Nobody understands nor pays as much attention to the challenges private higher education faces quite like Lawlor does. As a result, their interaction with trustees, president, senior staff and the entire campus community is informed by sound research, an understanding of the marketplace and twenty years of doing great work for an impressive list of clients. The added value they bring to the relationship is honesty, integrity, credibility and availability. They simply deliver.

— Bob Preloger
Vice President for Marketing & Communications
Augustana College
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Our blog

Dealing with the fear of change

Posted August 18th, 2009, by John L.

During a recent dinner conversation, the topic of challenges facing higher education today came up. One person noted that a culture that “feared change” was more ubiquitous on college campuses than one would expect at learning communities dedicated to the quest for knowledge. It was that comment that reminded me of the late W. Edwards Deming, the father of the Total Quality Management (TQM) movement.

Managing budgets and expectations in these tough times: part two

Posted June 25th, 2009, by Carole

Thinking about how best “to manage budgets and expectations in these tough times” means taking several planning considerations into account. These considerations reflect the things The Lawlor Group has been sharing with our clients on a regular basis when developing communication plans. In this second half of a two-part series, we’ll offer our planning considerations for your reflection.

Managing budgets and expectations in these tough times

Posted June 18th, 2009, by Carole

Thinking about how best “to manage budgets and expectations in these tough times” means taking several planning considerations into account. These considerations reflect the things The Lawlor Group has been sharing with our clients on a regular basis when developing communication plans. In this two-part series, we’ll offer our planning considerations for your reflection.

Fast Company's newsletter features The 10 Commandments of Social Media

Posted June 10th, 2009, by John L.

Today's Fast Company magazine's daily e-newsletter featured "The 10 Commandments of Social Media" by Lon Safco, author of The Social Media Bible. Good advice.

Delivering content quality in a Web 2.0 marketplace

Posted June 10th, 2009, by John L.

Business & Leadership.com, a wonderful information destination based in Ireland, just published a story about the future of newspaper journalism in light of the rise of Web 2.0 readership habits.  Although the model or format for quality journalism may be changing, there is still a need for our colleges and universities to graduate intellectually curious writers who are effective communicators.

Summer Seminar 2009 begins this week

Posted June 8th, 2009, by John L.

Summer Seminar 2009 begins this week in Minneapolis.  Described by past participants as "one of the best private college enrollment management conferences," the seminar will welcome over 100 guests from throughout the country.  Roger Goodman, vice president of Moody's Investors Services, will kick off this year's Summer Seminar conference, which is focused on the theme of Asserting the Value of Private Higher Education in an Age of Frugality.

If you only focus on the fall harvest, you are going to miss spring planting opportunities

Posted May 1st, 2009, by John L.

Everyone I talk to says that this recruiting year has been one of the most challenging years ever.  I agree, but next year is going to be even more challenging. My concern is that with so much focus on bringing in this year's class, people aren't focusing on planting seeds for the class of 2010. Strategic marketing informed by research has never been more important.  

Success is the residue of persistence

Posted May 1st, 2009, by John L.

Today has historically been that magical "postmark" date that is an indication of a job well done and mission accomplished.  May 1, 2009 and the week ahead will be different.  Many colleges are down in deposits.  Word of multiple deposits is spreading.  Summer melt is a serious concern.  Yield will be crucial this fall.  To that end, it is an absolute necessity that colleges focus on yield activities during the next several months. Success is the residue of persistence.

May 1: "Possibly, Maybe"

Posted May 1st, 2009, by John L.

May 1.  Big day today in college admissions.  2009 though is full of consternation.  Concern about deposit counts, multiple deposits, summer melt, the economy, and overall yield.  Bjork's song "Possibly, Maybe" seems to capture the moment.

A culture of deleveraging

Posted March 26th, 2009, by John L.

Deleveraging.  I heard the word used twice last week to describe how people are approaching the "new economy."  Savings are on the rise and prudent frugality is the new badge of honor.  As Mohamed El-Arian states in this week's Newsweek cover story by Daniel Gross, "We've gone from an age of entitlement to an age of thrift."