Grease The Wheels Podcast

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Episode 227: Say No to Cancer Jan 04, 2023

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels we talk about some of the things that can kill you in your shop in both the long term and very short term as Uncle Jimmy is on the mend from going 2 for 2 against cancer. On the longer term side of things, brakes - especially from countries with less than scrupulous manufacturing policies, can still contain harmful amounts of asbestos because the US can't regulate everything. Couple this with smoking as many technicians are known to do and you can have serious lung complications. In the much shorter term, things like sulfuric acid from popped batteries and various degreasing solvents can also be extremely harmful. Additionally as more shops begin to work on electric cars there are a whole extra set of very painful ways to die. We also do a pretty deep dive PSA on the value of routine colonoscopies, and getting checked out by a doctor when you notice something is wrong - instead of waiting for it to be a lot worse.

Also Uncle Jimmy talks his preferred Colonoscopy Prep Methods, advancements in cameras, and some of the signs that you too may need a prostate delete.

This episode is distributed by The Wrenching Network. Whether you're a technician, a mechanic, or someone who just loves the car scene, The Wrenching Network is a place that you have to check out. They have all sorts of great content, gear, and snacks to keep you turning wrenches in whatever capacity you do it. Also if you see us over there, make sure you say hi and leave a comment with what you think about the episode!

Episode 226: A View From the Top Dec 28, 2022

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels, Uncle Jimmy takes aim at the horizon and talks “Cox Automotive’s 10 Trends That Will Shape the Auto Business in 2023”. Being that this is Cox, it is mostly sales oriented, but what they are talking about effects the entire industry as a whole - and there's a lot of upside for us! The economy- probably not going to get that much better, hopefully it doesn’t get much worse. But in countercyclical economies, the service side of the businesses typically see solid numbers as people hold onto stuff longer. More EV’s - they think they're going to sell a million in the United States in 2023. With some of the fleet incentives out there, this isn't surprising. People wanting to do more of the car buying process online - no shit! With the economy looking unsteady and some lingering hangover from the global pandemic, the wrench twisting bastards in the back are going to be worth their weight in gold.

Also Uncle Jimmy is still alive!

Episode 225: Survey Says 2: End of Year Edition Dec 21, 2022

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels we take the lead from SurfWrench for some end of year statistics about technician satisfaction. One of the things that shocked us was just how many technicians at independent shops find the variety of work as an advantage- whereas Uncle Jimmy sees it as a major disadvantage. Typically franchise dealerships have better equipment and climate controls, and that can be a huge pull factor for technicians. We almost all agree that the manufactures are stiffing us on warranty repairs, because they are. We also get into the trenches of the recruitment debate, with 84% of us thinking that high schools are actively discouraging the trades for their students - when that is exactly what the American economy needs over the next few decades is a renaissance of trade schools and students getting degrees that make the world continue to spin. Also an alarming amount of us are immune to corporate recruitment videos, in favor of unscripted interviews about what working in a particular shop is like. Also almost unanimous- tell us how much a job is going to pay in the job posting! Actually, kinda funny timing NYS just made this a law the day we cut this.

Also Uncle Jimmy annihilates the concept that the ICE vehicle ban in California is to lead to a loss of employment opportunities for technicians - and California in general! Merry Christmas to all of you wrench twisting bastards keeping the planet moving!

Episode 224: End of the Year Dec 14, 2022

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels, we round out the year with reflection in the form of the much-dreaded self evaluation. Being able to quantify your work will give you a unique perspective when you go to ask for a raise, but also have a plan on what you want to improve upon in the next calendar year if you're going to make your move now. The holidays are also a great time to tune up the resume with a few extra days off and time with the family to put your career into perspective. Being able to recognize what you struggle with both professionally and personally will help you to identify the problems and solve them.

Also Uncle Jimmy does his own yearly self evaluation in typical GTW explicit fashion.

Episode 223: Being Difficult Dec 07, 2022

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels, we take a look at how to deal with difficult employees in your shop. Right off the bat, Uncle Jimmy completely admits to being a difficult employee, but when you weigh it against EVERYTHING else, he genuinely comes out ahead. We get into the optics of a manager calling their shop a “s***show”, when they are in fact responsible for it being in such a state. Additionally, keeping an even hand with your disciplinary practices will help you gain the respect of your remaining employees. Another good rule is if you're going to have a meeting with your technicians, the message needs to be positive - don’t waste our time with negativity because that is time that we are not making money. Feedback and follow up are both doubly important - but they are important with non-difficult employees just the same when it comes to making the maximum amount of money in the Automotive Industry.

