The following is Module 2, Section D of a series called Coherence, introducing key strategies that will enable you to market your institution more coherently. Overview and Objective I’ve heard the goofiest comments about competitors on campuses, most of it fueled by rumor: “They’re not as academic as we are.” “We’re more ‘Christian’ than they…Read more
Author: Sam Waterson
Coherence Series: Why Are Your Competitors Here?
The following is Module 2, Section C of a series called Coherence, introducing key strategies that will enable you to market your institution more coherently. Overview and Objective Knowing your own mission well and unpacking its meaning is essential to your success in achieving coherence. Living out your mission with coherence builds the trustworthiness your…Read more
Coherence Series: You Have Competitors—Who Are They?
The following is Module 2, Section B of a series called Coherence, introducing key strategies that will enable you to market your institution more coherently. Overview and Objective In an “ivory tower” universe, institutions of higher ed have traditionally avoided language or concepts that reflect business or sales practices. That is certainly changing as more…Read more
Coherence Series: One and Only
The following is Module 2, Section A of a series called Coherence, introducing key strategies that will enable you to market your institution more coherently. Overview and Objective Good news: your market position is something you can choose. You determine who you intend to be when compared to other options in the market. By the…Read more
Coherence Series: Core Values
The following is Module 1, Section C of a series called Coherence, introducing key strategies that will enable you to market your institution more coherently. Overview and Objective You’ve heard it said dozens, maybe hundreds, of times: Actions speak louder than words. That’s true about your institution. Your mission may include flowery or highfalutin language…Read more
Coherence Series: Mission Revisited
The following is Module 1, Section B of a series called Coherence, introducing key strategies that will enable you to market your institution more coherently. Overview and Objective As we have suggested, the starting point for your path to coherence is your mission statement. Your declared mission is the singularly most significant statement in determining your current…Read more
Coherence Series: Know Your Mission
The following is Module 1, Section A of a series called Coherence, introducing key strategies that will enable you to market your institution more coherently. Overview and Objective By the end of this section, you will have a deeper understanding of your institution’s mission. Key Points As part of our research for our clients in…Read more
You Can’t Change Perception Without Changing Position
Articulating your market position and influencing your brand are sequential and separate efforts. In our work in higher ed, we see positioning (even used correctly) mistaken for “branding” all the time. Securing your market position in order to affect brand perception is the right sequence. But let’s be clear: these are not the same. Modifying…Read more
Are Silos to Blame or Flawed Organizational Design? Why We Should Move Beyond Talking About Higher Ed Silos
The Silo Metaphor Oversimplifies to a Fault The use of the silo metaphor typically serves as a call for more collaboration. We often talk about silos as barriers to activating student centeredness or being more collectively mission directed. Those are noble and correct motivations. But talking about a lack of institutional alignment by faulting…Read more
Co-Founder and Principal Rick Bailey on “Starter Stories”
Founder of Enrollify Zach Busekrus hosts “Starter Stories” a podcast series telling the stories of founders of leading higher education consulting and professional services. Zach invited Rick Bailey to give the backstage story on the start of RHB. Following is the transcript or you can listen here. Rick Bailey: In the book, was a question.…Read more