For education suppliers expanding into new markets, success requires a clear understanding of the schools you are trying to reach – what makes them unique, what challenges they face, and how they fit into the broader international school landscape. ISC Outreach is an unmatched digital platform equipping businesses with data on over 15,000 international schools, first-hand market intelligence, and direct outreach capabilities.
In our recent webinar, Are you optimising your outreach with trusted market data?, we heard from industry experts Ashley Kirk, Head of Sales (EMEA) at Veracross; Amanda Clarke, Sales Director International at Oxford University Press; and Ian Hunter, Founder and CEO of Lime Education Consulting. Together, they shared four ways ISC Outreach can drive your international growth and success:
1. Segment Target Audiences with Precision
Many education suppliers turn to ISC Outreach for its verified directory of contact details for over 80,000 school staff. However, success goes far beyond cold emails and mass outreach. To achieve meaningful results, you need to make sure every contact aligns closely with your product, target market, and overall strategy.
“The fastest way to be successful is to have ISC Research at the core of what you do.”
Ian Hunter
This is where the live database makes a difference. With a range of filterable data points, you can identify schools that are a strong match for your company. For example, analysing tuition fees alongside enrolment data helps calculate a school’s cost per student and assess its potential as a client. Meanwhile, sports providers can use facilities data to target schools with specific amenities, such as swimming pools or sports pitches, ensuring their offerings meet actual needs.
2. Map the Market to Uncover Hidden Opportunities
Reaching the right schools starts with knowing where to look. ISC Outreach’s interactive map allows you to explore specific regions, countries, or cities, apply the desired filters, and uncover opportunities that might otherwise be missed. For example, before attending an in-person event, you can pinpoint relevant schools nearby, invite them to your presentation, or schedule one-to-one meetings. This allows for greater visibility and maximum ROI from your time in the field.
Alongside this, suppliers can uncover unmet market needs based on curriculum, language profile, or other specific characteristics to inform product development. As Ashley Kirk of Veracross explained, the bilingual school indicators in ISC Outreach helped the company identify a gap in the market, where certain languages were underserved in existing multilingual platforms. This insight led to the launch of a Spanish-language portal within Veracross’ software, extending their reach across Spain and Latin America.
3. Capture Market Trends with On the Ground Intelligence
ISC Outreach’s uniqueness stems from the Field Research Team, who spend the academic year conducting in-depth interviews with international schools around the world. Their work provides first-hand insights into real market conditions and informs ISC Research’s white papers and comprehensive reports. These publications give you visibility into pedagogical shifts, regulatory updates, school developments, and emerging operational challenges. This depth of understanding enables you to spot growth opportunities early and diversify your market strategies.
“The white papers highlight market trends early on – they’re the eyes and ears on the ground.”
Amanda Clarke
4. Use Data to Drive Strategic Planning and Decisions
Data should be the foundation of high-impact business decisions. ISC Outreach’s Power BI-backed Analysis tool enables you to examine patterns across markets and school profiles, highlighting where interest and purchasing potential are most likely to align. By exploring factors such as budget, academic calendar, and similarity to existing clients, you can categorise schools by purchasing potential and adjust strategies accordingly. This level of analysis supports smarter sales territory planning, shifting the focus from geography to genuine market and acquisition opportunities.
Whilst ISC Outreach data should form the basis of strategic decisions, it is strong professional relationships that drive long-term international growth. This July, the ISC Research Annual Conference 2025 will focus on the relationships that matter in international education, offering suppliers a valuable opportunity to engage with data-informed insights and connect with potential school partners. Join us to strengthen your presence and impact across the international school community.
