Ep. 666 - What Most Dealerships Gets Wrong About CRM, with Sam Maimone

The Dealer Playbook

The Dealer Playbook
Ep. 666 - What Most Dealerships Gets Wrong About CRM, with Sam Maimone
Jun 26, 2025
Michael Cirillo

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 hundreds of dealerships and the small shifts that can completely change how your CRM performs. We also explore why skipping proper discovery can cost you, and what a good CRM process actually looks like when the people, the process, and the tech finally click.

Sam’s story is packed with hard-earned lessons—from DJ booths to dealership desks to the corporate world and back. This is a real conversation about what works, what doesn't, and how to spot the difference.

If you’ve ever wondered:

  • Why your CRM feels like a to-do list instead of a growth tool
  • What it actually takes to get your team to buy in
  • Why speed matters in lead handling more than ever

...you’re going to want to lean in for this one.

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This Episode's Sponsor

FlexDealer Need Better Quality Leads? FLX helps car dealers generate better quality leads through localized organic search and highly-targeted digital ads that convert. Not only that, they work tirelessly to ensure car dealers integrate marketing and operations for a robust and functional growth strategy.

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