On The Ramp - The Independent Automotive Garage Owners Podcast.

• #23 Staying Ahead in an EV World – Lessons from Cleevely Motors - 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.htmlIn this episode, we sit down with Matt Cleevely, owner of Cleevely Motors, to explore how the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping the automotive industry. Matt shares how Cleevely Motors has successfully adapted to meet the growing demand for EV servicing, from investing in staff training to upgrading equipment. He discusses the challenges facing independent garages in the EV market, the differences between customer expectations for EV and traditional servicing, and how Cleevely Motors has built a reputation for quality and reliability. If you’re in the trade or considering transitioning to EV repairs, this episode is full of valuable insights and practical advice. 00:00 – Are EVs the Answer? 12:06 – Introduction 20:33 - Ad Break29:53 – Transitioning to EV Specialisation 40:47 – Did You Ever Doubt Yourself? 51:13 – Do EV Owners Expect the Same Service as Dealers? 1:00:05 – EV Sales Market and Depreciation 1:23:19 – What’s Next for Cleevely? Subscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations.⁠https://beacons.ai/ontheramp#evs #electricvehicle #training #ontheramp #automotiveexcellence #automotivebusiness

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• #22 The Hidden Struggles of Scaling a Garage Business - Matt Jeffreys - 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.htmlIn this episode of On The Ramp, we sit down with Matt Jeffreys, owner of St Johns and RPM Malvern, to discuss his journey from launching his first garage to successfully acquiring and turning around a second business. Matt shares the challenges of securing his first unit, the realities of running multiple locations, and the lessons he has learned along the way. We also explore the pressures of business growth, the importance of building the right team, and his vision for the future. If you’re a garage owner looking to expand or improve your business, this episode is packed with valuable insights. 00:00 - Introduction06:01 - Getting Into the Automotive Industry26:57 - Advertisement Break28:05 - Securing a Unit and Launching St Johns52:34 - The Growth and Expansion of St Johns and RPM Malvern1:03:34 - The Challenges of Running Multiple Locations1:28:25 - Biggest Business Pressures and Stress Factors1:36:00 - Personal Goals and Future AmbitionsSubscribe for more industry insights and expert conversations.https://beacons.ai/ontheramp#peoplemanagement #leadership #businessgrowth #workplaceculture #ontheramp

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• #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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