Poornatha Partnering Pvt. Ltd.

Report
On

Alumni Networking

Prepared by

Akshay Singh Bhartiya

Kanak Kumar Das
Meenakshi Ramakrishnan
Syed Shameer Ahamed
Alumni Network
Alumni networks are groups of former colleagues whose purpose is to maintain a strong bond
with their colleagues and institution while also advocating for the welfare of the members of
the network. Alumni can make business contacts, arrange reunions, and serve as role models
for the types of individuals that attend same institute. It's especially beneficial for people who
are truly interested in their old colleagues' lives and want to know what they're up to.

‘Everything in One Place’

The Alumni Network's goal is to bring all alumni news, correspondence, events, activities,
photographs, and more together in one place. This platform serves as a single hub for alumni,
ex-employees, current employees, and employers to stay engaged throughout their careers.
Keep up with key news, projects, and events, and understand how our community can make a
valuable impact in your life right now. Good alumni relationships bring many benefits to both
the institution and the alumni.

Core feature of alumni network

 Wider Professional Network: Alumni associations are rife with opportunities for
expanding a alumni’s professional network.

 Targeted Career Services: Alumni organisations usually offer a variety of career services
to assist former colleagues in locating employment possibilities and increasing their
chances of receiving a job offer.

 Contact with former mates: Another advantage of joining an alumni organisation is the
ability to reconnect with former co-workers and employees. This leads to a job
opportunity or simply a chance to reconnect with old acquaintances and friends.

 Commit to staying in touch with key people: As with any other type of networking, the
key to getting the most out of your shared institution connections is being consistent about
staying in touch.

 Be a good referral partner and a people connector: The real value of networking is in
the ability to connect with individuals for mutual gain. You are cultivating deeper
relationships by modelling healthy connection behaviours. In the long term, that depth will
yield greater outcomes than just increasing the number of surface connections.

 Purposeful Programming: A successful alumni relations programme revolves around an

institutional message; coordination with the HR office guarantees increased participation;
and post-event follow-up mines attendees for their willingness to volunteer and give. This
gives a greater sense of purpose to an external alumni programming strategy.

 Become a resource: Along the lines of volunteering for alumni committees, consider
becoming a resource for others.

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Why alumni network fail
The fundamental failure of Alumni programs is they rarely started by asking “how can we
serve our Alumni?”, they rarely engage with them. Following are reasons for the failure.

 Lack of context, lack of recognition and lack of value: Many organisations' Alumni
websites are just a member directory with news, activities, and a financial reference to
drive donations.

 Little or No Value Program: Is there a recognition that if you serve the Alumni well,
they in-turn will serve the company well?

 Lacking adequate resources: Having appropriate resources committed to the programme

is a vital element of the equation, from constructing the network's architecture to actively
generating content.

 Mistaking your alumni for a marketing channel: One of the primary reasons for
organizations to establish an alumni network is to increase business development
opportunities. However, how an organization approaches this effects the firm's bottom line
and the overall success of the program. Organizations have the tendency to mistake their
alumni for a marketing channel by bombarding them with unrelated, impersonal content,
which leads to a lack of engagement and overall interest in the program.

 Making the experience not user-friendly enough: A user-friendly alumni platform is

critical for boosting conversion rates and, as a result, providing a pleasant user experience.
Top companies understand that rather than a crowded, overly complicated, and impersonal
design, alumni prefer an intuitive, mobile-responsive experience that directs them to
material that is relevant to them.

Example of failure: Stockholm University alumni association

After the year 2000, alumni networks at Stockholm University and in Sweden began to
emerge. The lack of a history, track record of action, and set of role models that naturally
drive new graduates to university participation is a difficulty. Furthermore, most senior
graduates haven't been in touch with the university in a long time. They hence do not have a
track record of engagement with the University on which to build. Tackling these challenges
involves working with current students (who are the base for the future alumni network and
who are easier to involve while they are students than to reconnect once they have been
disconnected for many years), as well as finding more senior alumni and working to connect
them to Stockholm University and ramp up their involvement now that they have experience
and contacts that could be of considerable value to the University's programmes.
Traditional Swedish culture is another possible stumbling block to building alumni relations
networks in Sweden. Swedish cultural standards, in which the state gives university education
to all people as a regular advantage. In a completely state-funded system, there is an
expectation that the state (or University) will supply what is required, lowering the
expectation that alumni will donate their time or money.
Reason for Failure…

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• Senior alumni have not been connected with the University for a long time.
• They do not have a track record of engagement with the University.
• There is a lack of context and value system.
• Alumni relations networks in Sweden relate to the aspects of traditional Swedish culture.
• In Sweden, self-promotion is seen as inappropriate. So, alumni are reticent to step forward
as 'experts' or view their talents and experiences as valuable to the University.

