Blog - Ryan Baltrip

AI Insights for Business Leaders: 8/30/2024

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, staying at the forefront of technological innovation is paramount to success. With these AI Insights, I'll do my best to provide you with actionable insights, thought-provoking perspectives, and the latest AI news to help you harness the power of AI and lead your organization into the future. So, let's dive in! 1. The End of Generative AI Hype? A Reality Check for Business Leaders The initial excitement around generative AI may be fading some, but this may actually be a positive development. As the dust settles, a recent article highlights that we're seeing a shift toward more realistic and sustainable AI adoption strategies. Businesses are recognizing that AI is not a magic bullet. Instead, they are recognizing that it can a powerful tool that can be used to augment human capabilities and improve efficiency. This shift towards practical applications of generative AI and responsible AI use is crucial for long-term success. 2. How AI Can Help Start and Grow Small Businesses: Seizing the AI Advantage A recent New York Times story describes how generative AI is democratizing entrepreneurship. Generative AI, in particular, is helping small businesses to compete and thrive in today's fast-paced digital world. By leveraging AI tools for tasks like coding, marketing, and customer service, small businesses can optimize their operations, reach profitability faster, and achieve greater scalability. Leaders should actively explore and experiment with AI solutions to unlock their full potential and stay ahead of the curve. 3. How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Logistics: Streamlining Your Supply Chain A recent article from MIT called "How artificial intelligence is transforming logistics," it highlights how AI is revolutionizing the logistics and supply chain industry. From optimizing routes and predicting pricing to streamlining complex operations, AI is helping businesses cut costs, improve efficiency, and [...]

rbaltrip-admin2024-08-30T16:37:50+00:00AI|

AI: The New Co-Founder for Small Businesses? My Take

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, AI is emerging as a powerful tool for small businesses. A recent New York Times article, "How A.I. Can Help Start Small Businesses", shed light on how generative AI is empowering entrepreneurs to launch and scale their ventures with unprecedented speed and efficiency. I was particularly intrigued by the stories of individuals like Steven Bright, who leveraged ChatGPT to navigate the complexities of starting his company, Skittenz. But overall, having grown up with both my parents being small business owners, the article's core message resonated with me - AI has the potential to be a game-changer for small businesses seeking to leverage the power of this technology. While the potential benefits are undeniable, it's also important to approach AI adoption with a balanced perspective. At the end of the day, for AI to be useful, it has to be a helpful enabler and accelerator for small businesses, not a time killer or distracting rabbit hole that they can get lost in. So let's dive deeper into the article's key takeaways and explore some of the nuances and considerations for small business leaders navigating the AI landscape. Key Takeaways from the Article Accelerated Progress: Sean Ammirati, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, observed a significant increase in the speed and quality of his students' entrepreneurial projects when they incorporated generative AI into their workflow. "Stilts to Get Through an Obstacle": Steven Bright, founder of Skittenz, aptly describes AI as providing a boost to overcome challenges and move faster towards business goals. Increased Confidence: Access to AI tools gave entrepreneurs like Mr. Bright the confidence to launch their ventures without relying heavily on expensive external expertise. Potential for Faster Profitability and Scale: Research suggests that AI adoption can help businesses reach profitability and scale more quickly. "Bootstrapping [...]

rbaltrip-admin2024-08-22T15:43:02+00:00AI, Business & Leadership, Innovation, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Strategy|

Understanding AI History Teaches Us to Keep Hype-Cycles in Perspective

As of August 2024, almost two years after AI hit the cultural consciousness, it seems the AI-bubble may be starting to take some hits. Recently, Bloomberg News posted an article highlighting that some tech founders and investors are starting to question/wonder about AI's profitability, etc. etc. Well, here is case & point on why it's so important for business leaders to have some basic understanding of the history of AI (or technology, for that matter). AI, in particular, has gone through periods of rapid progress followed by an "AI Winter," which is often caused by a lack of what we could call tech capacity (software, hardware limitations, etc.). We often go through hype cycles, and if the history of AI (or tech) teaches us anything, it's important to have a balanced perspective of the promise, perils, limitations, and opportunities of AI [or insert latest technology].

rbaltrip-admin2024-08-13T01:49:11+00:00AI, Business & Leadership, Innovation, Uncategorized|

Building a Strong Foundation: A University-Wide Learning Technologies Governance Framework

