In the past blog series, we discussed what customer journey mapping can teach us about an alumni leader’s journey and development. In this post, we offer three final tips for how to implement the framework. 1) Let data shape the customer journey map Research-driven “customer” (student, alumni, leader, etc.) journey maps will likely prove to… Continue Reading 3 Quick Tips for Creating Great Regional Alumni Leaders
Can customer journey mapping help your institution create a network of amazing regional leaders? In fall 2017, as part of a follow-up to our 2017 Regional Engagement Assessment, I conducted one-on-one conversations with advancement and alumni relations professionals about how their institutions were engaging regional alumni, including challenges they were facing and insights they’d learned from… Continue Reading What’s Your Alumni Leaders’ Journey? (Part 2 of 2)
Do you know the secrets to using customer journey mapping to transform your students and alumni into superstar regional leaders? Most alumni relations and advancement professionals know all too well the challenge of finding and keeping topnotch alumni volunteers and leaders. But what if we approach this challenge with an entirely new mindset and model? What… Continue Reading What’s Your Alumni Leaders’ Journey? (Part 1 of 2)
Is it time to reimagine your regional event strategy? This week, we return with Part 2 of our series on the key ingredients to designing awesome regional events (and, perhaps more importantly, creating that intentional regional event strategy). If you haven’t already, read Part 1 here. Ingredient 3: Intentional Follow-up The event went off without a hitch… Continue Reading The 4 Key Ingredients to an Awesome Regional Alumni Event: Part 2 of 2
Is it time to reimagine your regional event strategy? All institutions are familiar with the challenges of planning alumni events in cities far from their central campus. Especially in the age of ROI and budgetary constraints, effective planning and execution of regional alumni events should multiply the return on your efforts and resources. You and your alumni… Continue Reading The 4 Key Ingredients to an Awesome Regional Alumni Event: Part 1 of 2
In our recent welcome questionnaire, we asked all Research Consortium members, “What is your most pressing question or concern about alumni engagement and philanthropy?” Second to the topic of career services and alumni, the most popular response was research and content related to engaging young alumni. You aren’t alone. According to the results of the… Continue Reading 4 Ways You’re Neglecting Young Alumni
If we think of regional alumni outreach as a recipe, what are the key ingredients? ✓ Strong volunteers and leadership ✓ Dedicated staff ✓ Relevant programming and events ✓ Open communication ✓ Effective use of alumni data Another ingredient that is often overlooked is web presence. When your alumni visit their local club or chapter’s website,… Continue Reading Five Secrets to Effective Alumni Club Websites
*Image info: Eck Vistors Center, Home of Notre Dame Alumni Association. Photo Credit: Copyright © 2017 University of Notre Dame Campus Tour. We’ve already discussed the challenges of engaging alumni in our first post, but what if we consider this from the other end? What can we learn by taking an in-depth look at an alumni association that… Continue Reading How Notre Dame Creates a Culture of Alumni Engagement