Fourth Dimension Partners Blog
Books we're reading
Recent Blog Posts
Blog & News
We are studying organization health as it applies to adult education programs, and this was but one of many books we've read to help us better define the varying dynamics of a program's performance. Most of Lencioni's books are written as business fable's but this one is a departure from that - a straight leadership book. A very worthy read for leaders looking to understand how they and their teams are impacting their programs.
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
To access all blog posts, visit our
Blog site here.
I’ve met with some colleagues over the past few weeks that shared some struggles they have been having with No-Shows. To define the term here, I am specifically including prospects who fail to show for a scheduled interview. (In a later post, I will address No-Shows as admitted students who fail to show for an orientation or first night of class.)
The mistake my colleagues first make is this: They have NOT correctly identified the problem. Once you have identified that there are an increasing number of no–shows, you have, in fact, found the result (a.k.a. the outcome) of a problem – you have NOT identified what the problem is.
On the road with on-site seminars and keynote addresses...
In the last post, I wrote about No-Shows as prospects. Today, I will discuss them as newly admitted students who fail to show for an orientation or first night of class.
When I discuss this issue with colleagues, I usually ask if there are any known common characteristics these students have. In most cases, no one from the enrollment team has considered it. Sometimes, though, they have. And if there is a common characteristic it is usually this: these individuals have either very recently been accepted, or were accepted several (or many) months ago and have been waiting for a long while before enrolling. Referring to our “Six Stages of Adult Student Recruitment” process, I will address each scenario separately.
Struggling with No-Shows? (Part 2: New Students)
Struggling With No-Shows? (Part 1: Prospects)
LVAIC Conference on Serving Adult Learners
May 31, 2012 - conference presentation.
When the economy trends downward, enrollment trends...
For years, I heard and read about the research proving that enrollment in adult education generally increases when there is a downturn (or recession) in the economy. So, why, in my conversations with over 55 schools in the past six months, have I only found three (3) schools whose enrollment has organically grown by more than 5% annually over the past three years? To clarify, by “organically”, I am referring to schools who have found this level of growth without adding new majors, locations, started online program, etc.
In fact, the vast majority of schools have indicated their enrollment is either flat (within 2-3% of growth or decline), or have had somewhat significant reduction in enrollment (average of more tan 3% loss over three years).
Graduate Philadelphia!
May 16, 2012 - meeting keynote address.
