Gabrielle (Gabi) Abinion is the General Manager at Fox Valley Volkswagen of St. Charles. With a rich family history in the automotive business, Gabi brings a unique perspective to her role, blending tradition with innovation to drive success. Her dedication to empowering her team and fostering a c...

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Whitlock, the president of Innovation Financial Services, to explore the fascinating journey of automotive entrepreneurship. We dive into Steve's unique background, starting from his days as a firefighter to his eventual transition into the car business. ...

Have you ever wondered how a personal crisis might just be the catalyst for a profound transformation in how you lead your team? That's the story Scott Greenberg, author of "Stop the Shift Show," brings to our table as we unravel the potential of culture within organizations. What ...

In this episode we dive into the world of ASOTUCON joined by two industry heavyweights, Paul Daly and Kyle Mountsier.  In this episode we kick things off with a question that's been buzzing in the minds of industry professionals: Why should ASOTUCON be on your radar? What sets it apart fro...

Charles Cannon is the General Manager at Lexus of Serramonte. Charles Cannon developed a passion for the car business during his career of over 20 years. Along with Rules to the Game, he has also written a book called The 10 Things to Look for in a Professional Salesperson. Charles has bee...

Kyler Kropf is the founder of SaddleBrooke Life , a business specializing in building beautiful and spacious tiny homes. In this episode we delve into Kyler's incredible journey from growing up Amish to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the real estate industry and the essent...

Ed Roberts is the Chief Operating Officer at Bozard Ford Lincoln and is breaking the conventional way of running a car dealership by constantly seeking to push beyond the status quo. In this episode, Ed shares his journey in the auto industry, starting from being homeless to becoming...

In this episode Michael Cirillo sits down with Allie Peters, the newly appointed Vice President of Service Operations at Cavender Auto Group.  Join Michael and Allie as they delve into the surprising twists and turns of her career in the automotive industry. Discover how Allie's ambition...

In a rapidly changing automotive industry, dealerships are facing a critical crossroad: rising costs that threaten their profitability. As capital demands increase and employee expenses surge, how can dealerships find the perfect balance between expenses and revenue? Is there a way to unlock hidden ...

Lou Ramirez is the CEO of Solutions at The Certified Solutionaries and co-host of the Car Guy Coffee podcast. Discover the layers of their inspiring conversation as they explore the importance of encouraging individuals within the automotive business and eradicating negative stigmas assoc...

Ann-Marie Johnson is the Director of partner relationship at ASOTU. In this episode, We discussed her journey in the automotive industry, the concept of "moments of truth," and how it applies to both personal and professional interactions. By recognizing the importance of these moments, An...

David Kain is the President of KainAutomotive.com. His life is fuelled by two great passions: helping good people become exceptional salespeople and conquering challenging trails on his mountain bike. Born into a family that believed in the power of the automotive industry, David is one of nine sib...

Joshua Negron is a seasoned Director of Business Development with a wealth of experience in the automotive industry. Over the years, he has honed his skills in business development, advertising, lead generation, personnel management, leadership, customer service, sales, and business software. In th...

In this episode, Michael experiments with something new by revisiting an older episode that has stood the test of time. With nearly 600 episodes, many of them recorded in a way that ensures they remain evergreen, Michael dives into an interview with Grant Cardone that was recorded six years prior. T...

Sandy Zannino is the founder of Innovative Auto HR Solutions and started in the car business in 1998 as a dealer’s assistant and corporate office manager. She's a passionate problem solver with a broad range of experience and has found ways to save dealers money while minimizing risks and ...

Emer Sanabria is an accomplished Marine Corps veteran and a highly-successful business leader. His experience both on and off the battlefield has made him a sought-after leadership consultant with a track record for turning stagnant businesses into growth machines.  What we discuss in this e...

As we approach the end of 2022, it's important to reflect on the events of the past year and look toward the future. This year has certainly been a rollercoaster, with the ongoing pandemic, economic challenges, and various other obstacles. However, it's also been a year of resilience, innova...

Shaka Dyson is the Founder and CEO of Dealer F&I University, He was also a teenage father, a high school dropout, and somebody abandoned by his mom at two years old. Today's guest truly knows how hard life can be. Today, as an entrepreneur, a business expert, and a powerful speaker, he's...

Glen Lundy is the CEO of the 800% Elite Automotive Club and founder of Breakfast with Champions on Clubhouse. Lundy is an extremely successful automotive industry expert who has made it his mission to help other dealers across North America. Glenn grew a small dealership in a 9,600-person town by 8...

Dan Collingridge is the chief technology officer at flexdealer.com. Dan Collingridge has always been focused on technology from day one. But he had no clue that that passion would lead him into a career in the auto industry.  In this episode, Dan talks about how he met Michael again later in l...

