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.
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.

What makes someone dream of being in the car business, and then actually make it happen?
In this episode, I sit down with Tara Willis, a seasoned automotive professional who turned her childhood love for cars into a 20-year career working with major automotive brands like BMW, Subaru, Nissan, and Infiniti. Tara now leads product marketing and incentives planning at Infiniti, and she’s using her voice to shape what leadership looks like in today’s auto industry.
We talk about how she found her footing in a predominantly male space, the lessons she’s learned sitting in boardrooms across the automotive world, and what it really takes to create workplaces where every voice can be heard. Tara shares honest reflections about mentorship, empathy, and the power of communication, especially when intent and impact don’t always line up.
We also dive into why she believes there’s still so much hope in the future of car buying and the automotive industry, from evolving technology to stronger community connections through dealership philanthropy. And she shares how her work with Empowering Auto is helping inspire the next generation of car industry leaders.
If you’re passionate about car sales, automotive leadership, or the human side of this business, this conversation will remind you why the industry is worth believing in.