🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:

theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US

Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent

Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent

X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent

Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:

Cameron Cresswell

linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guests:

Jeremy Nowling

linkedin.com/in/jeremy-nowling-20293265/

linkedin.com/company/rohrman-automotive-group/home/

Michael Clarke

linkedin.com/in/michael-clarke-motivated/

linkedin.com/company/getimpel/home/

John Clavadetscher

linkedin.com/in/john-clavadetscher-1692693/

What do a mechanic, auto electrician, salesman and Managing Director have in common? Scott Maynard!

From swinging spanners in Tasmania to leading Polestar Australia and New Zealand, Scott’s career has taken a few turns — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

In this chat with Cameron Cresswell, Scott shares why he still reckons automotive is the best game in town, what keeps the industry interesting, and why being willing to change direction might be one of the best career moves you can make.

Oh, and there’s a Ferrari confession in there too. 🏎️

🎙️ Watch the full conversation with Scott Maynard on the Automotive Talent Show.

#Automotive #AutomotiveIndustry #AutomotiveCareers #Polestar #AutomotiveTalent

🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:

theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US

Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent

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Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:

Cameron Cresswell

linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:

Scott Maynard

linkedin.com/in/scott-maynard-02424827

linkedin.com/company/polestarcars/

00:28 Introduction to Scott and His Impact

00:28 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and Reflections

00:28 Introduction and Background of Scott Maynard

00:28 Introduction to the Guest's Journey

01:08 Transitioning to Polestar and the EV Revolution

04:24 Career Journey in the Automotive Industry

06:36 Understanding the Automotive Landscape

09:09 The Evolution of Polestar in Australia

11:31 The Shift Towards Electric Vehicles

14:10 Mainstream Acceptance of EVs

16:37 The Future of Automotive and Customer Expectations

20:18 The Evolving Relationship with Electric Vehicles

22:23 From Mechanic to Executive: A Journey Through the Industry

24:42 Future Trends in the Automotive Industry

28:11 The Role of Data in Modern Vehicles

30:33 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

30:58 Introduction to Scott and His Impact

31:16 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and Reflections

Sometimes the best career advice isn't about chasing the next opportunity—it's about making the most of the one you're already in.

Vaughan Blackman explains why the biggest opportunities in his career came from doing the job in front of him exceptionally well. From Australia to leading automotive businesses in the UK, he reflects on the importance of consistency, earning trust, developing great people, embracing change, and letting your work speak for itself rather than constantly looking for what's next.

More than an interview, this feels like two old friends catching up on careers, leadership, and how the automotive industry has evolved over the years. It's an honest conversation filled with practical lessons for anyone looking to build a career, lead people well, and recognise that the next opportunity often comes from excelling in the present one.🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:

theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:

youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US

Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent

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Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:

Cameron Cresswell

linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:

Vaughan Blackman

linkedin.com/in/vaughan-blackman

linkedin.com/company/lsh-auto-uk-limited/

00:28 Introduction to Vaughan Blackman's Journey

01:14 The Vaughan Blackman Journey Begins

02:52 From Music to Marine Sales

05:56 Transitioning to Automotive Sales

09:10 Lessons from the Automotive Industry

10:57 Navigating Change in the Automotive Landscape

16:45 Understanding the Agency Model

17:56 Navigating Language Nuances in Automotive Conversations

17:56 Adapting to Business Operations in Melbourne

19:14 Scaling Leadership Across Multiple Locations

22:13 The Complexity of Agency Models in Dealerships

22:13 Understanding Income Streams in Dealership Operations

22:47 People and Process: The Core of Dealership Success

23:50 Comparing UK and Australian Automotive Markets

24:58 Insights into the UK Automotive Market Dynamics

27:01 Transaction Speeds: UK vs. Australia vs. US

29:07 The Rise of Chinese Automotive Brands

31:06 Electric Vehicles: Shaping the Future of the Market

36:28 The Evolving Electric Vehicle Market

37:01 Pursuing Education While Managing a Career

39:01 The Value of Legal Knowledge in Business

Imagine spending years becoming a criminal barrister, only to decide you’d rather sell cars.

