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Design Management Essentials

 

Program Dates: January 25-May 21, 2027

Recommended for current or aspiring Dealer Design Managers.

The 16-week curriculum develops essential management competencies including the transition from technical expert to people leader, team management and performance optimization, operational systems development, and strategic leadership. The program prepares participants to drive both team performance and employee engagement.

In this program you will learn:

Module 1:  Transition to Management  

  • Week 1: From Designer to Manager  
  • Week 2: Building Management Credibility  
  • Week 3: Time Management for Managers 
  • Week 4: Understanding Organizational Context 
  • Week 5: Building Your Management Philosophy 

Module 2:  Managing Teams & Performance 

  • Week 6: Hiring and Onboarding Design Talent  
  • Week 7: Managing Different Personality Types  
  • Week 8: Performance Management Fundamentals 
  • Week 9: Developing Designer Capabilities 
  • Week 10: Difficult Conversations and Conflict Resolution  
  • Week 11: Motivation and Engagement  

Module 3:  Operational Optimization 

  • Week 12: Design Department Operations  
  • Week 13: Metrics and Performance Measurement 
  • Week 14: Budget Management and Financial Planning  
  • Week 15: Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement  

Module 4:  Management in Action 

  • Week 16: Management Capstone and Action Planning 

Try Out What You’ve Learned:

  • Integration of management concepts and skills 
  • Real-world management challenge application 
  • 90-day action plan development 
  • Peer learning and ongoing support network 

Things to Know:

  • Purchasing on behalf of a team member? Please email info@dealerdesignguild.com with the learner's name and email address so we can get them set up with full access to program materials.
  • All purchases are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend the session you purchased, we are happy to apply your enrollment to a future session within the same calendar year, subject to availability.
  • Each session requires a minimum number of participants to run. If this minimum is not met, we may contact you to arrange enrollment in a future session.
  • Access to this program and all associated materials is granted to the individual purchaser only and may not be shared or transferred to another person.