Scott Simons is a  successful car dealer that is involved in multiple businesses across many industries. Scott’s main focus is in the auto industry. He is the Managing Partner and General Manager of five Carter Myers Automotive dealerships in West Virginia. He is a speaker, business consu...

Bart Nollenberger is an Executive Director with the John Maxwell Team, automotive trainer, and author. In this episode, Bart shares his compelling story of recovery and sobriety and the four steps to help shape the next generation of automotive professionals.    What we discuss in t...

Today's conversation with Brett Morris, Chairman at PerceptionPredict, stemmed from one of Michael's LinkedIn posts about the important need for amazing car sales professionals. Brett commented on the post with a compelling chart visualizing how high-performing employees can be predicted wit...

Brooke Furniss is the President/Founder of BZ Consultants Group and host of the Facts Not Feelings automotive podcast. In this episode of the show, aside from talking about her obsession with Nike sneakers, we explore the attributes of successful leaders within the retail car business.  Key ...

Stacey Hanke is the author of "Influence Redefined... Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be," and is on a mission to equip leaders within organizations to communicate with confidence, presence, and authenticity. She is a world-renowned keynote speaker and has been featured in Forbes, The New ...

Paul J. Daly is the founder of ASOTU.com, the first-ever dealer-owned publication in the automotive industry. Michael and Paul recently joined up to collaborate at NADA with live streams, social media posting, and video production. What we discuss in this episode: Perfection is the enemy of &q...

Liza Borches is the CEO of the Carter Myers Auto Group and is a shining light in the retail auto industry when it comes to culture, leadership, and thought-leadership. With several rooftops (and expanding) and hundreds of employees, Liza has proven that a healthy work environment can, in fact, drive...

Durran Cage has spent over 19 years in the retail automotive industry serving in various capacities, including OEM District Sales Manager, High-Performance Internet Director and GSM, and Digital Retail Consultant. Today he's focused on helping dealers improve their online customer experience th...

Erikka Tiffani is a co-founder of the Women of Color Automotive Network (WOCAN) which was founded to attract, support, connect and empower women of color in the automotive industry. What we discuss with Erikka Tiffani: How to stand up and stand out in the retail automotive industry. Erikka share...

David J. Long is the Executive General Manager for Hansel Auto Group in California and has helped thousands of individuals throughout his career reach new heights through the power of a positive mindset. What we discuss with David Long: The real change-makers in the retail auto industry all have...

Alex Flores is the dealer principal and GM of Capitol Chevrolet, Seguin Chevrolet, and has led both stores to unprecedented growth. Prior to Alex Flores’s tenure, Capitol was selling 216 cars per month, but once he stepped in, that number rose to a whopping 762 cars per month. What we discuss...

David Spisak has 27 years of retail automotive experience during which he owned and operated single-point stores and large groups. He was the operator of Smythe European, a Mercedes-Benz dealership that generated a whopping $23.7 million in NET profit. What we discuss with David Spisak: David re...

"A bad culture is still a culture." Moving into 2021 and beyond, car dealers worldwide must focus on creating an inclusive, nurturing, and diverse culture. Think of it as the local business's last stand against the wiles of the digital beast. Dealership leaders are responsible for ...

Joshua Mitchell is the Internet Sales Director at Capitol Chevy Austin, a BDC trainer and founder of the BDC RAW event and podcast. Joshua joins The Dealer Playbook to discuss how car dealers can evolve strategically as leaders, employers, teams, and customer specialists in 2021 and beyond. Joshua...

In this episode, Michael provides a logical and straightforward breakdown of attracting more of what you want in life.  Whether it's better relationships, money, love, happiness or fulfillment, the secret to getting more of what you want is in your proximity to those things.  Gener...

Andrew Lemoine knows what it takes to climb the ladder in the retail car business. He's done it, and is proof that others can do it as well. He's worked as a sales professional, and worked his way to becoming a General Sales Manager, General Manager and now, Technology Founder.  Case...

If the obsession is always monetary, the fulfillment will never come. Why? When you're optimizing for something that, if not managed properly, can be a big stress and distraction, you won't get the feeling of fulfillment which serves as a larger measuring stick for success.  We hear ...

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Sure, talking about the importance of a corporate mission isn't as sexy sounding as the silver bullet promise of instant results, but there's a reason why some dealers make big money for longer while others seem to struggle month after month.  With a massive curve ball thrown at car ...

Are you feeling stressed because you're not quite sure how to promote your dealership during these crazy times? The DPB community has been pouring over their quesitons, and it today's episode Michael Cirillo shares three steps you can take to attract, engage, and convert vehicle buyers at ...

 Maj. Justin Lee, USAF is an active F-35 Joint Strike Force pilot who has earned four air medals over the span of over 400 combat flight hours. There is an incredible amount of wisdom about strategic business operations that can be learned from Major Lee's experience as a fighter pilot, wh...

