Best Gjergj Dollani Podcasts (2025)

1
Beyond Rankings: How Manaferra Is Redefining Higher Ed SEO 46:58

25d ago46:58

46:58

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, host Gjergj Dollani sits down with Faton Sopa and Granit Doshklaku, the founders of Manaferra—an award-winning digital agency laser-focused on SEO for higher education. Recorded in Manaferra’s offices in Kosovo, this conversation explores why most universities misunderstand SEO, how organic search outperfor…

1
Higher Ed Leadership, Accreditation, and the Future of Education with Dr. Linda Robertson 38:16

3M ago38:16

38:16

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, I sit down with Dr. Linda Robertson, a seasoned higher education leader and former director at Kent State University, to discuss the evolving landscape of higher ed leadership. We explore key topics such as accreditation, institutional transformation, and the challenges facing universities today. Drawing fr…

1
Higher Ed SEO & Digital Strategy: What Universities Get Wrong (and How to Fix It) with Paula French 36:01

4M ago36:01

36:01

Higher education marketing is evolving, and universities that fail tooptimize for SEO are missing out on thousands of potential students. In this episode ofThe Enrollment Clinic, I sit down withPaula French, Director of Sales and Marketing atSearch Influence, to break down howsearch engine optimization (SEO) can drive enrollment growth for universi…

1
Aviation Education Reimagined: Alexandre Alves on Pilot Training & Higher Ed Partnerships 50:21

5M ago50:21

50:21

In this insightful episode of The Enrollment Clinic, Alexandre Alves, COO of Airways Aviation Group, explores the dynamic intersection of higher education and aviation training. Learn how Airways Aviation combines global reach (15+ countries) with innovative programs integrating pilot training, EASA licensing, and partnerships with universities lik…

1
Understanding the Emotional Journey: Mental Health and Enrollment Insights with Dr. Raquel Bermejo 31:36

6M ago31:36

31:36

How does mental health impact student enrollment? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, host Gjergj Dollani interviews Dr. Raquel Bermejo, Associate Vice President of Market Research and Planning at RNL, to explore how prospective students' emotional well-being shapes their college decision-making process. Uncover data-driven insights into Gen …

1
Scaling the Impossible: How University of the People Grew from 137 to 150,000 Students in Just 15 Years 34:28

7M ago34:28

34:28

How do you scale a university from 137 students to 150,000—all without tuition? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, Gjergj Dollani interviews Asaf Wolff, Senior VP of Enrollment at University of the People, to explore the groundbreaking strategies behind this incredible growth story. Learn how higher education institutions can disrupt traditi…

1
Beyond Borders: Caleb Bennett on Building Global Enrollment at East Tennessee State University 27:14

7M ago27:14

27:14

What does it take to succeed in international student recruitment? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic Podcast, host Gjergj Dollani chats with Caleb Bennett, Director of International Enrollments at East Tennessee State University, to explore the challenges and opportunities in higher education recruitment. Discover strategies for navigating s…

1
Revolutionizing Enrollment: How Halda is Transforming Student Engagement with Dallin Palmer 46:48

7M ago46:48

46:48

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, I sit down with Dallin Palmer, co-founder of Halda, an AI-driven platform that’s changing the way higher education institutions engage with prospective students. Dallin reveals how Halda shifts from traditional “Request for Information” forms to dynamic, student-focused interactions that drive higher conver…

1
Revolutionizing Education: Insights from GW's College of Professional Studies with Dr. Liesl Riddle 26:28

7M ago26:28

26:28

What’s driving innovation in higher education and continuing education today? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic Podcast, host Gjergj Dollani interviews Dr. Liesl Riddle, Dean of George Washington University’s College of Professional Studies, to explore groundbreaking strategies and trends in higher ed. Discover insights on: The launch of Rev…

1
Global Education Trends & International Student Market Insights with Janet Chang 29:35

8M ago29:35

29:35

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, we sit down with Janet Chang, Director of Student Services at Washington University of Science and Technology. Janet brings a wealth of knowledge from her own journey as an international student to becoming a leader in student services. We dive into: International student recruitment and university internat…

1
Blendi Salaj: From U.S. Student Life to Higher Ed Leadership and Gen Z Mentorship 43:21

8M ago43:21

43:21

Join us on this episode of The Enrollment Clinic as we chat with Blendi Salaj—media personality, former Director of Communications at Marin Barleti University, and a thought leader in education and stoicism. Blendi shares his eye-opening experience as an international student in the United States, where he encountered the disconnect between admissi…

