AKRON—Tire dealers looking for an intensive educational program aimed at developing the next generation of tire dealers have a new option.
Northwood University, located in Midland, Mich., has introduced Tire Leadership 21, a two-week program covering a wide range of business, management and leadership topics that the organizers say are critical to the success of future independent tire dealer managers and owners.
The program was created with the help of a group of tire dealers through an organization dubbed the Center for Tire & Service Education.
Northwood is a fully accredited, private, non-profit business university that specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education.
The program's structure features a pair of one-week, on-campus sessions with students attending both sessions. The first session will take place April 14-19 at Northwood's Michigan campus; the second, Sept. 7-12 at Northwood's campus in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Between sessions, students will be required to complete an individual program that must deliver $25,000 in annual additional revenue or savings to their employers.
Cost of the program, which includes tuition, meals and class materials, is $5,995. On-campus hotel-style accommodations are available.
“This program addresses a long-standing need in the tire industry,” said Richard Brahler, president of Brahler's Truckers Supply Inc. in Jacksonville, Ill. “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.”
Educational sessions will be taught by Northwood faculty, according to Brian Cruickshank, director of the school's University of the Aftermarket.
While Tire Leadership 21 is not a degree-seeking program, it will have the same academic rigor as any degree program, he said.
Faculty will come from a combination of Northwood's DeVos Graduate School of Management and experts within the tire and service industries.
Subject matter will cover finance, accounting, business strategy, management, corporate vision, leadership, operations, industry trends, marketing and social media, team and corporate culture, the customer experience, critical thinking and problem resolution.
The 2014 Tire Leadership 21 program will be limited to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Discounts are available for dealers sending more than one participant to the program.