Transforming Student Recruitment
for EHL Swiss

WORK CADENCE | TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS | SERVICE INTEGRATION
About | Pioneering Hospitality Education Globally

EHL Swiss School of Tourism & Hospitality, established as École hôtelière de Lausanne, is the world’s foremost hospitality management school located in Switzerland. Renowned globally, it trains students aiming for managerial careers in the hotel and hospitality industries and attracts thousands from around the world due to its prestigious programs and reputation as the best hospitality school globally.

Challenge | Modernizing Recruitment in a Complex Educational Landscape

Previously, EHL Swiss's recruitment process was hampered by fragmented technological solutions. This disjointed approach led to inefficiencies, particularly after the acquisition of the Swiss School of Tourism & Hospitality (SSTH) in 2016. Recruiters, who traveled globally to host events, generated numerous leads but lacked the technology to effectively follow up. The absence of a unified system to track interactions from initial contact through to application submission resulted in high acquisition costs and limited visibility into the prospective students' decision-making process.

Solution | Unified Sales and Marketing with HubSpot

Recognizing the need for a cohesive strategy, Veronique Malan, Director of Marketing and Sales Channels at EHL Group, championed the adoption of HubSpot. HubSpot's all-in-one platform was selected to consolidate sales, marketing, and customer success tools, thereby enhancing the student experience and boosting admissions. The platform’s robust capabilities in lead management and engagement tracking were poised to transform EHL Swiss's approach to student recruitment.

Implementation | Implementing a Unified Recruitment Strategy

The implementation of HubSpot started with integrating Marketing Hub Professional to centralize and streamline marketing efforts. This was complemented by the Sales Hub, which equipped the sales team with tools to monitor real-time interactions and enhance follow-ups. The synergy between these hubs facilitated a structured and effective recruitment process, enabling personalized outreach and more strategic lead nurturing.

Outcome | Dramatic Growth in Student Enrollment and Operational Efficiency

The results were transformative. EHL Swiss witnessed a 150% increase in organic search traffic and a 100% increase in leads from social media and direct sources. This surge in engagement contributed to doubling the student intake from 30 to 60 for the spring enrollment within two years. By 2017, the school had grown to full capacity, with 150 new students enrolled annually, necessitating the expansion of physical facilities to accommodate the influx.

Conclusion | A New Standard in Hospitality Education Recruitment

EHL Swiss's integration of HubSpot revolutionized their global recruitment strategy. The technology not only facilitated a significant increase in admissions but also brought unprecedented alignment between sales and marketing efforts. This case exemplifies how leveraging the right technology platforms can profoundly impact recruitment strategies and business growth in the education sector.

“The strong visibility that HubSpot gives our team means that we can speak to candidates early in their decision journey and develop rapport and relationships right through the process”
- Veronique Malan, Marketing and Sales Channels Director, EHL Swiss
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