The Succession Shift: How Planning Now Saves Your Future and Your Legacy

The Succession Shift: How Planning Now Saves Your Future and Your Legacy

Released Tuesday, 5th August 2025
Good episode? Give it some love!
The Succession Shift: How Planning Now Saves Your Future and Your Legacy

The Succession Shift: How Planning Now Saves Your Future and Your Legacy

The Succession Shift: How Planning Now Saves Your Future and Your Legacy

The Succession Shift: How Planning Now Saves Your Future and Your Legacy

Tuesday, 5th August 2025
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What happens when your shop's future depends on more than just hustle?


In this episode of Maximum Octane, Kim Hickey and Jason Patel sit down with ATI President Ron Greenman for a masterclass on succession planning, leadership evolution, and building a sustainable future for your business.


Ron shares real-life examples from his own unexpected path to leadership and how ATI’s growth exposed the cracks in traditional succession models. From the overlooked pitfalls of leadership transitions to the critical role of ongoing training, Ron breaks down what shop owners must do today to avoid chaos tomorrow.


Tune in to episode 123 of Maximum Octane and discover how a strong succession plan, future-focused leadership, and a commitment to training can elevate your shop from day-to-day survival to long-term success.


This episode is a must-listen for any shop owner who wants to lead with purpose and exit with confidence.


Episode Takeaways:

  • 1:30 What Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell tour teaches us about legacy and handoffs
  • 2:40 Why most succession plans fail the first time and what to do about it
  • 4:10 What succession planning really means (hint: it’s not just selling your shop)
  • 6:30 Selective hearing: Why shop owners miss the point on planning
  • 7:00 The hidden failure in ATI's own management structure and how they’re fixing it
  • 8:50 PSA: What not to say if you’re applying to be a coach
  • 11:30 Ron’s career pivot: From CFO spreadsheets to leading ATI's mission
  • 13:10 Shrinking business model? Why growth is survival
  • 16:20 "I’m ready for change" vs. actually changing
  • 20:30 Before you spend another dollar, are you using what you already pay for?
  • 24:00 Why 40 hours of training per year should be the bare minimum
  • 27:10 Career development in small shops: Stop using size as an excuse
  • 32:50 Shop CEOs in training: Have a destination or risk wandering aimlessly
  • 34:10 Rebuilding the team: Why direction is nothing without people


Connect with Ron Greenman:


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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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From The Podcast

Maximum Octane is the high-performance podcast for automotive shop owners ready to accelerate their leadership, culture, and profitability. Hosted by industry veterans Kim Hickey and Jason Patel from Automotive Training Institute (ATI), each episode takes you under the hood of the nation's most successful auto repair shops to uncover the tools, tactics, and mindset shifts fueling next-level results.This season, Maximum Octane brings raw, real conversations from ATI SuperConference 2025 in Hawaii—featuring shop owners who are transforming their businesses by investing in what matters most: people, process, and purpose. From using Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs) to create superfans and elevate trust, to building training-first cultures that unlock loyalty, growth, and long-term success, these are the stories that inspire action. The season explores the shift from technician to technologist, the power of structure and team leadership, and the innovative thinking driving the automotive industry forward in a time of rapid change.If you're a shop owner looking to scale sustainably, retain top-tier talent, maximize your Average Repair Order (ARO), or future-proof your business against ever-advancing vehicle technology—this podcast delivers the mindset and methods to get you there. You’ll gain field-tested strategies from ATI’s top-performing members, with deep dives into DVIs, workflow efficiency, culture-building, team accountability, talent development, technician training, and actionable steps to grow your shop’s revenue, reputation, and resilience.Because in today’s market, it’s not just about fixing cars—it’s about building a business people believe in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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