Transforming Student Recruitment
for EHL Swiss
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.