Editors Note: Branding pro clip Sev...

Editors Note: Branding pro clip Sevier, interviewd by Alana Klein, contemplates at Continuing Education and explains on what account some schools' programs will fare well-and others won't

Adult learners have become more discriminating about choosing their continuing ed programs than ever before, and that's because now, they can be. Today, the options are abundant; adult scholars can have their pick of distance education and hybrid programs (specially designed to make education more accessible for flat the busiest of adults), as well as cull from no end of traditional brick-and-mortar programs, continuously restructur to suitable students' ever-changing needs. Then too, in an effort to cope with both the forprofits and the online programs from brick and mortars, many traditional IHEs have reformatted their on-campus curricula, offering novel class schedules and times, opening satellite branches to reach novel cohorts of students, and implementing fast-track certificate programs to minimize class time for busy learners.

But with the endles options bombarding targeted adults everywhere, for what reason can purveyors of continuing ed offerings maximize the potential of those programs, and preserve them from the crash and scorch that so often accompanies offerings not well planned, timed, or tracked? We not long ago sat down with Stamats (www.stamats.com) branding and marketing pro knock Sevier, to look at the impressed signs of continuing ed programs that succe after launch, and those that don't-and to find without why.

Bob, what qualities make for a prosperous continuing ed program?

Those gymnasiums that employ the speed-to-market philosophy are the mostly successful, especially in the virtual education world. As an example, an efficient way to handle an online continuing ed program is to take a small in number weeks to create a program, bring it online, furnish it for as long as it makes perception to, and then kill it. seminarys need to be wired to the economy and come by in touch with local employer and ask them: "How can our body help your business and your employees?" Also, it's a pious idea to be in touch with the local political and economic mover and shakers to view what the job needs are in your community.

How have the different mediums of education - distance ed hybrid ed, fast-track learning - changed the landscape of continuing ed?

Historically, associations have always defined academic quality as "seat time"-the amount of time a pupil spends in his seat, in impudence of faculty. This is clearly no longer the case, as evidenced according to certificate, fast-track, and online learning programs, especially. It's all about getting from A to Z

How has the adult learner changed from one side of to the other the years?

There have always been busy adults. further now they're even busier. When I went to guild that's all I did: attend literary institution [i]or[/i] seminary of learning Now going to college is what we do in addition to being married, holding down a piece of work fixing up a car, etc We've become with equal reason used to drive-up windows and instant gratification. There's a ne for spe and there's a portion of data that suggests that a grade offered over a short time rather than a in extent time, is very helpful for these students

Certainly, fast-track or accelerated certificate programs are gaining popularity. yet there's some controversy as to in what manner they are perceived by employer for what purpose is this?

The schools that don't proffer them are critical of those that do. still most students are well serv at accelerated programs. From an employer's perspective, it takes better, more dedicated, and efficient bookish mans to go through faster programs. thus in some respect, students who graduate these programs are better opposite than students who go about certificate programs the traditional way. Everyone and his brother has accelerated MBA programs and there has always been a discussion about creating a three-year bachelor's extent Fast tracking is nothing of the present day but new technology gives us more opportunities to do it.

When it flows to choosing a continuing education course or program, are observers influenced by institutional brand, or do they diocese the course or program as a commodity?

They're pertain toed with a number of variables, unless if a prestigious program splendors the same as one that lacks the same prestige, the close examiner will opt for the prestigious individual Still, if XYZ community corporation is charging $49 a course versus the private down the road that charges $99, there's a big incentive to prefer the cheaper program. Brand is not the be-all for teachs involved in continuing education programs. unless keep this in mind: if your instruct does not have the branding prestige, your programs ne to be les expensive, more flexible, more convenient, and you must put forward programs faster. If you don't win onward the brand perspective, you'd better win in succession price, content, and better marketing. If your local community corporation can bring a program to market in weeks, and it takes a private university six month to advance up with a similar program, the private is going to squander out. The first to market secures the students.

How has marketing these continuing education programs changed?