How to make alumni network successful

 Connect with the Community: Many alumni groups collaborate with their local
communities so that alumni may help the community while also forming relationships
with local residents and officials.

 Socializing: Alumni groups aren't necessarily all about business. They host a variety of
social events, including mixers, happy hours, and galas, as well as homecoming
celebrations, new programme initiations, alumni award ceremonies, and staff reunions.
Employees forming enduring friendships through social ties.

 Giving Back: Gifts, endowments, membership, and service opportunities are all options
available through alumni associations. Giving back to an alumni association is a fantastic
way to guarantee that the company's heritage goes on and that future generations of
workers have access to high-quality higher education and engagement.

 Professional, Motivated Staff: Alumni relations has grown increasingly important to the
institution's success, and it demands the greatest personnel from top to bottom. Leaders of
high-performing alumni relations offices are focused on nurturing and keeping talent as
well as building a professional and excellence-oriented corporate culture.

 Long term plan for resource allocation: In the early phases of designing a programme,
make a long-term plan for resource allocation. A strong alumni relations programme
should be designed around specific institutional goals so that it's apparent how what's
being done and accomplished connects to important objectives.

 Encouragement: Institution leaders must be willing to participate in certain alumni

relations events and encourage and assist alumni relations personnel at the university and
department levels.

Examples of successful alumni network

Mckinsey and company
With over 30,000 alumni in 120 countries, McKinsey & Company has one of the largest and
oldest corporate alumni networks. The alumni programme brings together significant figures
in the global business world to focus on lifelong career development and preserving long-

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term partnerships. There's also alumni news and biographies of alumni who are creating a
name for themselves in their new careers. Sean Brown, Global Director of Alumni, tells
Forbes how the member-only site is about developing a global network of past consultants to
suit current clients' requirements.
Reason for Success…

 Engagement: Individuals and departments from all over the world are connected for
personal and professional advancement.

 Enrichment: Giving people the chance to acquire and share new skills, opportunities, and
knowledge.

 Philanthropy: Giving back to our communities by promoting global economic

empowerment.

 Investment: McKinsey's investment in alumni network maintenance is impressive. At

least one person is responsible for alumni involvement in practically every one of the
firm's offices. The firm is responsible for funding the directory, knowledge events, and
global conferences.

 Goal Setting: McKinsey's spokesperson stated that the firm is much more focused on
client and people impact. The company believes that it is better able to meet the needs of
existing customers by building an international network of former consultants. It is not
only better equipped to attract the best talent, but it is also better positioned to acquire the
knowledge required to continue providing exceptional service to clients.

 Online Hub: The McKinsey alumni network's hub is now a members-only website to
which all alumni and current employees have access. The website has an alumni directory,
which occasionally includes the home addresses and personal phone numbers of previous
alumni. It also serves as the McKinsey event announcement centre.

Microsoft
The Microsoft Alumni Network is an impressive worldwide community of alumni who share
a common experience of having worked at Microsoft. Founded in 1995 by a few alumni who
wanted to stay connected, the Alumni Network today is a member organization representing
more than 48,000 alumni in 54 countries.
No matter when, why or how you left, all Microsoft alumni share a common DNA and a
passion for changing the world. Working at Microsoft was a unique experience, an
opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
Reason for Success…

 Microsoft Alumni Network member directory (a searchable global address list of alumni)
 AlumConnect - a trusted online community to share ideas and communicate directly with
other Microsoft Alumni Network members

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 Access to career resources and tools, including exclusive access to presentations from
alumni career coaches.

 Speaking Volumes, author video series, Alum Talks, alumni lecture series.

 The Alumni Connector Newsletter + other monthly communications for events and alumni
news.

 Exclusive alumni network events, including virtual career fairs, philanthropy events,
business mentoring conferences, reunions, lectures, webinars, chapter events and social
meet ups.

 75% discount on Linkedin Premium Business annual subscription which includes

Linkedin learning on-demand courses.

 Special access and programs for alumni-owned startups that participate in the Microsoft
for Startups program.

Use alumni network in Poornatha

 Staying connected: through an alumni network poornatha can stay connected to a huge
number of people who are aware of our programs. Even if we put up a post on his social
network Spaces, the post can get higher reaches due to the involvement of the alumni
network.

 New program beneficiary:If a new program is launched, it might be possible that a few
of our alumni are potential customer.

 Boost in referrals: Poornatha might get new customers by the referrals from our alumni
to their acquaintances

 Impression of care: an active involvement with the alumni of Poornatha would create an
impression of good Quality post service in the minds of new consumers.

 MSME employee training: a few of the MSME Businessman or the entrepreneurs might
want to get their employees trained by Poornatha. These delivers value to both the
alumnus and the company.

