In Enrolment Builders experience with organizations of all sizes, we time and again notice similar challenges each face as they plan for and execute online educational services for their students. Reframed, these barriers form a set of must-haves for success in online program strategic or creation online growth. Although every institution is unique, here are some essentials for online enlargement that our consultants have distilled from their work with a broad range of national and international clients-
Bold leadership-
It is clear to see that at almost every level, education is quickly evolving. To stay ahead of the curve and influence all the advantages that progress promises, organizations must have strong leadership. Partnering with an experienced enrolment management deal and shepherding change with faculty, recruitment and retention departments, financial aid and executive leadership takes planning, diplomacy and the capability to build consensus.
Frequently, adding an online education program requires nothing short of a cultural shift. Institutions that thrive in this space work to engage key departments early in the procedure to help foster broad internal investment.
Strategic planning- Similar to any endeavour, success is driven by a clear and attainable plan that is supported by solid research and reliable data. Creating a roadmap for success in online education means understanding interdependencies, flagging potential obstacles, identifying efficiencies and being nimble enough to respond to innovative information. Competitive data, market forecasts, employer input and brand analyses are only a few of the input components that drive this part of the process.
An opportunity focused culture- Entry or aggressive enlargement within the online space is able to be a daunting prospect. Even though it might seem obvious, it is worth mentioning: success takes a enthusiasm to embrace disruption, proactively tackle challenges and think about new teams and partners as collaborators in the success of your institution. Frequently, creating an engaged and opportunity-focused culture takes an internal cultural reset and preliminary team-building.
System and department integration- Creating a robust online education presence shouldn't require reinventing the wheel or creating services that silo online students. System integration between recruitment, enrolment, financial aid, and other departments should be leveraged with an eye toward the future (i.e., what will not only work best today, but efficiently serve students five or ten years from now?) Likewise, integration of systems and databases should allow for seamless transitions between online and classroom learning.
Tactical investments in technology-
Relatively, ensuring that systems are well-integrated and prepared for enlargement often requires tactical investments in technology. A technology or operations review can help identify any shortfalls that have potential to negatively affect enrolment, financial aid, student support and other administrative services. It is imperative to note that assessments in this area can also help organizations act on long-delayed investments in technology that can add even more value by creating system-wide efficiencies.
Growth plans mapped to financials- As with development in any space, online investments must closely align with realistic financial forecasts and internal financial models. While these two components are not in sync, long-term buy-in can be jeopardized and online resources are at risk of either being under or over-resourced.
Data-driven marketing plans- Successful programs need marketing strategies that are securely rooted in data and analytics. Understanding competitive online landscape, priorities of current and prospective students and regional employment needs form the foundation of a smart marketing plan. Post-launch and after some enrolment cycles, key performance data can be used to better target marketing resources, refine media buys and improve conversion rates.