We recently received this unsolicited email from a client:
Just a quick note of real appreciation for both your guidance and expertise over the last several months. … You helped me and our Trustees see what was needed to ensure good and healthy Governance and get to what was a messy but good outcome. While the schools you led were unbelievably lucky to have you, the work you are doing today enables leaders like myself to benefit from all you have learned and accomplished. All that to say – lucky me and lucky my school...
One of SSL’s strengths is the partnership among seven highly experienced former Heads of Schools who regularly team up to work with schools. Frequently two partners have worked together to create a customized strategic planning process. There is not just one playbook for effective strategic planning; rather, there are many options in terms of scope, timing and approach. Our job is to help you determine what your school needs.
Over the past six years, we have developed deep relationships with schools, often exploring and assessing different school operations. One example: One partner did a deep dive into a school’s enrollment management program, including a review of communications, analysis of the admissions flow chart, financial aid strategies and retention efforts. The end result is that the school has been able to increase its applicant pool, lower attrition, and enroll more mission-appropriate students.
But that is not the end of the story. Because of this success, and because we now had a good understanding of the school, the Head and Board then asked two SSL partners to review the school’s bylaws, offer a retreat on good governance, and work with the Governance Committee to clarify procedures on how to evaluate trustee performances and ensure stronger succession planning.
And that is when and why the Head wrote the testimonial: the end result of deep collaboration between the school and our whole team. We relish such work, involving depth and commitment on both sides. Could we be helpful to you?