That’s exactly what Ella Letiagina did. She left law, walked onto a Volkswagen dealership floor and started again — eventually helping take the brand from 4% market share to number one in Belarus. Then came Russia, then Australia, where she had to do something arguably harder: arrive with plenty of experience, but no reputation, no network and no shortcuts.

In this conversation, Ella and Cameron talk about what it takes to start again, earn trust in a new country and keep backing yourself when the path ahead isn’t obvious. They also get into the future of automotive — from KGM’s reinvention and the changing role of dealerships to AI, technology and why the more machines take care of the routine, the more valuable human judgement and relationships become. And if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re ready to take the next step, Ella has some pretty good advice: sometimes you just have to back yourself a little earlier.

🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:
theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US
Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent
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Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:
Cameron Cresswell
linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:
Ella Letiagina
linkedin.com/in/ella-letiagina-b7266144/
linkedin.com/company/kgm-au/

00:28 From Law to Leadership: Ella's Unique Journey
01:20 Navigating Market Volatility and Brand Reinvention
01:41 Introduction and Background
04:28 Transition from Law to Automotive
07:08 Passion for the Automotive Industry
09:26 Insights from Global Markets
11:59 Cultural Differences in Automotive
14:47 Reflections on Brand Experiences
17:29 Challenges and Humor in the Industry
19:58 Proving Yourself in a New Market
22:32 Navigating New Markets: A Humbling Experience
24:54 Building Relationships and Reputation
25:53 The Value of International Experience
26:57 The Evolution of the Dealership Model
29:07 The Role of AI in the Automotive Industry
32:41 Reflections on Personal Growth and Advice
38:32 From Belarus to Australia: A Journey of Resilience
39:01 Building a Reputation in a New Land

What happens when AI stops being a tool you add to the dealership — and starts becoming part of how the dealership actually operates?

In this episode of The Automotive Talent Show, Cameron Cresswell sits down with Ed Tapley from Podium to look well beyond the current AI hype and into what automotive retail could actually become. From AI sales agents and AI “chiefs of staff” to AI managers, agent-to-agent interactions and buyer-side AI, Ed shares a fascinating perspective on how technology could fundamentally reshape the way dealerships generate demand, manage customers, structure teams and measure performance.

Ed Tapley talks about why the biggest opportunity may not be making today's dealership more efficient, but rebuilding the machine for the operating environment of the future. They explore the shift from “rented demand” to “owned demand”, why dealerships may need to rethink traditional KPIs, how AI could give sales and service teams more time for the moments that actually matter, and why the organisations that win won't necessarily be the ones with the most technology — but the ones that understand how to redesign their business around it.

The future of automotive retail may not be human versus AI. It may be humans and AI working together in ways the industry hasn't fully imagined yet.



🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:
theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US
Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent
Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent
X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent
Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:
Cameron Cresswell
linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:
Ed Tapley
linkedin.com/in/edwardtapley/
linkedin.com/company/podium/

00:29 Meet Ed Tapley
04:47 The AI opportunity for dealerships
12:11 Redesigning dealership operations
19:28 AI agents, data and real-time insight
30:26 AI, staffing and retention
38:38 AI leadership and ownership
44:20 The future of automotive retail
48:08 Where to start with AI
52:06 Connect with Podium

From dreaming of a career in professional football to leading one of Australia's highest-performing Mazda dealerships, Luke Camilleri has built his leadership philosophy around one simple idea: great dealerships are built like great sporting teams.

Luke Camilleri talks about why culture isn't something you talk about—it's something you practise every day. We explore recruitment, accountability, adapting to change, leading through crises, creating a team-first mentality, and why celebrating the small wins is what ultimately drives long-term success. Luke also shares how marketing, leadership, and customer experience all improve when everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Whether you're leading a dealership, managing a team, or simply looking to build a stronger culture, this conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons that extend well beyond the automotive industry.

🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:
theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US
Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent
Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent
X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent
Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:
Cameron Cresswell
linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:
Luke Camilleri
linkedin.com/in/luke-camilleri-44b04362/
linkedin.com/company/aspley-mazda/

00:00 Introduction to Luke Camilleri
00:28 Introduction to Luke Camellieri and His Journey
00:48 Running a Dealership Like a High-Performance Team
01:06 Transforming Traditional Business Practices
02:18 Luke's Journey into the Automotive Industry
06:39 Lessons from Early Experiences
11:05 Adapting to Change in the Automotive Industry
16:27 The Importance of Community and Social Media
25:48 Building the 'Car Man' Brand
27:02 Evolving Marketing Strategies
32:46 Creating a Destination Experience
38:53 Building a Strong Team Culture
44:06 Hiring for Fit and Potential
48:16 Future Growth and Consistency
49:52 The Importance of Discipline in Leadership
50:17 Hiring for Culture and Engagement
50:21 Transforming Traditional Business Practices

The automotive industry is changing faster than ever. Customer expectations are evolving, technology continues to reshape the dealership experience, and service departments can no longer rely on doing things the way they've always been done.

Kieran Stack talks about why embracing change isn't optional for today's dealerships. From coaching service advisers and developing stronger leaders to improving customer communication and building service departments that customers genuinely want to return to, he shares the practical mindset shifts that separate thriving dealerships from those that get left behind.

Whether you're a dealer principal, service manager, service adviser, or someone building a career in automotive, this episode is packed with practical insights on leadership, aftersales performance, customer experience, and why the dealerships that continue to evolve will always have the competitive advantage.

🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:
theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US
Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent
Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent
X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent
Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:
Cameron Cresswell
linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:
Kieran Stack
linkedin.com/in/kieran-stack-49060246
linkedin.com/company/service101/

00:00 Introduction to Kieran Stack
02:05 Kieran's Journey to Australia and Training
03:27 The Philosophy of Service 101
05:13 The Role of Service Advisors
09:54 The Changing Landscape of Service Advisors
11:31 The Importance of Training and Communication
17:25 Selling vs. Helping in Service Departments
22:51 Consequences of Neglecting Vehicle Maintenance
28:01 Feature, Function, Consequence in Service Sales
29:15 The Evolution of Communication in Service Advising
31:23 The Importance of Effective Communication
35:37 Understanding Customer Needs and Rejections
40:22 Creating a Memorable Customer Experience
46:42 The Role of Technology in Service Advising
50:59 The Future of Service Departments
56:45 Final Outro.mp4

F&I is often viewed as a numbers game—but the best leaders know it's about much more than finance, products, and profitability.

In this episode of The Automotive Talent Show, Anthony Maluccio shares the leadership principles that have shaped his career in automotive, exploring how trust, culture, customer relationships, and developing people ultimately drive long-term business success.

Anthony Maluccio talks about why the best F&I leaders think beyond the numbers, focusing on building strong teams, creating exceptional customer experiences, and making decisions that strengthen dealerships for the long term. His insights are practical, honest, and highly relevant for anyone leading in today's automotive industry.

Whether you're a Business Manager, F&I professional, Dealer Principal, department leader, or simply passionate about the future of automotive retail, this conversation offers valuable lessons on leadership, performance, and building businesses that last.

🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER:
theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com

🎬 Full Episodes:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu

🎬 Clips & Shorts:
youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts

📱 FOLLOW US
Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent
Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent
X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent
Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/

👥 Host:
Cameron Cresswell
linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/

🎤 Guest:
Anthony Maluccio
linkedin.com/in/anthony-maluccio/
linkedin.com/company/think-auto-pty-ltd/about/


00:00 Introduction to Automotive Talent Show
01:45 Anthony Maluccio's Journey into Automotive Finance
03:38 The Unique Role of F&I in Dealerships
05:08 Navigating Sales and Finance Dynamics
07:35 Evolution of F&I Practices Over Two Decades
08:32 Current Challenges in the F&I Landscape
11:32 Compliance in the F&I World
14:04 The Role of Technology in Compliance
17:20 Changing Customer Expectations and Education
20:03 Best Practices for Dealerships in a Competitive Market
23:42 The Future of EV Financing and Market Adaptation
26:36 The Evolving Automotive Landscape
28:35 The Role of Business Managers in Dealerships
32:24 Finance as a Service: The Changing Dynamics
35:36 Future Predictions for F&I Desks
39:02 The Evolution of Think Auto
44:39 Scaling and Adapting to Market Changes
53:21 Final Outro.mp4