The Blend Podcast

We’re revisiting the topic of EVs this month. We welcome back Matt Cleevely of Cleevely EV to challenge him with some of the hard-hitting arguments on why the transition to EVs might not be as big as we once thought - or maybe they will? Let’s join Matt from his very busy workshop in Cheltenham to try and figure out what it all means for independent garages. The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

Dean Lomas of DC Lomas in Cheshire joins us in this latest episode of The Blend Podcast to share how his apprenticeship not only changed the trajectory of his own life but how he's now paying it forward by mentoring and investing in the next generation. From a challenging childhood and later struggles with addiction to finding redemption and purpose through an apprenticeship, Dean's story is one of hope, perseverance, and the power of second chances. The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

In this episode, we're putting the spotlight on an often-overlooked yet critical aspect of running a successful independent garage: human resources. Join us as we delve into the world of HR with Jennifer Webb of HR Vitals. Jennifer, a seasoned HR expert specialising in serving the unique needs of independent garage owners, shares invaluable insight and practical advice on how to navigate your HR challenges effectively including crisis management strategies. The Blend, the annual conference and networking event for independent garages, takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

We're kicking off the first episode of 2024 with a discussion on what social media can do for independent garage businesses. Who better to chat social media than Nathan Taylor of Walsall Wood Tyre & Service?! Having successfully captured the attention of UK drivers, he's now keen for other workshops to step-up and help promote the independent garage sector in all of its glory. The Blend takes place on Saturday 28th September, 2024 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

With the dust now settled after The Blend’s annual conference and networking event for independent garages last month, we thought it timely to reflect back on the Garage Industry Trends of the last 12 months with Alex Lindley, and take a look ahead at what we might expect in 2024 with some excellent tips and advice on what you should be doing now to hit the ground running in January. Garage Hive’s Dawn Metcalfe also features in this episode, talking about some of the many new and exciting developments from Garage Hive that were announced at The Blend. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

The Blend is almost upon on us! Join us as the excitement builds ahead of perhaps the most highly anticipated independent garage event of the year. This week on the podcast, we hear from Prashant Chopra of Autogem on a parts category you may not have given too much thought about. He's on to tell us why you should, ahead of his TPMS talk at The Blend this weekend. We also have Adam Clack of Blue Oval in Cheltenham who'll be coming along to his first-ever Blend on Saturday and is in the process of switching to Garage Hive. The Blend takes place on the 7th October, 2023 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. Organised by community-driven garage management software Garage Hive, The Blend is open to all garage owners in the UK and Ireland. The aim of the day is to provide garage owners and managers with practical strategies and ideas they can implement to improve their businesses. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

Have you ever considered the full potential of your front of house offering? John Batten of Auto IQ joins us in this latest episode to offer a teaser of his talk that he'll be presenting at The Blend next month on how your front of house team can add big numbers to your bottom line. There's also big news this week, the Blend Award finalists have been named! One of our judges, Hayley Pells, joins us on the podcast to chat about this year's remarkable influx of top-tier entries. The Blend takes place on the 7th October, 2023 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. Organised by community-driven garage management software Garage Hive, The Blend is open to all garage owners in the UK and Ireland. The aim of the day is to provide garage owners and managers with practical strategies and ideas they can implement to improve their businesses. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

This week we welcome on industry expert, Andy Crook to talk business growth and raises the question: is bigger always better? Also featured, Tom Cockings of Robert Cockings Motor Repairs in Somerset gives a teaser of his highly anticipated talk on father and son conflict in the trade. Both topics will covered in length at The Blend in October. Organised by community-driven garage management software Garage Hive, The Blend 2023 is open to all garage owners in the UK and Ireland. The aim of the day is to provide garage owners and managers with practical strategies and ideas they can implement to improve their businesses. The Blend takes place on the 7th October, 2023 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

This week, Tim Benson of Oldfields Garage in Leominster talks long-term business plans ahead of his presentation at The Blend in October titled 'Planning your exit on a non-exitable business'. We also take a look at the fast-growing EV market and what it takes for an independent garage to successfully tap into it. Confirmed speaker for The Blend 2023, Matt Cleevely of Cleevely Electric Vehicles in Cheltenham shares his EV expertise with tips and advice for workshops wanting to embrace new opportunities. Organised by community-driven garage management software Garage Hive, The Blend 2023 is open to all garage owners in the UK and Ireland. The aim of the day is to provide garage owners and managers with practical strategies and ideas they can implement to improve their businesses. The Blend takes place on the 7th October, 2023 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. The Blend Podcast is produced by Autotech Communications.

The Blend has announced the launch of a new and exciting podcast ahead of its annual conference and networking event for independent garage owners, which takes place in Birmingham on 7th October, 2023. From tackling day-to-day operational challenges to identifying new opportunities in the ever-evolving automotive landscape, The Blend Podcast will engage in discussions with seasoned garage owners, influential thought leaders, and notable industry speakers to help independent garages excel. In this first episode we'll get a taste of the conversations to come from the new series. We'll hear from Ray Dilsons, Managing Director of Garage Hive, on how The Blend has grown, and Alex Lindley of Lindleys Autocentres talks Garage Industry Trends. Organised by community-driven garage management software Garage Hive, The Blend 2023 is open to all garage owners in the UK and Ireland. The aim of the day is to provide garage owners and managers with practical strategies and ideas they can implement to improve their businesses. The Blend takes place on the 7th October, 2023 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham.