Definitely! What success have you had with these types of brainstorming sessions?
Brainstorming sessions can be valuable for admissions to discover missed opportunities.
I get the sense that everyone would benefit from working toward a common objective, including your students. Thank you for your post!
I could get my two teachers and executive assistant together with me in a brainstorming session, where we could work toward the objective of bringing in more students, which is our main need at this point.
Actually, sometimes I use brainstorming with my students because their ideas and feedback are often very helpful to developing our programs. Learning about their likes and dislikes, what type of Pop culture is trendy, etc., can all be helpful when trying to determine how to reach our market.
Greg, thanks for sharing this idea. It sounds like you are anticipating some common concerns for students and are using the brainstorming meetings to come up with a variety of solutions to help you students succeed.
Dr. Jean Norris
We have brainstorming about getting financing for our students. Because we are a new school and can not offer financial aid yet, it is imperative to find ways to get low cost loans, or even scholarships for our students.
Connie,
Great idea! This may be an ideal way of getting ideas for addressing a challenge such as this.
Shannon Gormley
A brainstorm session at our school could be alternative methods of financing. Vocational schools less then 650 hours have a harder time finding financing for it's students.
Thanks
Connie
Getting participants to stay on task can sometimes be a job in itself:) It depends on interest level, schedules and commitment/incentive. Providing deadlines, having follow-up meetings and sending email reminders does help.
Excellent observations, Lola. Brainstorming is a great way to get energy up and ideas flowing in a safe environment. I hear what you are saying about the follow up aspect. What do you do to ensure your participants stay on task after the session?
In academia, there is a tendancy for bureaucracy to take precedence when new ideas surface and thus inhibit change. Brainstorming helps loosen the grip, gives others a chance to speak up and enables ideas to flow. I think the most difficult aspect of brainstorming sessions is follow-up. The facilitator has to ensure action items are assigned and that management is in support of the change(s).
Hi Patricia,
You're right,there are a number of ways in which you can help your school stand out. I'm curious, what are some of the things your school does to stand out?
Have a great day.
There can be many opportunities to have your school stand out more, by offering unique or special student services that other schools do not have. This might then also increase enrollments as well as retentions.
