Northwood University and the newly formed Center for Tire & Service Education (CTSE) have announced a new business education program targeting North American independent tire dealers.
The new education program–Tire Leadership 21–was specifically designed to develop the next generation of tire dealer managers and owners. It covers a wide range of business, management and leadership topics that are critical to the success of future independent tire-dealer managers and owners. The program was created through a unique collaboration between a group of leading tire dealers (CTSE) and Northwood University, a fully accredited, private, nonprofit business university that specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education.
“This program addresses a long-standing need in the tire industry,” said Rich Brahler, president of commercial tire dealer Brahler’s Truckers Supply, Inc. in Jacksonville, Ill., and a founding member of the CTSE Advisory Board. “Every tire dealer has wondered where they will find good managers to run a new store or how to retain and grow key employees to make this a career and not just a job. This program was designed to foster that growth.”
Kim Sigman, co-owner of Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair in Phoenix, Ariz., and another founding member of the CTSE Advisory Board, added, “More and more, independent tire dealers face serious questions about growth opportunities, key employee retention, even succession planning. With every one of those questions, we came back to the same conclusion: This industry sorely needs an effective, proven way to help our employees grow as businesspeople and managers. This program accomplishes that goal.”
The program’s structure features a pair of one-week, on-campus sessions (participants attend both sessions). Session I will be held April 14-19 at Northwood’s campus in Midland, Mich. Participants will reconvene Sept. 7-12 at Northwood’s campus in West Palm Beach, Fla. Between Sessions I and II, participants will be required to complete an individual project that must deliver $25,000 in annual additional revenue or savings to their employers.
Academic support of the program comes from Northwood University and its University of the Aftermarket continuing education division. The University of the Aftermarket manages executive and continuing education programs targeted to the motor vehicle aftermarket. Northwood was founded in 1959 and grants bachelor’s (BBA) and master’s (MBA) degrees in a variety of business disciplines, including automotive aftermarket management. Although Tire Leadership 21 is a non-degree, continuing education program, it still leverages Northwood’s extensive academic resources, including its world-class faculty and residential campuses
“Northwood University has a long-standing relationship with the motor vehicle aftermarket parts and service industry,” said Northwood President Keith Pretty. “We are especially pleased to partner with such an outstanding group of independent tire dealers to develop a business skills program of this caliber.”
Faculty for Tire Leadership 21 will come from a combination of Northwood’s DeVos Graduate School of Management and subject-matter experts from within the tire and service industries. The program will also include a series of recognized experts–from within and outside of the tire and service industry–to serve as guest speakers.
The program includes on a range of university-level tire dealer focused business, management and leadership subjects:
• Finance
• Accounting
• Business Strategy
• Management
• Corporate Vision
• Leadership
• Operations
• Industry Trends
• Marketing & Social Media
• Team & Corporate Culture
• The Customer Experience
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Resolution
The 2014 Tire Leadership 21 program will be limited to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. The program cost, which includes tuition, meals and class materials, is $5,995. Hotel-style, on-campus accommodations are available. All management-track/management-potential North American tire dealer employees are eligible to attend.