A well-defined governance structure is essential for the successful implementation and oversight of any university's online learning initiatives. This blog post explores the key components of a university-wide learning technologies governance framework, drawing on the example provided (though it's important to note that specific titles and reporting structures may vary depending on your institution). 1. The Executive Council: Setting the Strategic Direction The Executive Learning Technologies Council provides high-level oversight and strategic direction for the university's learning technologies. This council is likely comprised of senior leaders from various departments across the institution, with a vested interest in online learning. Their focus would be on ensuring that the university's learning technologies strategy aligns with the institution's overall academic goals. 2. The Strategic Team: Guiding Implementation The Strategic Learning Technologies Team translates the broad strategic vision of the Executive Council into actionable plans. This team might consist of learning technology experts, instructional designers, curriculum specialists, and representatives from colleges and departments across the university. Their role would be to develop policies, procedures, and best practices for the use of learning technologies in online courses and programs. 3. College and Departmental Support The framework acknowledges the importance of Classroom Technology Committees within colleges and departments. These committees would likely be responsible for selecting, implementing, and supporting learning technologies specific to the needs of their faculty and students within a particular discipline. The blog post doesn't mention a Media Technology Team, but it could be part of the Strategic Learning Technologies Team, providing expertise in multimedia creation and production for online courses. 4. Collaboration and Communication The overall structure emphasizes collaboration and communication between various stakeholders: The Executive Council provides guidance to the Strategic Team. The Strategic Team supports the work of College and Departmental Technology Committees. Operational staff likely works collaboratively with all levels of the governance structure to ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of learning [...]

rbaltrip-admin2024-03-29T13:41:05+00:00Digital Learning, Education, Leadership, Management, Strategy|

Planning New Professional Education Programs: A Look at Key Considerations

Developing new professional and continuing education (CE) programs requires careful planning and thoughtful consideration of various factors. This post explores some of the key elements you might encounter when reviewing a spreadsheet outlining potential CE program offerings, drawing from the sample data provided (though it’s important to note that specific details will vary depending on your institution and program). 1. Program Options and Considerations Program Length: The spreadsheet might show you a range of options for program lengths, from shorter online courses to full-fledged certificate programs. Course Formats: The data might include various delivery formats like fully online, blended (online with in-person elements), or on-campus intensives. Break-Even Analysis: This analysis would show the minimum number of students required to cover the program’s costs. Pay Scales: The data might include potential instructor pay scales depending on factors like experience and credentials. 2. Finding the Right Balance When creating new CE programs, it’s crucial to find the right balance between the program’s: Value Proposition: What unique benefit will this program offer potential students in terms of career advancement or skill development? Market Demand: Is there a sufficient number of interested professionals in your target audience who are willing to pay for this program? Delivery Costs: Can the program be delivered in a cost-effective way, considering factors like instructor fees, technology needs, and marketing efforts? 3. Spreadsheet as a Planning Tool A spreadsheet can be a powerful tool for planning and comparing different program options. Here’s how it might be used: Cost Modeling: The spreadsheet might be used to model program costs under different scenarios (e.g., different enrolment numbers or instructor costs). Identifying the Most Viable Option(s): By comparing break-even points and revenue projections across various program options, you can identify those with the highest likelihood of financial success. Optimizing Program Design: Data from the spreadsheet can inform decisions about program length, format, and [...]

rbaltrip-admin2024-03-29T13:29:06+00:00Digital Learning, Education, Learning Innovation|

Building an Effective Online Program Marketing Budget for Higher Education

In today's competitive online learning landscape, a strategic marketing budget is essential for attracting qualified students to your institution's programs. But where do you begin? This blog post explores the key elements to consider when crafting an online program marketing budget for higher education, drawing on insights from a sample budget. 1. Identifying Your Target Audience Program Specific: Tailor your marketing strategy to the unique needs and interests of prospective students for each program. Consider Demographics: Age, location, professional background, and interests will all influence how you reach potential students. 2. Marketing Channels Organic Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize your program's webpages to rank higher in search results for relevant keywords. This is an ongoing, cost-effective strategy. Paid Search Engine Marketing (SEM): Consider targeted pay-per-click (PPC) ads to drive qualified traffic to your program's landing page. Social Media Marketing: Utilize targeted social media campaigns to connect with prospective students on the platforms they frequent most. Content Marketing: Create high-quality content (blog posts, articles, infographics, videos) that addresses your target audience's pain points and interests. Email Marketing: Targeted email campaigns nurture leads and keep your program top-of-mind for potential students. 3. Budget Allocation Considerations The sample budget shows a significant allocation towards Program Bundle 1 marketing compared to Program Bundle 2. This might reflect factors like the enrollment goals, target audience size, or competitive landscape for each program. Balance Long-Term vs. Short-Term Strategies: Invest in some ongoing SEO and content creation for long-term organic traffic, while also budgeting for immediate impact through targeted ads or social media campaigns. 4. Track and Analyze Monitor the performance of your marketing efforts across different channels. Use website analytics tools to see which channels deliver the most qualified leads and conversions. Be prepared to adjust your budget allocation based on data insights to optimize your return on investment (ROI). A Sample Budget Breakdown The [...]

