NOLS Board Meeting

I’m writing from Denver where I am attending the June meeting of the NOLS Board of Trustees. We kicked off yesterday with committee meetings. I met with the marketing committee, chaired by Fred Kleisner. NOLS staff Molly Hampton, Deborah Nunnick, Toby Harper, Linda Lindsey and Dave Glenn joined board members Dan Garvey, Pete Colhoun and John Dawson.

On the agenda: an enrollment update; marketing project update; sharing of data from the recent BzzAgent word of mouth campaign; discussion of marketing priorities for the 05-06 year; resource allocation to support the priorities; and Blue Sky/Black Holes.

The BzzAgent data stimulated a good deal of conversation on topics of brand recognition, pricing, and potential new course offerings. This discussion led to exploration of priorities for the next 12 to 18 months. There was agreement that the focus going forward should include particular attention to our word of mouth efforts, public relations and partnerships, integrating NOLS Professional Training and WMI marketing with the overall school effort and commitment to improving our customer relations management.

It was great conversation. There is a great deal of wisdom and experience represented on the NOLS board. Dan Garvey asked me today how I felt about having all of the ideas heaped on me at the meeting. My response? It was great. I’ve never seen an idea that I didn’t want to try to steal and apply!

Today the full board is meeting. The main agenda centers on the budget for fiscal year 2006. There will also be reports for the various committees.

Bruce Palmer, NOLS marketing director