Beyond the Wrench – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Marc Poulsen, National Accounts Manager, shares how AutoNet TV helps shops build trust with customers and why it’s essential. Learn why showcasing ASE-certified technicians matters, the public’s misconceptions about the technician role, and the challenges of explaining maintenance and complex repairs to customers.

Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!

About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.com
• Guest: Marc Poulsen, AutoNet TV, mpoulsen@autonettv.com

Links & Resources

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About WrenchWay:

• For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/
• For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/
• For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/

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Bill Demaree and Aaron Blount join us to share how Tom Wood University brings high school students into the dealership for hands-on automotive learning. They discuss the “why” behind the program, the importance of ownership support in building a marketplace of future technicians, and how they structure the curriculum to prepare students for real-world success in the industry.

Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!

About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.com
• Guests: Bill Demaree & Aaron Blount, Tom Wood Auto Group

Links & Resources

Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list


About WrenchWay:

• For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/
• For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/
• For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/

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Recorded live at the Milwaukee Pipeline 2025 event, Leah Balto, Group Manager of Product Marketing at Milwaukee Tool, joins host Jay Goninen to walk us through Milwaukee’s latest hand tool kits, explain how the team studies technicians in real-world settings to inspire smarter innovations, and share how Milwaukee Tool is investing in solutions that support technicians’ long-term health.

Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!

About the Episode

• Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.com
• Guest: Leah Balto, Group Manager of Product Marketing, Milwaukee Tool

Links & Resources

Get notified of new episodes --> Join our email list


About WrenchWay:

• For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/
• For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/
• For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/

Connect with us on social:

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• LinkedIn
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• TikTok

We are proud to welcome Daniel Diaz, Service Technician at Braman BMW Miami (and rising TikTok star)! In this episode, Daniel offers advice to young technicians on purchasing tools, encourages all technicians to keep learning, and emphasizes the importance of finding the right shop management and support as a new technician.

(1:27) Tool Organization for Efficiency
(12:51) Keeping Up with Technology & EV
(30:45) Having the Right Shop Support
(34:32) Shopping Smart for Tools
(43:50) Always Keep Learning

Resources:
Sign up for Free for WrenchWay - Online Community for Automotive & Diesel Professionals

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Daniel Diaz
Service Technician, Braman BMW Miami
Follow on TikTok

Sponsor:
Universal Technical Institute: a place that provides opportunity for passion to become purpose. For training to lead toward a career. For over 55 years, UTI’s family of schools has helped students pursue their passion in exciting fields like transportation, skilled trades and energy. There’s a reason why students choose us and top brands hire our graduates. Reputation and commitment. Our relationships with some of the world’s most recognizable brands allow students to gain specific knowledge.

As a student, you’ll train how the industry does. Learning from instructors with real world-experience and training hands-on with industry tools and equipment in the lab.  We’re committed to your success – that’s why we’re making $15 million in scholarships and grants available this year alone to those who qualify.

It’s time to invest in you. Get started today at uti.edu!

Disclaimer: UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. Financial aid, scholarships and grants are available to those who qualify. Awards vary due to specific conditions, criteria and state.

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Bob Gaito, Chief Executive Officer at Auction Central and Principal at Exit5 Auto Group, shares his unique auction and dealership experience in this week’s episode. Bob dives into how online auctions operate and the role of auctions in the automotive industry. He also discusses the different career options available for technicians in the auction world, and provides advice for shops looking to buy and sell inventory.

(9:51) Layout of an Online Auction
(26:02) Auction Technician Career Opportunities
(31:05) Keeping Buyers & Sellers Honest
(38:32) Challenges of Running an Auction
(50:28) Advice for Buyers & Sellers
(55:14) Future of Auction Business

Resources:
WrenchWay Shop Memberships - A Better Way to Hire Automotive & Diesel Technicians

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
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About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Bob Gaito
Chief Executive Officer,  Auction Central & Principal, Exit5 Auto Group
bob@auctioncentral.com

Sponsor:
OK. Your customer’s engine or transmission has failed. But now is not the time for them to trade their vehicle – not without a working engine or transmission. Besides, would they have kept their vehicle another 3-5 years if their engine or transmission had not let them down?

If you answered “yes” then Jasper Engines and Transmissions is your choice to give your customer’s vehicle new life and many thousands of miles of enjoyable driving performance.

When considering the high cost of a new or newer used vehicle, there’s a pretty good case to be made for replacing a drive train component that has failed or is delivering poor performance – rather than trading their car, truck, van or SUV. Install a quality re-manufactured JASPER product for less than your customer would have to invest in a new vehicle or a newer used vehicle.

Check out their website at jasperengines.com to learn more about the money-saving value of JASPER.

