Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Who Does What? The Employee Job Description

Hi Nadine, Yes. It's very important that the new employee understand where they fit into the structure of the organization. They need to know who they report to and if they supervise anyone. New employees have a lot to focus on. So it may not be possible for them to understand where any more than their basic roles and responsibilities. But reminding them helps as they get oriented to the new job. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Strategic Plan

Hi Nadine Very impressive growth success. Can you share with us how detailed your planning was to achieve these goals? Did you plan on 56% enrollment growth or did that surprise you? Who was involved in the planning phase? How are you modifying your plans for a 20% growth next year? Do you have a formula for how enrollments impact on location size, number of instructors, etc. Who monitors budget and progress? Can you share with us what you didn't plan for? Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Great that you have your employers on a data base to easily access. Hopefully all contact information is stored there as well as all the grads your school has sent them. Externships provide so many opportunities. They can function as a pre employment screening. Just have to be careful that students strike a balance between doing an extraordinary job and not being too disappointed if not hired. Great idea to pre announce potential employees to employers just before each graduating class. That service must make it easier to place students and serve as a retention tool. Sounds like you are… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

HI Carl, Yes. Early contact with the Career Services department gets students to understand that what you offer is just about as important as training (obviously our bias). It takes a while for students to undertstand what you offer and get comfortable seeing you as a resource. This is a good reason to be as visible as possible. Also get successful students and grads to talk about how they benefited from career services. When the message comes from peers it seems to have more of an impact. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Good idea, Carl. Joining local professional and community groups is a great way to connect to employers and the community. To get directly to employers, ask your grads if you can contact the companies they work for. Then you can get great feedback about how work ready your grads are. And you can develop the relationship with the employers for other projects. Then go to the other companies that could hire your grads and don't know about your school yet. Target the folks you want to meet and then set a plan to get to know them. And be sure… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Can a Realistic Budget Affect Growth?

A perfect formula for success, Brian. Sounds like you conduct an effective feasibility study when considering something new, such as a new training program. Many schools fail to do this. A feasibility study should be so complete that if there is a decision to not move forward, you have all the back-up data to support your decisions. And if you decide to move forward you know all the areas of concern to watch for. Thanks for providing such complete steps for putting a budget in place. Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Who Does What? The Employee Job Description

Sounds great, Brian. You have regular meetings in place. So everyone knows there is a forum for learning what's new at the school and hopefully it is a place to present ideas and solve problems. Do you discuss issues such as customer care and how to distinguish your school from your competition? How everyone is responsible for student success and satisfaction? And do departments report to each other so, for example, admissions knows what is going on in placement? Most schools and businesses as well fail to have regular meetings. You are on a great track. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Who Does What? The Employee Job Description

Hi Brian, Very comprehensive job description approach. Sounds like you really spell out the expectations and the performance timeframes and measurements. The clearer you are the more likely that expectations are met. How do you convey the corporate culture and how people are to creatively work and problem solve together? How do you convey how each person is to relate to other departments and what information the other departments need to know and what the new employee needs to know about the other facets of the school operation? Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Placement Services

Good points Brian. Offer programs where skilled and trained workers are needed in your community. And those that match the needs of the current economy. Great that you meet with employers on a regular basis. That's the only way to be sure your curriculum is relevant. It's the only way to anticipate changes and updates that will be needed to ensure your grads are always work ready. Making sure your students have current technology and tools is vital although it can be expensive! But as you said - your school is on the cutting edge. And the word is probably… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Brainstorming...

Hi Harry, Good point. It is a challenge to get staff involved in planning for 5 years. But important. If you all can envision what you want your school to look like in 5 years, then each step each year will bring you there. There are tasks that simply have time frames with some events coming before others. People seem to grasp putting together details of a plan for year 1. It gets harder for year 2. But with some encouragement you can get valuable ideas. Thanks, Susan