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 "I have the pleasure to announce and launch my alliance with Fine Research, a regional agency, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, specialised in providing high quality professional services in market research." Marcelo for hire Would your institution like a consultation with leading international xidp commentator and analyst, Marcelo Follari? Either way find out what your competition now has access to.
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IDP Losses are Industry GainsOn the 9th of December 2004, one in four of IDP's Australia staff and seven country offices were closed with little warning. Many professionals lost their jobs. In many ways, that day was a turning point for IDP, the Australian international education industry and all the people involved. I clearly remember the day after. We were seated enjoying a coffee in Kingston (Canberra) with John Hilvert and some other people discussing what to do, how to turn all these negative feelings into a positive state of things, and how to continue with our lives. Most of us wanted to continue working in the international education industry. It was clear that the state of things in IDP Education Australia couldn't continue for much longer. The rest is now old news… From IDP's Brain-Drain to Industry's Brain-GainNow IDP is trying to overcome its own 'brain drain'. Over the last two years, it has lost much of its most talented human capital. The current numbers of XIDPers confirms that the intellectual loss in IDP has been dramatic. In turn, the international education industry has gained an immense pool of talented human resources. It is possible to find XIDPers in a wide cross-section of Australian and overseas institutions, non-for-profit organisations, private companies, consulting groups and various Australian Government departments. There are XIDPers working in the areas of marketing, finance, accounting, research & consulting, student recruitment, development services, English-language accreditation, English testing, journalism, IT and web design in Australia and overseas. It is also well known that IDP decided to 'focus on key markets', closing offices in various corners of the world seen as unprofitable. Those who were made redundant by IDP have decided to continue working in the industry and have taken the post left by IDP. It is now possible to find XIDPers working as international education consultants and student recruitment agents in Australia, Africa, North and South America and Europe. Collectively they are expanding and generating more business than in the past, when they were part of the IDP network. Nowadays, the industry is evaluating the possibilities for expansion into the same emerging markets that IDP left behind (Europe, the Americas and Africa), in the face of increased competition in the Asian region. The closure of offices means IDP does not have direct access to these regions anymore. However, it is now possible for the industry to have access to a pool of extremely talented professionals in these regions. This is, at all lights, a brain-gain for the Australian education industry. Serving International Education IndustryIt is needless to say that we are all in touch with each other in the XIDP network. The 93 former IDP staff are well informed on international education trends and industry issues. We respect each other and value other colleagues' skill set and professionalism. In some ways, we are all associates. We have the ability to put our heads together for specific projects, if needed. This is a major plus for the industry and for all of us. Meanwhile questions arise about the future of IDP Education Australia. There are continuing concerns about its capacity to maintain its leadership role in for example, research services. A new business model may see rationalization of its Sydney-Canberra offices. The main issue is that there is a lack of clarity and certainty about its activities. This may change with the chief executive, due to be appointed in the next month or so. This might also explain why XIDPers who are catering services for the international education industry are now 'busy as ever'. 13 Apr 2005 Marcelo Follari |
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Marcelo's ArchivesPostcards from South
America From Australia and the rest of the Asia Pacific region,
there will be an increasing need to understand how to do business in
South America, and to analyse different market segments.
Market research and international
education 2005: The Challenges Ahead
The 'happy years' of growth are over and they will seriously impact
on the university business. What now? Blame it on the dollar? "...If you want to stay in the international education field,
this website is becoming a mandatory reference for the industry."
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