The Dealer Playbook

Updated: 10 Jul 2025 • 666 episodes
www.thedealerplaybook.com

The Dealer Playbook is the top-rated podcast for automotive professionals who want to dominate the retail industry.  Hosted by Michael Cirillo, this show delivers expert interviews, proven strategies, and actionable insights to help you sell more cars, lead stronger teams, and grow thriving dealerships.  Whether you work in sales, service, F&I, marketing, or management, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to excel in a rapidly evolving market. Join thousands of listeners every week who trust The Dealer Playbook as their go-to resource for career growth and dealership success. Subscribe now and unlock the secrets to staying ahead in the fast-paced world of retail automotive.

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In this episode I’m joined by Arthur J. Madjarian, a guy who’s been neck-deep in retail automotive, pivoted into mergers & acquisitions, and now helps dealer groups grow, exit, and scale smart. If you’ve ever wondered how M&A works in the auto industry, or whether dealership ownership is still worth chasing in 2025, th

24 min
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In this episode, my guest is Colin Carrasquillo, Digital Marketing Manager at Nielsen Auto Group. We’re diving into some of the real challenges and solutions that most dealers are thinking about but rarely talk about out loud. We talk about what it actually looks like to get your vendor partners working together instea

47 min
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In this episode, my guest is Sam Maimone from Activix, and we’re diving into a part of the car business that most people think they’ve figured out—but really haven’t: CRM. We talk about why most CRM setups are missing the mark and why buying more leads won’t solve the real problem. Sam shares what he’s seeing inside hu

26 min
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In this episode, my guest is Nicole Dolphin, Retail Development Manager at Groupe Touchette, and we’re digging into the part of the dealership that doesn’t always get its fair share of attention—Fixed Ops. Nicole shares how the service department isn’t just about oil changes and tires. It’s a relationship hub. It’s whe

21 min
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In this episode, my guest is Jill Schulman, USMC veteran, leadership coach, and author of The Bravery Effect. We dig into the surprising role that bravery plays in building high-performing cultures—not just in the military, but in dealerships, teams, and even our personal lives. Jill shares the science behind why playi

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In this episode, my guest is Alan Dickie, President - www.AlanDickie.com and a returning DPB alum. Alan’s one of those guys who doesn’t just talk about success—he breaks it down to the bone. In this conversation, we explore what he calls the “laws” that make success predictable in life and business. We talk about why m

23 min
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