The adage, “knowledge is power” has been proven out time and time again across history. And it rings especially true in modern-day higher ed.
Now more than ever, having deeper insight into the students who are most important to your success is key to overcoming demographic changes, tightening budgets and other challenges arising almost daily. So, what words of wisdom from the past can enrollment leaders of today heed to achieve their goals?
Let’s find out, starting with a quote from one of our nation’s founding fathers …
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Benjamin Franklin
The Sage of Philadelphia had the foresight to understand that “knowing more than the other guy” was priceless. Today’s college and university leaders understand that, too, and are banking on data more than ever to guide decisions on recruitment investments, aid awarding, marketing strategies, and much more.
Higher Ed Takeaway:
Whether you invest in your own internal data team or work with an external source, only one thing (aside from death and taxes) is for certain: you need accurate analytics to make the most informed decisions.
MARKETview’s proprietary data platform delivers customized insights that can’t be accessed anywhere else, giving our partners an advantage in accomplishing enrollment, revenue and retention objectives.
“Assumptions are dangerous things.”
Agatha Christie
The crime solvers penned by the Duchess of Death didn’t go off hunches. And neither should enrollment leaders. Having insight into how your inquiry pool is building as well as how you’re stacking up to peer schools lessens uncertainty by replacing mystery with more measured decision making.
Higher Ed Takeaway:
Use information to support your instincts … and to better insulate your institution from plot twists you didn’t see coming.
The ability to provide real-time data is what sets MARKETview apart – giving campus leaders the confidence to STOP doing things that aren’t working and better realign efforts to increase their odds of success.
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
Sun Tzu
We can assume the author of The Art of War was well-versed in handling bewildering situations. As referenced in the opening, enrollment teams face their own version of chaos via a constant barrage of disruption. The secret to persevering is finding opportunities within mayhem.
Higher Ed Takeaway:
When confusion reigns, being able to keep your head by using trusted data to inform strategy (and win over key decision makers) is your best path to victory.
The comparative nature of MARKETview data gives our partner institutions a tactical advantage in building credibility with stakeholders and ensuring teams stay focused on the actions that matter most.
“You don’t make progress standing on the sidelines. You make progress by implementing ideas.”
Shirley Chisholm
As a barrier-breaking politician, Chisholm was never one to shy away from her convictions. This mentality correlates well with the current enrollment climate where the most successful leaders are pioneering new approaches to engage diverse student groups and adapt to rampant change.
Higher Ed Takeaway:
Trying to deduce the college-choice calculations of teenagers is always a gamble, so minimizing risk by knowing more about your audience’s tendencies is paramount for today’s motivated enrollment professionals.
MARKETview uncovers the Critical Elements for achieving a partner’s stated enrollment goals. These data-informed KPIs provide specific steps each school can take to pursue its agenda with greater gusto.
“The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.”
Will Rogers
America’s favorite cowboy philosopher’s warning against complacency is still poignant. That’s because staying ahead in today’s fast-moving higher ed world takes constant vigilance, market-wide vision, and a natural drive to push for improved results.
Higher Ed Takeaway:
Continuous improvement should be an ongoing pursuit where relentlessly testing ideas and measuring outcomes is the only sure path to reaching rewarding destinations.
MARKETview doesn’t just provide richer data, we also monitor it daily, so our partners can always see where they stand relative to the goals they want to achieve.
Thank you for reading!
We hope you enjoyed this light-hearted take on what is an incredibly serious topic. If you’d like to learn more about MARKETview’s proprietary data set and how it can uniquely support your recruitment, revenue and retention goals, please get in touch with our team. We’ll be happy to speak with you!
Jeff Jamison is Director, Corporate Content at MARKETview and has been supporting higher ed institutions for more than a quarter century. Please know that within this blog, any resemblance to actual people or events is purely purposeful.