Also Uncle Jimmy discusses management arbitrarily changing your bay(s) and discusses the merits of “messing up big”

Episode 222: The Art of Appreciation Nov 30, 2022

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels, we go into the weeds on how employers can show their employees appreciation. Right off the bat it is never going to be a bad idea to feed your employees regularly, especially when you want their attention. Showing your appreciation can be a matter of shop morale, but even more importantly it can be an important tool to reduce turnover- which is a massive problem in this industry. Happy employees can also do things to your brand reputation that you can’t buy - see exhibit A. Wegman's. When you listen to your employees you can also see innovation coming from the people who have been implementing it and found better ways to do their jobs- see exhibit B. Eastman Kodak. However, Uncle Jimmy has broken down “The Art of Appreciation” for the technicians in your shop into the borderline Stalinist slogan: “Food, Fun, and Money” while also railing against overpriced vending machines.

Also Uncle Jimmy goes off on the “end-of-month sales department chaos-blitzkrieg” waged in shops all over the world on the 28th-31st of every month and promotes feral hog hunting as an “unique incentive”.

Episode 221: *Blank* Tech Nov 24, 2022

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels, we break down the myriad of wanted ads that face technicians of every ilk every single day. Turns out they have a lot of ideas about what they want from you, but when it comes to what they are going to provide for your services - that bit is a bit lacking in the keyword count. The worst thing that you can do if you’re hiring a technician for your shop or dealership is not list any sort of range. Obviously everyone already knows that the wage is going to be commensurate with the experience and certifications of the technician applying - but at least give a ballpark for what your idea of a highly paid technician is. We also wish all of our fellows with the wrenches and the knowledge to fix things a very Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are in the world - we are so thankful for you and what you do because we know how important it really is!

Also Uncle Jimmy harpoons the idea of “volunteering in a shop” when you’re in tech school for obvious reasons.

This episode is distributed by The Wrenching Network. Whether you're a technician, a mechanic, or someone who just loves the car scene, The Wrenching Network is a place that you have to check out. They have all sorts of great content, gear, and snacks to keep you turning wrenches in whatever capacity you do it. Also if you see us over there, make sure you say hi and leave a comment with what you think about the episode!

Episode 220: What Did You Say?! Nov 16, 2022

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels, we return to form by dissecting some of the insane things that our customers say. When a customer genuinely understands what is going wrong with their car they are usually pretty capable of communicating it effectively. When they don’t, chaos can ensure with lines that would make the guys from “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” proud. Apologies for how poorly this article is written, but it illustrates just how little people outside of the service side of the industry actually understand how the process works. Very few places even allow customers into the shop - let alone let them watch a mechanic perform repairs. That is the job of video which is probably coming to a bay near you at multiple angles and aspect ratios. We also discuss the very real merits of using “easiness” as the ascending way to diagnose a problem, and reiterate the simple mantra “time is money”.

Also Uncle Jimmy’s blood pressure gets audibly higher and we get a call back to the door pocket burrito!

Episode 219: Keys To Success and Failure Nov 09, 2022

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels, we get into the weeds of what makes businesses tick and examine the keys to their success and failure. There are a whole lot of ways that your auto repair business could be leaking cash. One of the major ones that we are going to focus on here is not selling repairs; where there are systemic failures to sell, there can be thousands in lost profits - simply because the Service advisor made an incorrect judgment call. We also go into “6 ways to Increase your Shop’s Profitability” to balance out the success side of the “Keys to Success and Failure”. To be successful auto repair shops need to continually invest in their people, processes, and equipment to stay on top of the game. Treating your customers like family doesn’t hurt either, as we give a series of callbacks to how The Little Speed Shop in Rochester NY does it right!

Also Uncle Jimmy misattributes a Wayne Gretzky quote to Kobe Bryant, we pitch “The Blind Service Advisor,'' and recount the near universal experience of flipping cars that were completely written off by someone.

Episode 218: Pros vs Cons (The Cons Take It) Nov 02, 2022

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On this week’s episode of Grease the Wheels, we annihilate an article about the pros and cons of being an automotive technician. Right off the bat, if you think that $36-48k/year is “an exceptional salary” you are categorically wrong. Being able to work in a variety of environments isn’t always a good thing - because some of those environments will remind you of the third world. Fast paced workdays, being fast paced and chaotic is a bad combination especially when peoples safety is involved. The Potential to work outside - not all automotive jobs allow you to work outside -LIKE THAT’S GOOD THING! Job stability, hey we finally found an actual pro! The technician shortage has given people a lot of mobility, especially when they are extremely well trained. No College Education being needed: this is a plus, but it definitely helps if you’ve got some experience and want to get a further understanding of some of the specific systems. Being able to fix your own car is definitely a pro, and really the only relevant part of the article. You get to meet new people - who will only come to you when they have a problem with their car! The cons list was pretty spot on but done with such a glancing blow that they still warrant criticism. Bottom line is that the pros and cons list for every technician in every shop in the world is going to be slightly different, but if you’re considering a career change this can be a valuable tool to aid your decision.

Also Uncle Jimmy introduces the slap test for people who want to become auto mechanics and we have a new winner for longest duration DIY brake job.

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