Training That Builds Capable Buyers and Confident Teams
Strong buying teams don’t just keep up with the pace of the industry—they drive it. With the right training, your buyers become sharper, faster, and more strategic, so your whole business benefits.
Why Training Matters...
In most companies, buyers learn by doing. That can work for a while, but over time, the gaps add up. Ranges take longer to finalize. Numbers aren’t managed as confidently. Senior leaders spend too much time covering ground their teams should own.
Training closes those gaps before they hold the business back. It ensures every buyer, at every level, is equipped to make sound commercial decisions and contribute to results.
now offering
How I Support Teams
Every team has a mix of experience levels, and every business has different goals. That’s why I design training that matches your people to your priorities.
I offer
- Virtual training – flexible, accessible sessions for distributed or global teams
- In-person workshops – tailored, on-site training that builds skills and strengthens collaboration in real time
- Training resources – practical tools and frameworks teams can apply long after the session ends
Training topics vary based on unique needs, but often focus on:
- Strong foundations for junior buyers
- Advanced commercial skills for mid-level buyers
- Leadership development for senior buyers
- Cross-functional collaboration across design, planning, and merchandising
No matter the format, the approach is always practical, clear, and connected directly to the decisions buyers face every day.
What It Means
for Your Business
When buyers are trained well, they don’t just execute tasks — they elevate the business. They negotiate with confidence, manage numbers with clarity, and make decisions that protect margin and strengthen categories.
And as their capability grows, leaders gain the space to focus on strategy, innovation, and long-term growth.
That’s what team training delivers: buyers who are not only ready for their roles today, but prepared to grow into the leaders you’ll need tomorrow.
Meet Elisabeth
Hello! I’m Elisabeth
I’ve spent over 25 years in fashion, leading buying teams, managing categories, and developing talent at every level. I know firsthand how much stronger a business becomes when buyers are trained well — and how quickly gaps can hold a team back.
That’s why I design training that’s practical, tailored, and rooted in the real decisions buyers face every day. My goal is to help your team build the skills and confidence to deliver results now, and grow into the leaders your business will need next.
Meet
Elisabeth
Client Testimonial
“I approached Elisabeth at The Design Directive looking for support to develop and grow our business. Her experience, background and comprehensive skills in fashion buying and design really helped us to develop new customers successfully. She understood the needs of our clients and prepared new seasonal trend boards, designs and graphics for our presentations which resulted in achieving new business for us. Based on our experience & cooperation we feel that Elisabeth is an experienced, trustworthy, honest, open, responsible and reliable partner.”
-Sherry xue
Your team has the talent. Training helps them realize their full potential.
If you’re thinking about how best to support your buyers’ growth, I’d love to talk about what training could look like for your business.
