Former colleagues are a rich source of help to leaders and organizations. Alumni who know the organization and its leaders especially well are in the perfect position to lend a hand in ways that no one else can. Staying in touch and maintaining alumni relationships can pay huge dividends.
Alumni who feel connected and valued by their former organization often become a source of talent, introductions, and referrals. They talk up the organization and spread good news when they feel as if the enterprise wants their involvement.
In treating them like the VIPs they hopefully will become, the best organizations have a formal mechanism to keep valued alumni informed of impactful changes and news and to ask for their opinions and perspectives about relevant matters.
Alumni maintain a special place in their hearts for the former organization when that specialness is reciprocated. Their suggested candidates have to jump to the front of the line and their proposed introductions must be treated seriously.
Invitations to attend functions, offer remarks, and share their perspective are other ways the best organizations solidify the relationship with alums.
The work it takes to maintain an Alumni List and to stay on top of the communication with these former colleagues pales in comparison to the long-term benefit a strong connection will provide. Organizations often think of themselves as too busy to engage alumni more formally and rely on leaders to stay in touch in a casual way.
This is a big miss.
The contributions of alumni can be both significant and unique. When former colleagues stay connected and feel positive about their relationship with an organization, they go out of their way to show their affection.
Every organization needs more such fans out in the world, but they have to be created, not just hoped for. Former colleagues who know the ins and outs of an organization can be a huge advantage for success if they are asked to be involved.
The first move is to track and engage them.
