Strategic Planning for Times of Uncertainty

60-180 min keynote presentation or workshop

The COVID-19 pandemic, and its echo pandemics of economic and social change, have disrupted the business model of higher education to an unprecedented degree. Major unplanned expenses are still multiplying, while domestic and especially international enrolments are seriously in question, and ancillary revenues from residences and other campus operations may take years to recover.

To survive and thrive in times of massive change, colleges and universities need to rethink their program offerings, delivery methods, target markets, and support services. More than ever, existing  institutional strategic plans need to be re-examined immediately, seeking out new entrepreneurial revenue opportunities and cost-cutting efficiencies, partnerships and collaborations.

The COVID19 crisis, and the ripple effects that will last until 2025, pose an existential threat to institutions who refuse to rethink their strategies and approach – but an incredible opportunity to those willing to embrace the necessity of change, and reinvent themselves.

“What’s true of all the evils in the world is true of plague as well.
It helps men to rise above themselves.” – Albert Camus, The Plague

In this fast-paced session, Canada’s leading higher ed futurist Ken Steele will share an overview of the obvious and more subtle impacts of the COVID19 crisis, and the ways it will shape the future of our campuses for years to come. In a workshop approach, he will work with your board or senior leadership team to consider the implications for your institution and its pre-COVID strategies and plans.

Ken Steele is Canada’s leading higher education monitor and futurist. He co-founded Academica Group, created the Academica Top Ten, manages Eduvation Inc, co-authored Canada’s first book on enrolment management, publishes a daily email newsbrief the Eduvation Insider, and hosts a weekly webcast, Ten with Ken, that reaches thousands of subscribers on a dozen platforms. Ken brings his unique perspective and insight to a broad range of audiences, from faculty and instructors, boards and senior administration, to information technology staff, concerned parents, and Canada’s most powerful corporate CEOs.

Ken has been blogging extensively on the COVID19 pandemic. Here are some relevant examples, for a sense of Ken’s approach and as potential pre-reading for participants: