Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

HI Frank Staffing is always a challenge. Perhaps the goal is to hire right (there's a challenge) and cross train, and keep training staff. Discovering talent takes work and is well worth it. Best wishes Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your top plans...

Hi Chad Really good plans. Here are some thoughts. Maketing directors will probably have thoughts on the 10% guideline. Some may say that for every 100 leads you can enroll 18 students. The best approach is to measure every marketing strategy for quality of lead and lead to enrollment. Inst Improvement plans are meant to be worked and customized to your school in addition to making regulatory bodies happy. Great idea to communicate with employers regularly to determine what it will take to produce work-ready grads. It will require some program modifications. But how great to be known to graduate… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Dealing with organizational issues...

HI Chad You bring out an excellent point. Few people really understand a school's organization chart and who reports to whom. You might try this exercise - hand out a blank org chart with department titles. In a meeting ask everyone to fill in the names for each department and add departments or delete them if not applicable to the school. You will be amazed at the different versions. Then use the exercise to talk about how the school is organized. Check to see if people are doing duplicate work. It's an interesting process. Best wishes Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Placement Services

Hi Chad Exactly and very well said. Employers can be a major source for job openings. The goal of every school is to develop relationships with employers so the school is seen as "the" source for work-ready employees. This means constantly communicating with employers and getting their ideas and input in a variety of ways. best wishes Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your top plans...

Great plans, Richard. Each take upfront research on how and what you are doing now so you'll know results later. This will point to changes. If most of your marketing succss is through word of mouth, how can you increase word of mouth and bring back grads to take new programs. Your idea for instructor development program is great. The idea of developing all of your loyal staff is a way to build a great team. Reaching out to the community has so many benefits. Increased enrollment, student placement, new sources for students, assistance with career development, and more. Really… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Dealing with organizational issues...

Really great points, Richard. One way to be sure that information is given accuractly is to create a policies and procedures manual so everyone has the same information. Of course the trick is to keep it current and also get people to refer to it! What about a meeting where everyone shares common questions that students ask. Then create good answers for everyone to use. Best wishes Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Placement Services

HI Richard Quite true. Clinicals and externships give students real-work experiences to use on their resume and practice working with real employers. The employers have the opportunity to see the soon to be grad in action. What a great interview tool. Also the clinic site has the opportunity to learn more about your school. A win-win situation all around. Best wishes Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Brainstorming...

HI Richard Looks like you have a great formula for getting ideas from your staff. And the requirement that they write it out as well. Great. We wonder if you could identify the environment in the informal sessions where you get great ideas. Maybe you can create that environment in your other meetings. Best wishes Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Dealing with organizational issues...

HI Dario Well said. There are leaders and there are leaders. But everyone has great ideas and some talent. It just takes creating the right environment and asking the right questions. Sometimes people have to pointed in the right direction or perhaps their vision is a bit different. As a manager and leader it takes work and effort to keep motivating our staff to their own greatness. Best wishes Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your top plans...

Hi Dario Looks like a great focus. And of course the goals are all related. You might look at program decisions as your major or first task. Once you decide which new ones to offer and how to upgrade current programs, then you can forecast enrollment for each program and then marketing strategies. The networking will be part of your marketing strategies. Good luck Susan