Change is inevitable and our career education work environment is no exception. As you face change, whether it is structural, organizational, technical or operational, and lead others in the change process, here are a few tips to consider:

• The change should be for solving a problem or addressing an issue, not change for the sake of change.  Make sure that you know the specific problem or issue the change is attempting to solve and that you can communicate it.
• Be clear as to what will change and what will not.  Surround yourself with facts and information to minimize insecurities and fear.
• Assess

… >>>

Chances are that many of today’s private sector colleges and universities began as entrepreneurial ventures and still hold to the precepts of entrepreneurship. From a training perspective, current trends in entrepreneurship teachings see the successful entrepreneur as one who not only has vision and strategic planning ability, but one who must also apply skills in performance management and teaming.  To move any entrepreneurial organization or institution forward it is crucial, when engaging in the strategic planning process, for leadership to not only understand and communicate goals, but to continuously link employee and organizational performance to those goals as the ongoing… >>>

As managers for our career education institutions we sometimes find ourselves mediating conflict among members of our faculty and staff. Conflict does not have to be negative or undermining if we manage it in such a way that it accentuates the skills, experience and diversity of our employees, But that is, of course, easier said than done.

Here are a few initial ground rules that may help to create an environment where the resulting effect of conflict is positive:

• Create and maintain an environment of confidentiality, impartiality and respect
• Proactively listen to all points of view
• Allow for mutual input and collaboration

… >>>

As administrators, managers or directors of our career education institutions we no doubt are often involved in the problem-solving process as we face challenging

issues in our operations. Critical problem-solving is a managerial and operational  survival skill. Most of us are most likely familiar with the problem-solving steps: identify the problem, get the facts, identify possible solutions, weigh the pro’s and con’s of each one, select the best solution, implement and evaluate. To help with this process, I thought perhaps these additional pointers might be helpful:

·        When you are identifying the problem, make sure that you are also identifying the root of the… >>>

There is a big difference between customer service and a customer first mindset!

Most companies provide some form of support to their customers; however, those whose employees place customers at the center of attention are far more competitive. This is, of course, equally true in our career college environments, particularly with our most important customers - employers and students!

Employees who are customer first focused listen to their customers’ needs and act on them quickly. If they can’t honor a request, they state what they can do or refer the customer to someone who can help, then follow-up to make… >>>

I have always been interested in Project Management, I suppose because anything that can get me from point A to point B in an organized fashion must have merit! :)

Having facilitated many project management workshops for the manufacturing and service industries, I have found that the same managerial processes apply to both – and, of course, the career college sector offers products and services.

Most managers know some of the processes, tools and terminology of project management such as the project life cycle, the project scope, the statement of work and the communications plan, etc. One component that has… >>>

When I have a cut on the finger, I typically get a Band Aid as opposed to a piece of adhesive gauze, or get a Kleenex tissue when sneezing, or make a Xerox copy. We all know the power of branding - to the point where many products and services in the marketplace have become household names. Perhaps the same opportunity is applicable to career colleges. What is your school's brand? What special or unique feature or benefit stems from your college and its programs that distinguish it as the best choice? In our educational venue, the primary goal for… >>>