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Pride in your work and pride in the industry! In this week’s episode, Josh Arnold, Master Technician at Toyota & Subaru of Corvallis, radiates his contagious passion and positive attitude toward the automotive industry. Get an inside look at how to maintain a positive mindset in a challenging industry, the importance of having patience as a young technician, and the power of having a great mentor.

(3:26) Negativity on Social Media
(11:35) Subaru Technician Competition
(31:12) Young Technicians’ Impatience
(36:15) Mentoring & Power of a Mentor
(49:37) Flat Rate for Green Technicians

Resources:
WrenchWay's $1,000 Monthly Giveaway

WrenchWay Reverse Job Posts

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
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Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Josh Arnold
Master Technician, Subaru & Toyota of Corvallis
Past Beyond the Wrench Episode

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Veterans who have experience as military technicians offer a unique skill set that can bring significant value to shops and dealerships. In this bonus episode, we cover ways shops can recruit and retain veterans, how to evaluate appropriate pay and skill levels of techs, and offer tips for better communication with veteran techs.

(5:15) Why Recruit Veterans?
(11:02) Assisting with Tools
(26:32) Communicating with Vets
(37:34) Ways to Reach & Recruit Veterans
(50:31) Financial Status Post-Service

Resources:
Refer Schools to WrenchWay to Help Us Reach 1,000 Schools

WrenchWay's Free Solutions for Technicians, Students, and Auto/Diesel Professionals

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guests:
Scott Jenkins
Regional Fixed Operations Director, Asbury Automotive Group
sjenkins1@asburyauto.com

Roger Gutierrez
Director of Fixed Operations, Biggers Auto Group
rgutierrez@biggerschevy.com

Jim Toussaint
Division Operations Manager, Worldwide Equipment Enterprises, Inc.
jim.toussaint@thetruckpeople.com

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Culture is a big buzzword, but what does it actually mean? Dan Bredeson, Founder of Lead Front Consulting LLC and Author of the Amazon Bestseller "Seeds of Culture,” defines culture simply as, “how we do things.” In this episode, Dan breaks down all things culture, explains its historical significance, stresses the importance of building your credibility bank as a new leader, and so much more!

(3:39) Dan’s Background
(20:46) Summarizing Culture
(27:40) New Leadership for a Failing Team
(34:56) Creating a Psychologically Safe Environment
(42:13) Building Credibility as a Leader
(48:58) Climate of Culture

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Dan Bredeson
Founder, Lead Front Consulting LLC & Author, "Seeds of Culture"
info@danbredeson.com

WrenchWay Resources:

For Technicians & Students

• Compare & Explore Technician Pay: View salary information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
• Find Your Ideal Shop or Dealership: Looking for the best places to work? Discover and research the best shop or dealership for you at wrenchway.com/shops.

For Shops & Dealerships

• Hire Top Talent & Assist Schools: Connect with skilled technicians, engage with schools, and help elevate the auto and diesel industry with WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships. 

For Auto, Diesel, & CTE Instructors:

• Support Your Program & Connect with Industry: Get resources and equipment for your program and grow your industry partnerships with WrenchWay's free solutions for schools.

Connect with us on social:

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Shops need to be more transparent with their technicians about their financial standing, and technicians need better education on financial management and beyond. In this episode, Matt Fanslow, a Diagnostic Technician and Shop Manager at Riverside Automotive, delves into financial transparency and education, explains how positive technicians are the best salespersons for our industry, and offers guidance to technicians looking to discuss challenging topics with their managers.

(2:40) Advocating for Technician Careers
(21:40) Financial Transparency with Technicians
(41:16) Financial Education for Technicians
(49:48) Navigating Challenging Conversations with Management

Resources:
WrenchWay's Solutions for Technicians, Students, & Auto/Diesel Professionals

Enter to Win $1,000 in WrenchWay's Monthly Giveaway

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Matt Fanslow
Diagnostic Technician and Shop Manager, Riverside Automotive
Connect on LinkedIn

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Arvin Merino, the Service Director of Toyota of Seattle and Honda of Seattle, joins us to discuss the remarkable shop culture within their shops. Arvin explains how listening to shop staff, fostering relationships outside of the shop, and placing a stronger emphasis on staffing and selecting individuals with the right personalities have contributed to the overall growth of their shop culture.

(4:29) Arvin’s Journey in Automotive
(12:37) Listening & Communicating with the Team
(28:09) Building Relationships Outside of the Dealership
(37:16) Managing Different Shop Personalities
(52:53) Flexible Scheduling for Techs

Resources:
Register for TechMission National Happening November 8th, 2023

WrenchWay Local Chapters

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Arvin Merino
Service Director, Toyota of Seattle and Honda of Seattle
arvinm@miller-nicholson.com

Connect with us on social:

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