Introduction:

About BIMTECH and Its Alumni Network Growth

Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), founded in 1988 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is one of India’s leading business schools. Over the years, BIMTECH has developed a culture of scholastic excellence and a lively, multi-cultural campus life. With students from every nook and corner of India, the campus is a true “mini India.”

As time passed, the alumni community of BIMTECH expanded to over 6,600 alumni. But how to engage and retain such a big, scattered community was a challenge in itself. This case study examines how BIMTECH transformed its alumni relations through the AlmaShines alumni engagement platform and the phenomenal outcomes in terms of connectivity, activity, and community.

The Challenge:

Managing a Growing Alumni Network at BIMTECH

Outdated Alumni Records

Even though it had thousands of graduates all around the world, it was not an easy task for BIMTECH to keep their alumni database up to date. Alumni used to change companies, addresses, or contact numbers so often that it became hard for them to keep themselves connected.

Low Event Attendance

Even after conducting events and reunions, BIMTECH had consistently low attendance rates. A lot of alumni were not aware of the future events, while others felt disconnected from the institute and the classmates.

Limited Online Interaction

BIMTECH did not have a platform for online alumni interaction with a focal point of interface. The connections were fragmented in the manner of emails, social media, and loose WhatsApp groups, which gave rise to missed opportunities for constructive interaction.

Difficulty in Monitoring Alumni Careers

Alumni career progress monitoring and placement in the corporate sector was proving to be problematic for the alumni office. This was reducing the potential of BIMTECH to share success stories of the alumni, provide mentorship, and tap the network for placements.

Lost Connections

With time, most of these alumni simply faded from view. With no systematic method to reconnect with these “lost” alumni, the network of BIMTECH was not working at its best.

The Objective:

What BIMTECH Expected from an Alumni Engagement Solution

To resolve these challenges, BIMTECH management had explicit expectations for an alumni engagement solution:

• Keep a current, centralized alumni database and make it accessible to campus stakeholders

• Grow alumni event attendance

• Foster online interaction and community

• Create comprehensive reports on alumni demographics and participation

• Create profiles and reconnect lost alumni

These objectives led to opening the door to an online revolution in alumni relations.

The Solution:

Why BIMTECH Chose AlmaShines for Alumni Engagement

Following the review of a few options, BIMTECH selected AlmaShines, an innovative alumni engagement platform built specifically for schools. The platform provided:

• Centralized Management of the Database: Simple updating and segmentation of alumni data

• Event Management Tools: Automated invitations, RSVPs, reminders

• Online Community Functions: Forums, groups, and messaging for alumni interaction

• Analytics and Reporting: Real-time analysis into engagement and demographics

• Alumni Tracking: Software for the identification and follow-up with lost alumni

In 2021, BIMTECH established its tailored alumni engagement platform on AlmaShines.

The Transformation:

Alumni Engagement Results After 4 Years with AlmaShines

1. Smarter Alumni Relationships

BIMTECH reached out to 89% of its alumni list within four years. The common database allowed effortless update of contact details, batch-wise or region-wise segmentation of alumni, and personalized communications.

2. More Active Users on the Platform

81% of graduates joined the site as active users, logging in on a regular basis to update their profiles, engage in discussions, and monitor campus events and news.

3. Growing Alumni Event Participation

Participation in events increased, with attendance at alumni meets increasing by 70%. Automated reminders and invitations helped more alumni be aware of the events, and online RSVPs provided a hassle-free way of attending.

4. Real-Time Alumni Tracking

BIMTECH was able to locate alumni employed in more than 120 premier organizations. This not only facilitated identification of alumni success but also assisted in offering mentorship, networking, and placements for current students.

5. Reaching Out to Lost Alumni

Through programs such as the Batch Ambassador Program, BIMTECH was able to reconnect with many of its erstwhile “lost” alumni. Ambassadors from each batch reached out to other alumni and encouraged them to join the platform and engage in alumni activities.

Visualizing the Impact:

BIMTECH Alumni Engagement Before vs. After

Key Takeaways:

Lessons from BIMTECH’s Alumni Engagement Strategy

BIMTECH’s experience provides lessons that are instructive to other institutions of learning:

• Centralized, easy-to-use platform is the secret to maintaining large alumni networks over time.

• Automated event and communication software significantly boosts participation.

• Data-driven insights enable institutions to better know their alumni and serve them.

• Personal contact, including ambassador programs, are central to reconnecting with missing members.

Could This Be Your Institution?

Are you experiencing any of these same challenges with engaging alumni?

• Missing or outdated alumni records

• Poor event attendance

• Struggling to follow alumni careers

• Lost touch with previous graduates

If yes, then BIMTECH’s story proves that the proper technology and strategy can turn your alumni network into a formidable force for your institution.

Ready to Revolutionize Your Alumni Network?

Don’t watch your alumni community go separate ways.
Be a part of top institutions like BIMTECH that have re imagined alumni engagement with AlmaShines.

Conclusion: A Future-Proof Alumni Engagement Strategy

BIMTECH’s experience with AlmaShines demonstrates that given the right tools, any organization can reconnect with alumni, engage them more, and build a healthful community. The transformation wasn’t technology-based—it was building real relationships that benefit alumni, students, and the organization.

Take the first step—discover what AlmaShines can do for your alumni network!
For additional information, visit AlmaShines.com or email us at [email protected]