Evolution isn't something you should fear, it's something you should and must embrace. Over the last 30 years, Danny has experienced many shifts in the business which have caused him to grow -- the ultimate goal. Rather than being fearful of change, seek small ways to embrace it each day, ...

Danny Blanchard is no stranger to the retail car business. Since his start as a teenager, he has worked every position within the dealership from the lube pit to ownership. Today, Danny is the Dealer Principal and GM of two stores in Alberta Canada and shares his wisdom about creating a growth cul...

 Leadership is much more than a title or rank. It is the embodiment of character traits, behaviors, and mindset to serve others and produce results. While an increase in pay may seem appealing, it's more important to acquire the skills and mindset necessary for leadership, which ultimatel...

 With a background in PR and landing her clients interviews with the likes of Barbara Walters and Anderson Cooper, Kristen Hinman shares valuable insights about how car dealers can get the right exposure for their dealerships....

What is the financial return on investment on happy employees? Ben Baker, founder of "Your Brand Marketing" shares the shocking value that happiness can bring to your dealership.   He also shares the difference between managers and leaders, and the negative impact that high tu...

Ok, so what's the deal with emotional intelligence? Why do business leaders like Gary Vaynerchuk talk so much about it? Alex Swire-Clark, host of the rapport advantage podcast and CEO of Solar Inc., shares his best advice about why it's important and how it can positively impact your deale...

There is much more to language than the words we speak, or the way we move our body - and that's where John Klymshyn comes in. Author of 11 books on the topic, John teaches that the power of language can truly inspire those around us to create massive gains in life.  In episode 181, you&...

In today's dealerships, it's more important than ever for leadership who walk the walk, not just talk the talk. In this powerbomb, Claude Silver shares one way that VaynerMedia demonstrates how much they care about their team members....

Claude Silver is the Chief Heart Officer of VaynerMedia, one of Gary Vaynerchuk's portfolio companies with over 750 employees.   In this episode, Claude shares her unique perspective as the one responsible for edifying, building, and mentoring the VaynerMedia team. She also shares w...

Do you have ideas that you believe will be awesome, but you've struggled to get buy-in from your staff or leadership? In this episode, Michael shares some ideas about how to get buy-in from your team so that you can achieve your definition of success within the dealership.   Share t...

With over 17,000 successful hiring campaigns under his belt, Craig Lockerd shares powerful advice about what it takes to find, hire, and retain top talent for your dealership. Buckle up–this one’s a doozy. What we discuss in this episode:  04:20 – Artificial Intelligence &...

Stacey Hanke shares what influence is and how you can become a person of influence. She mentions that your name is on everything you do. You get to decide how people perceive you and build your own reputation and influence. If you're wondering how you can become a better leader or professional...

Doug Lipp is the former head of training for Disney University and global consultant to some of the world's largest companies. A best selling author, Doug shares the keys to growing a successful dealership including where the mindset of all employees and leaders should be. You'll hear firs...

Michael Phillips developed a passion for helping others in a very organic way when he served as a hockey coach to over 6,000 kids. As a coach, he learned valuable skills that have helped him as a business owner and as a dealership employee. Unlike others, Mike has had the unique opportunity to wor...

This week I'm joined by my pal, Subi Ghosh, Senior Director of Dealer Strategy at Stream Companies to pick up a conversation that we've been having for the last few years.  Who has a continuous conversation for YEARS, you might ask? We do! Why? Because it's something th...

As it turns out, working toward your legacy is the best way to yield massive gains as a General Manager in any business, but specifically in a car dealership.  In episode 126 I'm joined by Car Veteran, Jim "Alpha Dawg" Ziegler who shares the activities that a General Manager sh...

Frank J. Lopes cuts to the chase and shares the top three things you can do to filter out all of the noise in the retail car business and build a juggernaut dealership.  Let's face it, there is a lot of information out there. At best, much of it conflicts. It can be difficult to know wha...

Jordan Harbinger is the host of The Art of Charm podcast and joins me to talk about how to win more business by building and strengthening relationships of trust with anyone.   In episode 113 you'll hear Jordan share some hands-on and practical ways to meet more people, bu...

Glenn Pasch is the CEO of PCG Digital Marketing. He has more than 20 years of experience in training, leadership, and managing individuals.   In this episode, Glenn shares the blueprint for helping inspire, grow, manage and train a fail-proof team.   Loving this epi...

Alan Schaefer (Five Star Iris) is not only one of the coolest guys you'll ever meet, his wisdom about collaboration and leadership are second to none.   In episode 107, you'll learn how to achieve success faster by governing yourself and controlling your thoughts and outputs.&nb...

