Marketing Continuing Education, LERN consulting services to Continuing Education professionals

What's New for September 2010 for Continuing Educators in Higher Education

Tips for Reaching Generation Y

Marketing to Generation Y is new and different. This generation expects to use text messaging, blogs, and the internet. Techniques that work with older generations may not work with Gen Y. Here are some tips from LERN experts.

Generation Y is used to structured activities and learning experiences.
Gen Y likes just-in-time training.
They appreciate humor.
They have a sense of history and appreciate images.
Gen Y enjoys collaborative learning.
Gen Y is the most diverse generation in history, and expects marketing materials to reflect that diversity.
Try using blogs to reach Gen Y. They appreciate peer-to-peer communication and learning and this technology is an easy way for older generations to start using new technology.

Generation Y is a growing percentage of most organizations’ clients. LERN can help you develop strategies to recruit and serve members of all generations. For more information about Generational Marketing and Learning, or to learn about the services LERN offers, contact us at info@lern.org

Retaining Older Workers

Employment is expected to increase by nearly 19 million jobs between 2004 and 2014. However, in that same period, 36 million people are expected to leave the work force permanently, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Colleges and universities should be concerned about this for two reasons. First, you will likely find it more difficult to fill critical staff positions with qualified candidates. Second, continuing professional education will be affected in several ways. On the negative, the market potential will drop as many people leave the work force. On the positive, industry will be looking to you to train a very competitive workforce.

Why You Should Collect Birth Year

Generational marketing is at full-stride these days. Knowing the age of your students allows you to make informed course development and delivery decisions. For example, Generation X is in need of management training as they advance in their careers. Baby Boomers are seeking out post retirement opportunities for personal interests, as well as second careers. Knowing the individual student’s birth year, and therefore generation, allows you to target market to the needs of the individual and increase registrations. As the number of Generation Y students increases, you should consider shifting more of your courses to online, 24/7 delivery options to meet their desire for training whenever and wherever they want it. Capturing the birth year of your individual members in your database allows you to segment your marketing towards the various generations and increase registrations. Asking Birth Year instead of birthday or age is less threatening to your members and they are more likely to respond.

What you say

" LERN continues to be at the right place at the right time with the right stuff! Thanks

- Joanne Murcar,
Spokane, WA, about our
"12 Month Survival Plan"

For Teachers and Faculty

Teachers and faculty Check out:

	Faculty Club
	Online Courses
	Certified Online Instructor
	Books such as Teaching Online and Nine Shift

Featured website

The new main page for U Cincinnati's Communiversity offers great color, with an effective presentation (concise bullet points) of reasons to spend more time with the site's information. Current Courses are highlighted as the top link in the left column, and the image reflects the program's current brochure cover.

Upcoming Events

Annual Conference
Savannah, GA
Nov 19 – 21, 2009


	Click here for info: LERN Annual Conference Nov. 18-21, 2009