 Integrated Survey scope: for product improvement or any other purpose Poornatha can
Roll out a survey to its huge network. This might be more relevant rather than the non-
relevant sample pool.

 Review point: a huge network of alumni and their shared experiences might act as a proof
of work for the potential new consumers. This might act as a review site where new
consumers can get an idea of the work done in Poornatha.

 Word of mouth: On many occasions our alumni my to talk about Poornatha to their
acquaintances or share any post on their social media platforms.

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 Job Broadcast: Even in cases of hiring, if the role suits, Poornatha might broadcast a job
opportunities through them.

Onboarding process of entrepreneurs to alumni network

Features

 Very carefully crafted weekly introductory mail

 Dedicated Point of contact
 An experience sharing space
 Quick response for in person support
 The programme calendar for a year
 RSVP option
Process
1st phase:

 Connection point on all social media that forms. Mainly focused on Facebook
 Inviting them through group invitation, mail, WhatsApp messages, SMS, Etc.
2nd phase:

 Reaching them through a phone call and explaining the benefits and the process of on
boarding.
3rd Phase:

 Reminder calls after a week

Alternate ways:

 Scheduling and automated on boarding while taking admission to the program for the
upcoming candidates.
 On boarding them at the time of exit interview/Process for the current candidates.

Benefits we can provide through alumni network

 Exclusive Perks & Benefits: Alumni associations can provide a variety of benefits.
Poornatha can offer their alumni access to their data so that they can profit from it. Give
existing participants a cheaper deal on new programmes. Can act as a consultant to aid
them with their business.

 Access to Poornatha’s Resources: Alumni associations may offer a variety of resources

to assist former students. This might include things like access to library resources,
comprehensive magazine and periodical databases, and even training on current business
trends.

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 Up-to-Date Information About Poornatha Happenings: Alumni associations send out
current information about the firm to past participants of various programmes, such as e-
newsletters or corporate magazines, as well as news about the newest research discoveries,
so that participants may keep up to date on their co-workers.

 Volunteer Opportunities: Alumni can volunteer for several causes through their alumni
groups, which helps them give back to their communities. We can help them promote their
business by hosting events where all alumni may attend and learn from one another.

 Stay Connected to your former colleagues: People participating in Poornatha’s programs

are from diverse background, they can help each other in building their business through
referrals and vendor-client relation.

Selection of social media platform for alumni network

Social media platforms are online networking sites that enable you to communicate, interact,
share and display everything that you want to highlight. Some notable uses of social media to
mention are communication, collaboration, sharing of opinions and reviews, brand
monitoring, entertainment, and media sharing. The entire world can benefit through this.
Having said that, there are plenty of available platforms today like Facebook, WhatsApp,
twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, snapchat, telegram, YouTube and so much more.
Which platform would be the most appropriate for an alumni association to function on? If
we talk about SME sector in India most of the entrepreneurs don’t have multiple social media
accounts, they mostly concentrated on WhatsApp and Facebook, in fact only from last couple
of years there is a social media boom in our country and most of the entrepreneur not even
present on social media and when we are talking about SMEs we have to think about urban as
well as rural India. Also Considering the average age of the alumni of the Empower sessions
which is 40+ and background of SMEs in our country most of them are actively using
WhatsApp and Facebook. Looking in depth into both these options,
WhatsApp

 Pros
- Opens in a click of a button
- More accessible
- Instant messaging
- Notifications are received
- More personal – only available to one’s contacts
- User friendly
- More secure – Privacy
- High functioning groups

 Cons

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 - Limit upto 256 participants
- Can be annoyance to some
- Not a wide reach
- Doesn’t have many features as to participate and share reactions and opinions
- Contact numbers required
- Large files cannot be shared

Facebook

 Pros
- Wider reach
- Availability of features like events, timeline and social plugins
- Can share information, posts and thoughts with others
- Can connect with a lot of people
- Notifications are received regarding any post
- Can be used for promotion of business
- Can form exclusive groups and tight knit communities
- Features are available to react, comment and share opinions or raise questions
- Can increase engagement quality
- No limits for media size shared

