Resources
Ian is in high demand as a conference speaker and his white papers and presentations enjoy wide circulation. The following are dates of his upcoming speaking schedule, as well as some of the more often requested items from his talks and white papers.
Recent and Upcoming Talks
Independent Schools Association of the Southwest - Dallas, September 19-20
ISANNE | AISAP Strategic Enrollment Management Summit - Portland (ME), September 24-25
Recent Presentations and White Papers
Viral Video - Bringing Culture to the Curb (YouTube) - What makes some videos go viral? We think it is about the big idea. Join Ian as he walks through live case studies of viral videos from the Ed Social Media Summit in 2012.
Advancement in a Turbulent Landscape (PDF) - What trends and forces are impacting our advancement efforts? This April 2013 talk from the NCAIS Advancement Conference outlines the various shifts and trends that are impeding enrollment, marketing, communications, and development efforts.
Why Parents Choose Private Schools (PDF) - We've surveyed over 25,000 parents of independent school students and over 10,000 college students. Want to know why parents choose private schools? Take a look at our aggregated research and learn their decision set.
Contraction Promotes Consolidation (PDF) - Market contraction often signals mergers in other industries. Will we see schools or colleges merge as a result of a decline in demand?
The Pivot Point (PDF) - Are we in the midst of a major shift in education? The long-standing assumptions about our financial model, delivery mechanism, and classroom teaching methods are in transition. This white paper outlines the current state of affairs in independent education.
Change, Challenges, and a Green Chair - What can a green chair tell us about leadership transition and the continuity of an organization's values?
Ten Trends (PDF) - What are major shifts and trends in independent education? This Keynote is the landmark presentation used by Ian at several major national conferences, summarizing our white paper series.
Seven Essential Characteristics of Market Sustainable Schools and Colleges (PDF) - What do all market-sustainable schools and colleges have in common? This short read outlines the hallmark traits of the schools and colleges we see thriving in this new economy.
Delaying the Decision (PDF) - Something very predictable happens when the market goes South: consumers delay the decision to purchase private education. What can your school or college learn from this trend?
The Missing Generation (PDF) - Who's missing around the boardroom table and why? This white paper outlines why the old school governance model might not be the cup of tea for the next generation of school and college leaders.
A Culture of Planning (PDF) - Great schools and colleges have developed a culture of strategic thinking and planning. They follow a very predictable cycle - and you might learn from them.
Prepare the Child for the Path, Not the Path for the Child (PDF) - Are we in the midst of a massive shift in parenting styles? Is the current generation of parents more interested in preparing the path for the child rather than the child for the path? And, what are the implications of this shift for schools and colleges?
Power to the People (PDF) - This white paper outlines the major shift in educational access through not just online learning, but online content production that is ubiquitous.
Enrollment and Marketing 101 (PDF) - Perhaps our most read white paper, this is the authoritative leader in best practices in enrollment management and marketing.
The Strategic Role of Pricing (PDF) - Is pricing the most critical issue facing independent education today? This white paper examines the role of pricing, net tuition revenue, capacity, and tuition discounting models.
The Issue of Relevance (PDF) - Are your school's programs relevant to the community around them? This white paper outlines how relevance often determines success in independent schools and colleges.
The Face of Change (PDF) - Our experience tells us that there is something different about this generation of young people. What is different about them? Our white paper outlines the unique attributes of this generation.
I Just Want Her to Be Happy (PDF) - Parents ultimately just want their kids to be happy. So, what are the implications for colleges and schools?
Direction Determines Strategy (PDF) - From our vantage point, an organization must first determine a clear direction before it generates strategies to support it.
Why All the Confusion with Social Media? (PDF) - Is social media that hard to figure out? We've been seeking relational marketing tools for years and now we have a plethora from which to choose. Our thoughts on the better uses of social media are in this white paper.
A Proliferation of Choice (PDF) - Perhaps the greatest marketing challenge of all. Our thoughts on the proliferation of choice that differentiation always leads.
Revisiting High Noon and Educational Relevance (PDF) - It has been nearly a decade since the book High Noon was published, outlining the very real challenges our planet and our next generation will inherit. Why has our educational system neglected these issues?
When Planning Turns Political (PDF) - Is strategic planning at your school or college an exercise in politics or strategy? What are some of the classic pitfalls of old school strategic planning? Find out more in this white paper.
A Defining Moment - Making the Case for Your School or College (PDF) - Sometimes the best promotion is purely about creating awareness and relevance of the industry rather than creating messaging that supports our own schools.
Communicating Authentically to Prospective Students (PDF) - How do you create marketing messages that cut through the clutter and are relevant to young people?
It's All in Who You Know (PDF) - Never underestimate the importance of knowing your consumer. Marketing research is the key.
Something Funny Happened on the Way to Church (PDF) - Are we in the midst of an inflection point in the modern church today? There appears to be a lot of change in the church world. What's the impact on your school or college?