--- title: Seven reasons to create new continuing education programs description: There are seven reasons to create new programs. When developing new courses/seminars, check this list to see if you are doing so. image: https://blog.lern.com/hs-fs/file-16563770-jpg/images/ladder-into-the-sky1.jpg --- [LERN Club Sign-In](http://beta.lern.org/club/) [![lern-logo.png](https://blog.lern.com/hubfs/June-folder/lern-logo.png "lern-logo.png")](http://lern.org) ** # Articles # Seven reasons to create new continuing education programs Wed, May 23,2012 @ 11:35 AM by Suzanne Kart | ![continuing education](https://blog.lern.com/hs-fs/file-16563770-jpg/images/ladder-into-the-sky1.jpg?width=178&height=178&name=ladder-into-the-sky1.jpg)There are seven reasons to create new programs. When developing new courses/seminars, check this list to see if you are doing so for one or more of these reasons. If you are not, you should closely evaluate your reason. 1. **Generate New Sales**. Add dollars to total income. Certain divisions are lacking programs and need to be beefed up. Many times failing to look at numbers means we miss out on targeting programs that can be expanded. 2. **Increase Operating Margin**. Your present mix of programs may not be generating the operating margin you need. They may be popular, but the cost may be too high or the price too low. Developing new programs with a better operating margin can increase your present operating margin. You may choose to price these programs higher or reduce costs. Even if this is what you are already doing, be aware that too many programs with a low operating margin could truly jeopardize the future of your total program. 3. **Build Customer Base**. By offering more new programs, you may do a better job of targeting segments that are not being served appropriately and you might just reach out to people not currently involved with your program. A diverse, but not overextended, selection can be helpful in adding new names to your database. 4. **Keep Catalog/Promotions Fresh and Current**. Many times customers move on to another organization because there aren’t enough new products to choose from. Also, many times potential customers do not even review a program if they feel it is just a rehash of what came across their desk six months earlier. It is important to be always adding new, so that the public feels that you are spending energy and time listening and responding. As stated earlier, it is all a perception. Image is everything. 5. **Energize and Challenge Staff**. Programming staff can fall into easy routines quickly. If they are not being challenged to develop new products, they will do what is easy. Also, if they are not made accountable for the products they develop, they will not look to add new programs. 6. **Respond to Customer Needs**. The customer is the boss. If the customers are looking for new programs, it is our responsibility to give them what they want. 7. **Cut Out Losers**. Since there is only so much promotional space, developing new programs will probably force the elimination of programs that are not carrying their own weight. This is important, because many times losers are left in way too long and weigh down all of our hard work. [![Click me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/119076/71e6d158-8376-41fe-90da-d23e25d885b4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/119076/71e6d158-8376-41fe-90da-d23e25d885b4)       ### LATEST NEWS Video: How to Get the Most From a LERN Membership LERN Video - The LERN Program Review: Position Your Unit for Success LERN Cancellation Rates and New Programs: A Lesson From Netflix Kathryn Lynch-Morin Ready for Liftoff: Drones and Drone Courses are More Popular Than Ever Kathryn Lynch-Morin Working with the University of Nebraska - Omaha LERN [Tweets by @LernUpdates](https://twitter.com/LernUpdates) [LERN Club Sign-In](http://beta.lern.org/club/)