 Cons
- Time consuming when opened – tendency to look into other posts and therefor might not
use the app much.
- Posts might be missed
Considering these options, Both Facebook and WhatsApp would be equally apt for an alumni
association. The main platform we suggest is Facebook where entrepreneurs could socialise,
use the platform to market their products, bond with Poornatha and exploit other
opportunities. The network can be kept active and at the same time alumni can spend their
free time to go through the various activities happening.
Some features that can be used in a Facebook group are creating rules for the group,
mentorship / mentee option and setting up learning modules.
Why we are not opting WhatsApp because the main reason is there is a limit of 256
participants for group and we don’t want to irritate our alumni by messaging them
continuously. Also, we can’t provide all the benefits of alumni association on this app.
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Suppose we can’t create a poll in WhatsApp, or we can’t create the events and many more
such things are there, if we use WhatsApp eventually, we have to use some other application
for drafting events-n-all stuff and then we have to send the links. But all this can happen at
Facebook, also alumni on Facebook can be very useful for social media marketing, our media
posts can easily reach to masses, we don’t have to spend too much time to see the result of
the SMM campaign. At the same time, we don’t want to push our alumni to use new
application because they may not interested to install it or don’t know how to operate it.
However apart from these two platforms LinkedIn is a very resourceful social media platform
as well when it comes to the business front, not only to maintain a network but also to each
one’s professional aspect. Currently not many SMEs entrepreneurs in India would be aware
of the benefits of this platform and Poornatha could take an effort to introduce then to
LinkedIn in the future and use the available benefits like networking, connecting with like-
minded people and learning from each other to improve the efficiency of the network as well.

How to keep them engage and what should be the content

• Organize virtual happy hours: During these difficult times, virtual happy hours are a great
approach to stimulate social engagement among alumni. By developing a separate event page
for collecting the details, we can host virtual happy hour as a 1-hour event with limited
registrations. During the event, we can invite guests to share something about themselves,
such as a brief introduction, insight into how they're dealing with the crisis, or what they're
doing to support people in need.
• Organize virtual races: By creating a virtual race, we can help our alumni get over this
period of social isolation and encourage them to incorporate exercise into their daily routine.
Participants in a virtual race can come from any location and compete in a set amount of
time. Alumni photos taken during their walk/run can be shared with the alumni community
via Facebook or the alumni website, which can assist increase engagement and registrations.
• Quiz: We can organize weekly quiz about the topic from Empower or any sessions and can
select winner for prize money. We can post the same through social media.
• Product promotions: We can allow each alumnus to post in the above groups. So that they
can use these platforms to share about their product promotions and views.
• Expert Webinars: We can organize live webinars on trending topics through social media
platforms. Since, most of them are having growth mindset they will attend and engage with
the sessions.
• Share their stories: We can share the alumni success stories. Sharing alumni
accomplishments is a wonderful approach to demonstrate that Poornatha care about our
alumni and wish to celebrate their achievements.
• Personal point of contact: For new members & old alumni, we can introduce a single point
of contact (POC) and provide the POC's name and contact information. This will help to
maintain a friendly relationship.
• Share resources or tips: Poornatha can offer tips for alumni whenever they needed through
the personal point of contact. If needed, we can share our resources with discounted price.

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• Freebies: Give an alum a free cup of coffee or a cookie from a local bakery when they visit
our office.
• Giveaways: We can select an alumnus through random basis or by contest at every month
and give him a Poornatha’s own brand products (private labelling). We can share the post of
the same in social media.
• Handwritten letters: Handwritten appreciation letters for event organizers and attendees
are good way to look back the past and keep them in touch.
• Feedback: POC can call each alumnus to get personalized feedback about any events that
they are attending and request them to share their views in social media platforms.

Feature of good alumni association

 A robust governing body is a significant asset that offers advice and policies to help the
firm achieve its objectives. Because board members of a high-performing alumni relations
committees commit to thoroughly understanding their role in furthering the school, most
of the work of an alumni association occurs inside board committees.
 High-performing alumni relations offices work hand-in-hand with its advancement
partners, each contributing to the success of the other.
 The high-performing alumni relations committees is always looking for new ways to
enhance its programming, technology, and communication techniques, as well as best
practises, especially when it comes to addressing the requirements of younger populations.
 Connecting with the alumni consistently and frequently.
 Keeping the connection range as wide as possible. The target should be to on board all the
alumni that ever took a course in Poornatha.
 All the alumni relations programmes must be mutually to each other.
 The programmes must serve the alumni in their businesses. So relevancy is very
important.
 The network portal should be very easy to use. This is the reason Facebook is most
preferred.
 Confidentiality and privacy should be maintained while doing any kind of activity with the
alumni.
 A quick response previous team is very important to serve the valuable time of alumni.
 The programs and interactions must be very well designed so that they feel valued.
 In the referral program, the candidates that they refer must be given special priority.
 To reach out to the alumni, the first step should be always by Poornatha.
 Awareness of alumni network programme should be designed so that the ongoing
candidates are already interested in joining them while leaving.
Business-related goals

 To generate direct sales by making alumni customers.

 To increase the number of leads generated (customer referrals).
 To capture ideas and innovations from alumni.
 To get product assessment help.
 To get benchmarking help and to learn about industry best practices.
 To gather competitive intelligence.

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 To get help from alumni in building strategic partnerships.

References
 [Link]
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alumni-relations-office/
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alumni-program/
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jones/
 [Link]
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graduates/
 [Link]
 [Link]

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