The BMF Diploma in Merchant Management (or DiMM for short) has gone through many developments and changes over the years and has “successfully advanced hundreds of managers and aspiring managers in the builders’ merchant industry”. And now there are even more ways to study for the qualification…
Developed specifically for merchants entering management, and taking 18 months, nine assessments, and two projects to complete, the DiMM is a truly bespoke qualification. The programme is based wholly on the merchant industry, and written in language and scenarios that all merchants will relate to and understand.
The course has been shown not only to improve an individual’s confidence and competence in their daily operations, but also to enhance customer, supplier and staff relationships. And as every employer knows, improving the skills of current colleagues and promoting from within is generally far more beneficial to their business than hiring from outside their organisation.
This success and widespread national demand for DiMM has led to the development of a variety options for undertaking and completing the course, to accommodate the requirements of the broadest range of merchant operations, whether national, regional or independent.
“As every employer knows, improving the skills of current colleagues and promoting from within is generally far more beneficial to their business than hiring from outside their organisation.”
Aside from keeping the programme routinely up to date, the Covid-19 pandemic required a special response, and helped usher in the Diploma Online. The DiMM is now fully available in group webinar format, using the latest technology and innovations to deliver a great distance learning experience online.
To help those who are unsure if they want to commit to the whole programme in one go, the BMF Certificate in Merchant Management (CiMM) is a shortened programme that covers the first three Modules of the full Diploma and takes only six months to complete. While it is a stand-alone qualification, the shorter course acts as an introduction to the full Diploma — and a majority on every group that has joined the CiMM programme has decided to continue to the DiMM, completing the remaining six Modules after a break.
The latest evolution brings about the Certificate and Diploma ‘Solo’ programmes, an ideal format for one-to-one Distance Learners with distinct advantages for some candidates. First, there is no waiting time for a group to be formed — candidates will be assigned their own personal tutor and can start the course at any time.
This is the ideal solution for companies with just one or two potential candidates for either programme. It is also well suited to those who enjoy working alone or those with dyslexia, and who find it easier to self-motivate, rather than working as part of a larger group.
In summary, the programme has grown into:
- A fully up-to-date, nine Module Diploma (DiMM).
- A nine Module group distance learning programme (DiMM online).
- A shortened three Module Certificate (CiMM), which can lead to the DiMM.
- A one-to-one distance learning programme (CiMM/DiMM Solo).
The BMF Diploma in Merchant Management is the go-to qualification for those embarking on their management journey, and for those looking to hone and refine their current managerial skillset.
For more information on BMF DiMM and CiMM programmes, please contact Becky Stokes, BMF Training & Admin Support at becky.stokes@bmf.org.uk
