage The importance of reducing customer anxiety and building trust Recruitment tips: Finding the perfect front-of-house candidate The art of hospitality and its connection to automotive service How to implement service plans and improve customer retention Practical advice for training and structuring front-of-house teams Whether you're a garage owner, a front-of-house professional, or just passionate about customer service, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss! This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit ⁠https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html⁠ 00:00 - introduction 02:46 - Inducting new staff 13:32 - Efficiency in FOH 18:33 - Ad Break 19:47 - Specialist responsibilities 22:00 - How does Lindley’s recruit into FOH 30:31 - Diagnostic bookings 37:44 - Service Plans 49:04 - is it a sales role? How important is it? 51:40 - How important is sales training? #OnTheRamp #GarageSuccess #CustomerExperience #AutomotiveIndustry #FrontOfHouse ⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

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• #18 Driven to Succeed - Edward Cockill's Inspiring Story in Automotive - On The Ramp Podcast

  Ed Cockhill of Uckfield Motor Services joins us to discuss his journey from motorsport aspirations to managing and growing a thriving family business. Learn about the challenges of expanding into commercial services, balancing innovation with tradition, and navigating the ever-changing automotive landscape. This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html 00:00 - introduction 01:40 - Previous Failures 02:49 - The career path that led to joining the family business 12:03 - F1 Talk… 13:18 - Moving to the family business 23:09 - Starting a Commercial Branch 37:39 - Do you specialise in a specific brand? 40:48 - What’s your view on EV? 47:53 - Going through a rough patch and getting over it 1:04:02 - What can we expect from you in the future? ⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

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• #17 How I built a garage around a single brand - Should you specialise? - On The Ramp Podcast

  This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group, to learn more about Castrol Service please visit https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/partner-with-us/independent-workshops.html In this episode, Alex and Nathan sit down with Olly, a Mercedes-Benz specialist with years of experience running a successful independent garage. From starting his business with limited resources to building a national reputation, Olly shares his journey, the benefits of specialising, and the challenges of staying ahead in the motor trade. 📌 Topics Covered: Why specialising in a single brand makes sense for independent garages Building efficiency and expertise in diagnostics and repairs Creating a loyal customer base through trust and community engagement Advice for garage owners considering specialisation Whether you're an independent garage owner, a mechanic, or simply interested in the automotive industry, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of independent garages. 🎧 Listen Now to learn more about Olly's approach and what it takes to run a specialist garage. 💬 Share your thoughts: Are you considering specialising your services? Let us know in the comments below! 00:00 - Introduction 01:46 - About Prestige Car Service 21:41 - Diagnostics 36:33 - Would you specialise? 48:12 - Setbacks 52:19 - Getting a larger workshop 57:32 - Being content with what you have 01:00:36 - Benefits of a single brand 01:12:37 - Why dealerships need to change #OnTheRampPodcast #MercedesSpecialist #IndependentGarage ⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp

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