1
Unlocking Higher Ed Success: ChatGPT's Take on Enrollment, International Students, and the Future 17:18

9M ago17:18

17:18

What’s next for higher education? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, host Gjergj Dollani engages in an insightful conversation with ChatGPT to tackle some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in higher ed today. Explore actionable strategies to boost adult learner enrollment, improve the quality of international student applications, …

1
Enrollment Trends in Medical Schools: Diversity, Policy Changes, and Mental Health with John McLoughlin 36:43

9M ago36:43

36:43

Looking to boost medical school admissions or improve higher education recruitment? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, host Gjergj Dollani interviews John McLoughlin, Executive Director of Enrollment Partnerships at St. George's University, to uncover the latest trends in medical school enrollment and admissions. Learn proven strategies for …

1
Beyond the Great Wall: Understanding the Chinese Student Market in the U.S. 34:48

10M ago34:48

34:48

In this episode, we dive into: 🌏 The unique dynamics of the Chinese international student market 🎓 What makes Chinese students stand out from a U.S. university perspective 🌐 The impact of geopolitics on U.S. university recruitment strategies David shares his expertise on how Sunrise International bridges the gap between Chinese students and America…

1
International Enrollment Agents 101: Boosting Your Higher Education Recruitment Strategy 19:08

10M ago19:08

19:08

In this inaugural episode of the Enrollment Clinic Podcast, I explore the world of student enrollment agents, agencies, and platforms. As a seasoned admissions expert, I'm frequently approached by university admissions officers seeking guidance on collaborating with enrollment agencies. This episode is designed to answer those questions and provide…

1
11 - Sorry, No Budget - Conferencing on a budget 51:58

12M ago51:58

51:58

Welcome to Episode 3 of the "Sorry, No Budget" podcast! 🎙️ Join your hosts Sam Fleischmann and Gjergj Dollani as we dive into the art of attending higher education conferences without breaking the bank. Whether you're a seasoned academic or new to the world of higher ed, we've got tips, tricks, and strategies to help you make the most of your confe…

1
10 - Sorry, No Budget - Future-Proofing Higher Education 31:45

1+ y ago31:45

31:45

The Enrollment Clinic presents a limited series titled "Sorry, No Budget" ...a higher education-ish podcast. I recorded this with my good friend Sam Fleischman. This episode was recorded one week before the AIRC Convention in Phoenix (2023). Sam and I were to conduct a panel discussion on Future-Proofing Higher education. We decided to record an ep…

1
Ristretto Shots: Inspiring email from a listener 8:21

2y ago8:21

8:21

In this episode of Ristretto Shots I read Phil’s email to me about a coffee gig he did, describing how it went and how much fun he had going out on his own and making it happen! This is what it’s all about folks; just getting out of your comfort zone and having a blast doing it. http://www.ristrettotime.com…

1
9 - Besart Kunushevci, Founder and CEO of Crossplag 22:49

2+ y ago22:49

22:49

"The Enrollment Clinic" podcast welcomes Besart Kunushevci, a leading expert in the field of academic integrity and the founder of Crossplag, the world's first cross-language plagiarism-checking solution. In this episode, we dive into the world of EdTech and explore the challenges faced by K12 and higher education institutions in ensuring academic …

1
Cracking the Code of Medical School Enrollment with John McLoughlin 26:50

2+ y ago26:50

26:50

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, we dive deep into the unique challenges and strategies of enrolling students in the highly specialized field of medical education. Our guest, John McLoughlin, Director of Onshore Recruitment & Strategic Affiliations at St. George's University School of Medicine, shares his expertise in building and managing…

1
Unlocking International Enrollment: Strategies for Success with Samira Pardanani 22:01

2+ y ago22:01

22:01

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, I’m joined by Samira Pardanani, Associate Vice President of International Education & Global Engagement at Shoreline Community College. Samira shares her journey from being an international student to leading international enrollment efforts. We explore how community colleges, like Shoreline, serve as key p…

1
Global Trends in International Student Enrollment: Insights from MSM’s George Kacenga 38:23

2+ y ago38:23

38:23

What’s shaping the future of international student enrollment? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic Podcast, Gjergj Dollani chats with George Kacenga, VP of University Partnerships for M Square Media (MSM) and MSM Unify, to discuss global trends in higher education recruitment and marketing. Explore insights on: Shifts in international student …

