Generating an active MBA alumni community - A dedicated school app

 

For leading business schools looking to secure the best candidates, harnessing their extensive MBA alumni networks can dramatically enhance the program’s value and reach. By strengthening connectivity among candidates, alumni, and industry communities, schools can unlock significant commercial benefits and compete more effectively on a global scale..

MBA programs are unique in the strength and depth of the relationships they build with their alumni—connections that are not only vital for the program's ongoing success but also feed into the portfolio of evidence that supports the school’s global rankings. To fully leverage this potential, schools need more than just a directory; they require dynamic, interactive platforms that foster continuous, meaningful engagement within the alumni community!

 
 

Despite the clear value of these connections, our work with business school partners and engagement with alumni and careers teams have highlighted several key challenges in effectively activating and maintaining these relationships:

  • Passive Alumni Directories: Many schools rely on static alumni directories that do little to foster active engagement

  • Maintaining Relevance: Ensuring that engagement remains meaningful as MBA alumni progress and evolve in their careers.

  • Facilitating Meaningful Connectivity opportunities : Creating meaningful opportunities for networking, events, and mentorship between alumni and current MBA candidates is often difficult to manage/coordinate.

  • Resource Limitations: Limited budgets and staff can hinder the ability to implement and sustain comprehensive engagement strategies & keep update to date records/data.

 

“The app has truly given me a sense of belonging by connecting me with diverse groups and offering access to enriching events. It played a crucial role in my decision to choose this MBA program, as it assured me of the vibrant and supportive community at WBS.

👏🏾 WBS Pre-MBA team !”

—Sara Benchina (WBS MBA Candidate)

 

Designing a Dynamic community app for Business Schools

For our school partners, like Warwick Business School, we co-design and deploy a fully branded community app that transforms passive alumni directories into a live, active engagement platform. MBA alumni are high-achieving professionals who thrive on dynamic interactions, not static lists. Together, we create a vibrant, interactive community space that aligns with the unique needs and values of your MBA program. Here’s how our collaborative approach sets your school apart:

 
 

  1. A Live Active Community Experience
    Unlike traditional, static alumni directories, the app we design with you provides a real-time engagement platform where interactions are always fresh, timely, and meaningful. It’s a living community where alumni, current students, and industry professionals can connect, collaborate, and grow together in a space that truly reflects your school’s identity.

  2. Continuous, Real-Time Interaction
    Unlike large directory-style platforms, we tailor your app to foster live engagement through features like instant messaging, live discussions, and dynamic content updates, ensuring your alumni network remains actively connected and engaged, day in and day out.

  3. Targeted Push Notifications
    Through our co-design process, we build an app that keeps your alumni engaged with targeted push notifications and alerts delivering personalized updates in real-time. Whether it’s exclusive job opportunities, networking events, or important school news, these notifications are crafted to keep your community informed and actively involved.

  4. Interactive Events and Networking Opportunities
    Your app transforms events from basic listings into dynamic experiences. Alumni can RSVP, participate in live polls, join virtual meetups, and engage with other attendees—all within a platform designed specifically for your school. This creates an ongoing conversation that keeps the community alive before, during, and after the event itself.

  5. Real-Time, Personalized Content and Comms
    We work closely with you to deliver content that is never stale. The app is designed to provide live updates, industry insights, and school news tailored to each user’s interests and career stage, fostering continuous engagement and ensuring your alumni feel connected and valued.

  6. Active Career and Mentorship Opportunities Aligned with Your Goals
    Through our collaborative design, the app offers real-time career connections with integrated job boards and mentoring features that are always up-to-date. Alumni can search for opportunities, connect with potential mentors, and provide guidance to current students—all within a dynamic, interactive environment created for your community.

  7. A Branded, Dynamic Platform That Reflects Your School’s Unique Culture
    This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s a co-designed, live community hub that fully reflects your school’s brand, values, and culture. You have control over the content, interactions, and community dynamics, creating a tailored experience that stands apart from generic platforms.

  8. Data-Driven Insights to Evolve with Your Community
    With a live, active app designed in partnership with your school, you gain access to rich data and analytics on user engagement. This helps you understand what resonates most and continuously refine your engagement strategies to better serve your unique community.

 
 
 
Declan Sweeney