Back for the second time, Coach Micheal Burt is never short on delivering power.   In episode 106 you'll discover how to find a mentor and what impact having a mentor will have on your career, no matter what industry you're in.  So many people seek the money first, when Co...

Gary Vaynerchuk is one of the most prominent Entrepreneurs of the 21st century. As the founder and CEO of VaynerMedia, a 700+ person digital marketing agency, Gary has learned a thing or two about starting and growing a business.  He is now on a mission to share what he's learned with ot...

Mat Koenig, CEO of Buscador de Auto, is no stranger to creating winning culture and helping teams achieve their potential. From his days managing sales teams in the dealership to his current role as CEO, Mat shares some valid points about what it will take for you to reconnect with your team membe...

The automotive industries most electrifying podcast is back for session 84 with some creative strategies for today’s automotive professional. We have a return guest that we have to go back 82 episodes to his first appearance on DPB the founder and president of the auto industries largest re...

Team DPB is back with session 79!   If you have been tuning into any of the past DPB episodes you know we love to chat it up about marketing and other creative avenues to grow your dealership and brand but in this session we take another approach.   No matter how great your marketing...

Back at ya DPB Podcast session 76 rolling out on Christmas Eve 2015 and we have a insanely powerful show for you.  In this episode we have the pleasure of sitting down with an amazing individual by the name of Coach Michael Burt. The Super Coach Michael Burt is unique blend of a former cham...

Episode 75 of the DPB Podcast is in the house and we are super pumped you are here. It has been a insanely great time having all these conversations with all these great people! This episode is no different. You are going to love it! We are happy to be having our friend Mr. Duane Cummings on DPB....

Joe Calloway helps business leaders, owners, and entrepreneurs make great companies even better. His interactive keynote presentations and workshops enable organizations to focus on what is truly important, inspire new thinking about challenges and opportunities, and motivate people to immediate a...

In episode 70 of DPB, Michael brings you powerful advice that will help you thrive in your automotive career. What starts as a valid question, turns into a bit of a rant, but ultimately, those that listen to this episode and take the advice will find lasting, sustainable success. Michael kic...

Today’s conversation is an intense one with business expert Dan Waldschmidt. Dan and his team help companies all over the world arrive at business-changing breakthrough ideas by moving past outdated conventional wisdom, social peer pressure, and the selfish behaviors that stop them from bei...

Rory Vaden, MBA CSP is Cofounder of Southwestern Consulting, a Self-Discipline Strategist, and an Internationally Renowned Speaker. His first book Take the Stairs was a #1 Wall St Journal and #2 New York Times bestseller. His new book Procrastinate on Purpose is the first book ever to focus on th...

    Welcome back to The Dealer Playbook Podcast session #34! Our guest today is 30-year automotive vet Mr. Chris Walsh, founder of Vets-Cars and a wealth of knowledge and stories of the constantly evolving automotive industry.   "In today's market, if you have a car shopp...

In session 31 of The Dealer Playbook Podcast, we sat down with Joe Cala. Joe is the General Manager of Dealer Synergy and is one of the most inspirational, motivating individuals within the car business.   "Good information minus Application equals Good Information" - JOE CALA &...

You ever hear someone say "It's time to go back to the basics"? What does that mean exactly? Do we really think that just going back to the basics is the solution for growth in business? In this episode of "The Dealer Playbook" podcast, we welcome sales trainer Cory Mosley...

Sales Manager for "Cardone Training Technologies" David Bradley sits down with " The Dealer Playbook" to talk about "How To Build A Winning Sales Team" in today's dealerships. Dave is a long-time friend who knows inside and out how to build a powerful sales team ...

When it comes to running and or owning an automotive dealership, monitoring your ROI is crucial to a successful operation. When you are buying more internet leads, doing a direct mail campaign, or switching website providers, ROI always comes up in the conversation. Ever notice that? Where you do ...

While I was attending the Internet Sales 20 Group in Atlantic City a few weeks ago, I had the incredible privilege of listening to and eventually interviewing Dr. Willie Jolley. While I do admit to not knowing who he was previous to the conference, I was completely blown away by his message; somet...

In the dealership business, your team’s attitude is crucial. Today's automotive consumers are smart. They know when you’re being sincere, and they know when you’re feeding them a line of bull. Dive into this episode with one of the automotive industry’s top experts, Tr...

It’s no secret that in today’s automotive market, providing a “Wow Experience” for shoppers is an absolute must. Car dealers all over the world invest tons of money and time in making sure customers are taken care of and are getting a top-notch shopping experience. It is ...

If you want to pack your dealership with elite professionals, there’s no way to cut corners on building a disciplined recruitment strategy. Hiring someone who doesn’t fit your dealership culture or who isn’t qualified hurts your team. You’re only as strong as your weakest ...