1
Unlocking the Latin American Market: Insights from Global Study Partners with David Arango 23:15

2+ y ago23:15

23:15

How can higher education institutions tap into the diverse and dynamic Latin American market? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic Podcast, Gjergj Dollani sits down with David Arango, Director of Recruitment for Latin America and Europe at Global Study Partners (GSP), to explore the opportunities and challenges of recruiting students from this …

1
Fees vs. Deposits: What Works Best for Higher Ed Enrollment? 12:42

2+ y ago12:42

12:42

What works better for student enrollment: fees or deposits? In this short 12-minute episode of The Enrollment Clinic Podcast, Gjergj Dollani dives into this critical question, sharing his insights and experimental data from an open-enrollment university environment. Discover: The pros and cons of using fees vs. deposits for enrollment. How these st…

1
Mastering SEO in Higher Education: Expert Tips from Granit Doshlaku of Manaferra 27:59

2+ y ago27:59

27:59

How can universities leverage SEO to attract more prospective students? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic Podcast, Gjergj Dollani hosts Granit Doshlaku, Head of Search at Manaferra, a multi-award-winning Search Marketing agency specializing in higher education. Discover actionable insights on: The essentials of Search Marketing for universit…

1
26 - Interview with Jamie and Ryan Getchell of The Nest Family Cafe 1:09:03

2+ y ago1:09:03

1:09:03

I have been thinking about doing this interview for months! Ryan and Jamie are the founders of The Nest Family Cafe in Londonderry, NH. They -- just like me -- started without having any coffee or business experience. After over a year and a half of hard work, they took the leap of faith, left the comforts of corporate behind and dove into this new…

1
From International Student to Admissions Leader: Linh Truong on Effective Marketing and Recruitment Strategies in Higher Ed 16:27

2+ y ago16:27

16:27

What makes international recruitment successful in higher education? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic Podcast, host Gjergj Dollani sits down with Linh Truong, Director of Admissions and Marketing at Bay Atlantic University, to discuss her journey as an international student in the U.S. and how it shapes her approach to recruitment and enrol…

1
25 - Books that helped me through the process 29:29

3y ago29:29

29:29

I have gotten a few emails with listeners asking what books I recommend. I email each person individually, but decided it would be more beneficial if I just record a Bonus episode. I broke the list in 4 categories: Coffee, Strategy, Operations, Mindset. I end it with some thoughts on work-life balance. As always, email me at [email protected] with …

1
22 - Cash, POSes and Scammers 29:00

3y ago29:00

29:00

In this episode, I talk a bit about POSes, but spend a good amount of time talking about various aspects of working with cash and how to protect your business or coffee shop from scammers. I share some issues I ran into and how you can avoid them. Let me know what you think dollani(at)gmail.com. http://www.ristrettotime.com…

1
24 - The last days of Cafe Chocolat 26:54

3+ y ago26:54

26:54

I spent 1.5 years over 23 podcast episodes talking about what we did at Cafe Chocolat and how we did it. Meanwhile the 800 pound gorilla was sitting right next to me staring at me — Cafe Chocolat had been shut down. I wasn’t podcasting about a wildly successful shop, or some chain that I grew and sold off. For all intents and purposes it was a fail…

1
23 - FINAL Episode and Parting Thoughts 21:25

4y ago21:25

21:25

We have come to the end if the “Starting Your Coffee Shop” journey. In this episode I share a personal story of a childhood book/character that I always think of when I run into something that looks hard and scary, and how I use that to dive in the many directions my career has taken me. I also talk about my favorite episodes I have recorded. Ristr…

1
21 - Should you offer FREE Wifi? 21:32

4y ago21:32

21:32

Yes, FREE Wifi is nice, it’s convenient, it’s fun, but it’s not a right. Should you offer it at your coffee shop? Should you not? Let’s discuss! Ristretto Time: Starting and Running Your Coffee Shop by Gjergj Dollani http://ristrettotime.com

1
9 - Where to find money to finance your business 26:27

4y ago26:27

26:27

In this episode I talk about some different ways to find money to support your new business. I share how I did it at Cafe Chocolat.