rbaltrip-admin2024-03-29T13:40:49+00:00Digital Learning, Education, Marketing|

The Data-Driven Blueprint for Successful Online Programs

Launching and sustaining a successful online program takes more than just a great idea. It requires careful planning, a solid understanding of the numbers, and a clear vision for the student experience. Three essential tools – the pro forma, enrollment cascades, and course sequence cascades – offer institutions a multi-faceted lens through which to plan, analyze, and make data-powered decisions when establishing and scaling online programs. 1. The Pro Forma: Your Financial Roadmap Think of a pro forma as the financial blueprint for your online program. It's a model that projects your expected multi-year revenue, expenses, and profitability. A well-crafted pro forma helps answer these critical questions: Feasibility: Can this program sustain itself financially? When will it break even? Resource Allocation: Where should I invest most heavily? Where can I optimize resources? Decision-Making: Should we go ahead? Having hard financial data helps avoid costly mistakes Scenario Planning: What happens if enrollment is lower than expected? What if we raise the tuition? Funding: A robust pro forma can attract internal or external funding. 2. Enrollment Cascades: Tracking Your Students' Journey An enrollment cascade charts the progress of student cohorts throughout the program. It reveals where students might be struggling, dropping out, or thriving. Here's what an enrollment cascade tells you: Bottlenecks: Are there high drop-off points? This is a red flag for problems with course design, advising, or support. Targeted Interventions: Pinpointing student attrition allows for customized support to get them back on track. Data, not Guesswork: Enrollments cascades drive investment in the resources that make the biggest impact . Predicting the Future: Enrollment trends help you anticipate how many students you'll need to support each year – forecasting faculty, facilities, and budget needs. 3. Course Sequence Cascades: Ensuring a Smooth Progression A course sequence cascade visualizes how students flow through the series of required courses in your program. It reveals [...]

rbaltrip-admin2024-03-29T13:41:35+00:00Business & Leadership, Digital Learning, Education, Innovation, Leadership, Learning Innovation, Management, Marketing, Strategy|

Inside the World of a Chief Online Learning Officer: 3 Days of Innovation, Collaboration, and Strategic Leadership

Over the past 30+ years, online learning leadership has been growing and evolving. But what does it look like to serve a large, entrepreneurial institution as the Chief Online Learning Officer (COLO)? What does life actually look like on the ground for this role? To offer a transparent, behind-the-scenes glimpse, this post draws from three days in the life of a university's COLO. While some elements may be specific to this institution, the overarching themes reflect the fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and strategic nature of effectively leading online learning initiatives. Day 1: Balancing Pricing Strategy, Professional Development, and Cross-University Collaboration The first day highlights a blend of high-level strategic thinking and hands-on problem-solving. These were/are all things worked on during one actual day of work. Pricing Strategy Meeting: Starting with a complex conversation about online program pricing – a crucial decision influencing both revenue and accessibility. The COLO brings comparative data and deft negotiation skills to nudge stakeholders toward a more sustainable price point. External Partnership Exploration: Discussions with business school leadership lay the groundwork for lucrative partnerships to expand non-degree professional development programs. Alumni Engagement: Strategic collaboration with alumni affairs on a new professional development program aimed at alumni, demonstrating the power of cross-university relationships to unlock revenue and audience reach. Bachelor's Degree Design Innovation: This strategic meeting focuses on transforming online bachelor's degree design to better meet student needs (e.g., shorter courses, streamlined transfer processes). Online Graduate Business Program Development: Review of online graduate program design, showcasing the COLO's role in driving ongoing improvement. Enrollment Management & Student Success Partnership with Main Campus Unit Meeting: The COLO plays a key role in facilitating communication and collaboration with other university divisions (like Executive Education ) for shared initiatives and resource optimization. Transfer Student Innovation: A meeting on boosting transfer student enrollment underscores the COLO's focus on optimizing pipelines into [...]

