St. Paul QC adopts new strategies in education business

IN RESPONSE to the challenges most academic institutions are facing today, St. Paul University Quezon City is undertaking innovative strategies to increase its market share in the education business. Known as the "Blue Ocean Strategy," SPUQC will now begin to explore possibilities for product innovations focusing not only on the improvement of the different aspects of the academic industry but also on the creation of new demands and methods in the business. Compared to red ocean strategies where spaces contain boundaries and rules that have long been accepted and understood, blue ocean strategies, on the other hand, are geared towards innovative thinking, novel ideas, and new market spaces. Instead of simply competing with providers in an already ex- isting industry, industries will now venture into unexplored avenues even by the competition. Blue ocean strategies actually come from red ocean practices, and the process begins once industries transform and create needs for areas and spaces left for others to unravel. The campaign to paddle together toward a "blue ocean" was formally launched last March 7 to 9 at the St. Paul Center for Renewal in Alfonso, Cavite. Dr. Mila P. Mendoza, a certified trainer and consultant in education and health industries, facilitated the three-day seminar-workshop entitled "Strategic Planning towards a Blue Ocean." As the university embarks on a journey to find its niche, it will now utilize the power of innovation and collaboration as competitive weapons to ensure sustainability and growth.