Having a part-time team is challenging enough, and it can be even more difficult when your business is open just one day a week…and only during the summer!
Today’s guest has found a way to overcome those challenges and consistently deliver an outstanding experience every week.
Jeff Striegle is the general manager of Berlin Raceway, a NASCAR-sanctioned short track in Michigan that presents weekly races from April through September. He also covers NASCAR races as an announcer for the Motor Racing Network.
On this episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, Jeff tells how he’s been able to build and motivate a team that has made Berlin one of the most popular and successful tracks in the nation.
Timestamps
(01:10): Jeff’s start in broadcasting
(02:30): Becoming GM at Berlin Raceway
(03:54): Attracting a team for seasonal work
(06:43): Creating a great customer experience
(09:00): Working in a challenging environment
(10:57): Lessons learned from other tracks
(13:18): Attracting big-name NASCAR drivers to a short track
(15:17): Landing the Tony Stewart SRX Series
(17:08): Adjusting the track for the SRX Series
(19:17): Next year’s SRX event at Berlin
(20:30): What’s worked and hasn’t worked at Berlin
(29:42): How to contact Jeff
Episode quotes
“I try to instill in everybody that no matter what their position is on the racetrack, they are a highly valuable employee.”
“I don’t talk about pay. We have to be consistent with the industry and consistent with the businesses that are around us.”
“Most everybody who is a part of our leadership team has dreams of working someday for the Detroit Tigers or the Lions or the Pistons. That’s not lost on me. I will tell them often that what they’re doing right now is going to be valuable to them when they’re ready to take that next step.”
“Anybody who knows me will recognize that I am a very competitive person. I want our staff to be the absolute best.”
“If all we’re going to do is race every Saturday night, you’re liable to get burned out. But if we can keep it fun and entertaining, you’re liable to keep coming back.”
“I want people that work for me and with me to see my passion.”
“I feel like I have the opportunity to teach, educate, coach, mentor, and try to help everybody. And I’m not afraid to go and talk to every single person on that property.”
“I can come up with a lot of ideas, but two people can come up with a better idea than what I can come up with by myself. And if we bring four or five more people into this discussion, we can probably come up with a home run.”
“I want to be innovative in the industry, and we’ve got a great track to be able to do that. We’ve got fans that support it. We’ve got racers that support it.”
Connect with Jeff Striegle