rbaltrip-admin2024-03-29T13:40:24+00:00Digital Learning, Education, Leadership, Learning Innovation, Management|

Flipped Community: Decentralizing Online Learning

Several years ago, I was working on a draft paper that discusses decentralizing online learning by flipping our concept of a learning community. The notes below summarize the draft paper, which, at the moment, remains still incomplete and unfinished. The concept of "flipping" is popular in education. It implies a change for the better, whether in course design ("flipped classroom") or, as proposed in this article, the underlying concept of "learning community." Flipping Community: A New Approach The authors argue that the traditional notion of "learning community" in higher education is problematic for several reasons: Lack of Theoretical Grounding: They critique the field for its fragmented approach and lack of a unifying theory of learning community and social presence in courses. Static View: Traditional communities can be seen as static, failing to recognize the shifting, multi-faceted identities of students. Isolation: These communities can promote an insular view, cut off from the wider world and students' other communities. Singularity: There's a risk of promoting a dominant, potentially superior view that suppresses diverse perspectives. Mono-Cultural: Even when trying to be inclusive, a learning community can inadvertently perpetuate a mono-cultural perspective. The 'Flipped Community' Model The authors propose a solution: the "flipped community" theory. Key characteristics include: Shifting, not Static: Embracing the transient, diverse nature of student identities. Metropolitan, not Isolated: Acknowledging students' existence within many communities, and valuing learning from those external contexts. Multiple, not Singular: Allowing for a range of viewpoints without pressure to conform to a single perspective. Multi-Cultural, not Mono-Cultural: Actively promoting diverse viewpoints and preventing consensus-driven monoculture. Big Picture Considerations The article then contrasts traditional and 'flipped' communities on aspects like: Focus: Inward vs. Outward/External Goals: Centralized around the instructor vs. Decentralized Student Connections: Primarily within the course vs. also including engagement with wider society Duration: Illusion of permanence vs. Acceptance of transience Instructor's Shifting Role Traditional View: Instructor as the central authority, [...]

rbaltrip-admin2024-03-29T13:32:35+00:00Digital Learning, Education, Learning Innovation|

Building a Culture of Instructional Innovation: Opportunities and Challenges (Presentation)

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, fostering a culture of continuous innovation – embracing new ways to enhance the learning experience – is a top priority for many institutions. However, motivating faculty to explore and implement new teaching approaches can be a significant challenge. In 2017, while at William & Mary, I presented at the Online Learning Consortium (OLC). My presentation titled "Building a Culture of Instructional Innovation: Opportunities and Challenges" aimed to ignite a conversation on how institutions can best support and inspire faculty to embrace innovation in their teaching. Presentation Summary The Context of Innovation: My presentation explored the interplay between an institution's mission focused on high-quality teaching and a broader culture embracing innovation. It highlighted the need for alignment between these two objectives. Defining Instructional Innovation: To frame the discussion, I clarified that instructional innovation encompasses any new or creative approach that aims to enhance students' learning. Such innovation can be small-scale, large-scale, and may or may not involve technology. Understanding Faculty Needs: The presentation delved into the fundamental needs of faculty: ongoing development, recognition, rewards, autonomy, and the desire to teach effectively. Motivating Faculty: I highlighted both common incentives (promotion opportunities, compensation, release time) as well as often overlooked intrinsic motivators, such as the desire to improve student learning and a sense of belonging to an innovative institution. Barriers to Innovation: A significant portion of the presentation focused on real-world obstacles that commonly hinder faculty's adoption of new teaching methods: Negative Perceptions: Skepticism towards the effectiveness of new approaches and the training needed to implement them. Lack of Motivation: Even when extensive resources are available, faculty (especially junior faculty focused on tenure) may not prioritize innovation. Time Constraints: Limited time to explore and implement new strategies. Workload Concerns: The additional work required may be a deterrent, especially when development time is [...]

rbaltrip-admin2024-03-29T13:40:13+00:00Digital Learning, Education, Leadership, Learning Innovation, Management, Strategy|