The Six Ps of Higher Ed Marketing: Our Hexagon Approach

At Apiarion, we've developed a unique hexagonal approach to optimizing higher education marketing. This framework, which we call the Six Ps, addresses the key areas where institutions often face challenges. Let's explore each of these Ps and how they contribute to a robust marketing strategy.

1. People

Having the right individuals in the right roles with the right support is crucial. This includes not only hiring and team structure but also ongoing professional development to keep skills sharp and current. We help institutions assess their team's strengths and weaknesses, identify skill gaps, and develop strategies for building a high-performing marketing team.

2. Priorities

With limited resources and numerous stakeholders, setting clear priorities is vital. It's all too easy to get caught up in day-to-day tasks and lose sight of strategic goals. We work with institutions to establish clear, strategic priorities that align with overall institutional goals and guide decision-making in marketing efforts.

3. Processes

Efficient workflows are the backbone of effective marketing operations. Streamlining processes and eliminating bottlenecks can dramatically improve productivity and output quality. Our approach involves mapping current processes, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing optimized workflows that enhance collaboration and productivity.

4. Policies

Clear, well-communicated policies ensure consistency and reduce confusion. However, they need to be flexible enough to allow for creativity and adaptation to changing circumstances. We help institutions develop and refine marketing policies that provide necessary structure while fostering innovation and agility.

5. Promotion

This encompasses all aspects of how you communicate your institution's value proposition. It's not just about what you say, but how and where you say it, ensuring your message resonates with your target audiences across all relevant channels. We assist in developing comprehensive promotion strategies that effectively reach and engage key stakeholders.

6. Performance

Collecting, analyzing, and acting on data is crucial for understanding what's working, what's not, and where to focus your efforts. Without good performance metrics, it's impossible to make informed decisions about resource allocation and strategy. We help institutions establish meaningful KPIs and develop data-driven decision-making processes.

The Power of the Hexagon

These six areas are interconnected, much like the sides of a hexagon. Strengthening one area often has positive effects on the others, creating a robust and resilient marketing operation. By addressing all six Ps in a coordinated manner, institutions can create a marketing ecosystem that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Our hexagonal approach provides a comprehensive framework for assessing and optimizing your institution's marketing efforts. In the coming posts, we'll dive deeper into each of these Ps, exploring practical strategies for improvement and real-world examples of their impact.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore how Apiarion's Six Ps can transform your higher education marketing efforts.