In most sectors of our economy, customer focus is paramount, as it should be in education, too. Customer focus could yield a more student-centric system through the development and dissemination of user-friendly “truth-in-education” information that helps students make “best-fit” choices regarding which education provider to select based on customer preferences such as: academic quality, price, convenience, learning style, beginning education level and the anticipated return on their investment in education.” — Putting the Customer First in College: Why We Need an Office of Consumer Protection in Higher Education,” a report released today by the Center for American Progress
Hi, my name is Bruce and I’ll be your professor today! We’re thrilled you’ve chosen to matriculate with us this Fall. May I tell you about some of the special features of your college?
We’re committed to being the low-price leader in higher education. This semester, we have a special Buy One, Get One Free promotion. When you register for a class with us, choose a second class of equal or lesser challenge and get the second course absolutely free! And remember, if you find a lower price for this course at any nationally advertised college or university, simply bring us the ad and we will beat their price. Guaranteed!
I’d also like to tell you about out Frequent Learner program. Sign up today, to earn class credits and education rewards. You can use your frequent learner points to purchase clothing, housewares, books, and just about anything–even term papers! Earn even more rewards when you put your tuition on your Phi Beta Kappa Gold Visa card. In fact, you’re pre-approved just for registering for this class.
If at the end of this semester, you’re not happy with your grade for any reason, simply return it within 90 days for a full refund or a replacement grade. In this class–and every class–customer satisfaction is Job Number One!
I’m also happy to announce that starting with the 2009-2010 academic year, your undergraduate degree comes with a standard 10-year, 100-thousand dollar future earnings warranty. If you’re not earning six figures within ten years of graduation, we’ll make up the difference no questions asked!
On behalf of the entire faculty, administration, support staff and our nationwide network of alumni, we’d like to thank you for letting us educate you. We understand that you have a choice in colleges. Our goal is to be your preferred provider of education and career services whenever and wherever you choose to be educated.
Thank you, and have a great day!
I question the assumption that customer service is paramount in corporate America. Just this week, I’ve been incredibly frustrated dealing with poor customer service by some of the largest corporations in this country: Wal-Mart, Comcast, and Morgan Stanley. Customer service may have been king back in the day of local mom & pop operations, but those days are sadly long gone
OK, the memo was a bit shallow, but a report card on, say, ed schools (both teacher prep and graduate schools) could be interesting. The high-scorers could even get a site visit from examiners using our nation’s Education Criteria for Performance Excellence.
1.2 Governance and Societal Responsibilities: How do you govern and fulfill your societal responsibilities? (50 pts.)
c. Societal Responsibilities and Support of KEY Communities
(1) HOW do you consider societal well-being and benefit as part of your strategy and daily operations? HOW do you consider the well-being of environmental, social, and economic systems to which your organization does or may contribute?
(2) HOW does your organization actively support and strengthen your KEY communities? What are your KEY communities? HOW do you identify these communities and determine areas for organizational involvement, including areas related to your CORE COMPETENCIES? HOW do your SENIOR LEADERS, in concert with your WORKFORCE, contribute to improving these communities?
Robert, this was a stitch.
I think Eric offers a good amendment, however. How can we change the language of customer focus into the language of public engagement/responsiveness?
After spending a large (for me) amount of money to take an English class, my teacher, who was going for his J.D., decided he didn’t want to talk about anything having to do with the class at hand, but rather his pursuit of his J.D. I complained to the administration to no avail; tenure and all that. Finally, I left. I order to be funny, satire must contain a grain of truth. Would that my college give me what I pay for, a teacher who isn’t an idiot and who will, at least, stay on subject.