I hope I don’t quickly forget the thrill of being in a room with all my colleagues for the first time. The RHB team met in December in Indianapolis for the first time in more than two years. Bear in mind, we’ve added a good share of our team since COVID began. Consequently, this was…Read more
Tag: Executive Counsel
What Strategic Plans Reveal About Higher Ed Marketing
This article previously appeared in Inside Higher Ed and it is posted here with permission of the author. What makes a strategic plan “strategic”? This question was at the heart of a 2020-21 study that my RHB colleague Dr. Aimee Hosemann and I led—with the research assistance of Connor LaGrange, graduate student from the Indiana…Read more
Co-Founder and Principal Rick Bailey on “Starter Stories”
Founder of Enrollify Zach Busekrus hosts “Starter Stories” a podcast series telling the stories of founders of leading higher education consulting and professional services. Zach invited Rick Bailey to give the backstage story on the start of RHB. Following is the transcript or you can listen here. Rick Bailey: In the book, was a question.…Read more
Imagine Voraciously Webinar Transcript
Rick Bailey was recently invited to lead a webinar about his recent book, Imagine Voraciously, by Bay Path University’s Center for Higher Education Leadership and Innovative Practice (CHELIP). In the webinar, Rick highlights some of the takeaways from the book and offers insights to encourage your own voracious imagining. You can watch the recording here.…Read more
How to Diagnose and Soothe Strategic Planning Fears
The study of 108 strategic plans that my colleagues Drs. Aimee Hosemann and Rob Zinkan conducted this year couldn’t be more timely. Their review of plans from public and private colleges and universities representing all 50 states occurred during one of the most disruptive years in world history, and certainly one of the most pivotal…Read more
What Makes a Strategic Plan “Strategic”?
In an effort to better understand the dynamics and components of strategic plans across higher ed, we undertook a detailed study of more than 100 active strategic plans. The study endeavored to capture a current plan from one private and one public four-year institution in each state, whenever possible. This executive summary is designed to introduce participants in strategic planning processes to important concepts and actions that lead to effective and collaborative strategic plans.
Take a Break with Our Annual Summer Reading List
Summer reading can be so recharging—a time when we savor the most special and most diverting books. Here, we recommend books that are moving, challenging, engrossing and motivating, ranging from science fiction to takes on Coco Chanel, racism and the church, taking charge of your life and even some inspiration for higher ed professionals. These…Read more
Imagine Voraciously: A Brief Excerpt
Here’s an introduction to Rick Bailey’s latest book, Imagine Voraciously, to whet your appetite for more. This new workbook dives into the beauty of imagination, offers inspirational insight and includes a variety of questions and exercises to explore by yourself or with your team. Books are available through RHB and you can own one by…Read more
So, How Do You Talk about Race? Part One of a Two-Part Series
At RHB, we’ve been having conversations with clients and prospective clients about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). Specifically, we’ve been talking about marketing and communications products and how those relate to DEIB initiatives laid out in strategic plans and communications flows. These conversations occur in the service of engaging in the complicated and deeply…Read more
Your Board Has Marketing Questions, You Have Answers
Ready for your board meeting? Part 3 of 3 “How much are we spending on billboards?” “What does this really mean?” “What’s going on with all the alternate football helmet designs?” These questions are among many marketing-related ones that I’ve heard over the years from trustees in my work as a senior administrator and now…Read more