1
20 - How many cups do I need? (Questions from listeners) 29:24

4y ago29:24

29:24

In this episode I answer some of the questions that although may seem trivial are important and will keep you up at night. How many cups do you need? Should you offer different cappuccino sizes? Should you carry different espresso blends? — http://www.ristrettotime.com twitter: @gjergjdollani

1
19 - Your Customers are not your Friends 26:35

4y ago26:35

26:35

In this Episode I talk about the importance of treating customers like patrons first, and friends second. Just because they’ve been coming to your shop for years, it doesn’t mean you can take liberties with them as you would with old friends. Joking, or providing subpar service can backfire, and you can lose an old, loyal customer in a heartbeat. L…

1
14 - 3 attributes of a great barista 24:21

4y ago24:21

24:21

In this episode I talk about the 3 attributes that make for an outstanding barista. At Cafe Chocolat, I only spent about 5 min interviewing each candidate. I didn’t need more time, because I was not interested in playing scenario games or learning more than was necessary for me to understand if I had a great barista in front of me. Trust me, exquis…

1
11 - Hiring staff, employee types and how to develop them 37:40

4y ago37:40

37:40

In this episode I talk about how to hire the right employees. What to be aware of. I share the hiring process we had at Cafe Chocolat. Also, things you can do to develop your staff. http://www.ristrettotime.com

1
13 - Interview with Alex Escobar of Cervantes Coffee Roasters 41:48

4y ago41:48

41:48

In this episode Alex and I talk about how he started his coffee roastery in his home 10 years ago, and how he grew it to distribute in the entire east coast. We talk about trends in the coffee business, product development, partnerships between roasters and retailers and branding in the coffee business. http://www.ristrettotime.com…

1
18 - How to think about starting a shop the right way 25:30

4y ago25:30

25:30

In this episode, I dissect a call I had recently with someone passionate about starting their own little shop. They were very excited about it, and asked me the right questions, but those were questions they should have attempted to answer themselves first, before getting as far as they had. Let me know your thoughts at dollani-at-gmail-com…

1
17 - Answers to some of your questions 22:35

4y ago22:35

22:35

In this episode, I decided to answer some of the questions I have started to get via email. Some of the questions are about the type of espresso machine, space renting, number of employees you need, etc. http://www.ristrettotime.com

1
Ristretto Shots: The Coffee Shop Success Formula 6:04

4y ago6:04

6:04

Here it is! The most important episode I’ve ever recorded (and probably will ever record). I’m giving out the formula to success or failure, and even highlighting what the best solution is. ...you’re welcome! http://www.ristrettoshots.com

1
16 - Is it the right Location and Space? 38:06

4y ago38:06

38:06

In this episode, I talk about the things that need to be considered when choosing a location for your coffee shop. It is not an exhausting list, but it is a few of the most important details. The last 2 minutes also I think are important to note down. http//www.ristrettotime.com

1
15 - SEO for coffee shops and retail with Granit Doshlaku of Manaferra 32:19

4+ y ago32:19

32:19

My guest, Granit Doshlaku is an expert in Search Engine Optimization. He is a featured speaker in TEDx and various international Search conferences. Granit and I talk about ways coffee shops and small business can capitalize from Google and various platforms to drive business. http://www.ristrettotime.com…

1
10 - Earning PR and getting your shop noticed 37:46

4+ y ago37:46

37:46

In this episode I talk about how to get earned media (being talked about in the news), leveraging Twitter and Instagram go get the word out. Cafe Chocolat made the news as far as Indonesian TV, and your shop can too. I’ll show you how I did it.

1
Ristretto Shots: Read the fine print! READ IT! 4:53

4+ y ago4:53

4:53

Here it is; just read the damn fine print. Don’t let wishful thinking take over rational thinking. No matter how good something sounds, there is a catch. Find out what it is. Don’t be like the people I talk about in this short episode! http://www.ristrettotime.com

1
12 - Running a pirate ship (coffee shop) 20:45

4+ y ago20:45

20:45

As the owner and/or manager of a coffee shop, you are running a pirate ship! And I mean it! You’ll be managing people that are not all necessarily trying to really learn the business and grow with it. In this episode I discuss; should you be loved or feared? http://www.ristrettotime.com

1
8 - Entrepreneur Mindset - Interview with Alban Selami of Shqipful 29:00

4+ y ago29:00

29:00

In this episode we discuss what it takes to have an entrepreneurial mindset. Changing your strategy in a dime. Understanding when to quit. Stoicism. Etc.

1
7 - Choosing the right Coffee Supplier (Part 2) Interview with Travis Vaughn of La Colombe Coffee 41:54

4+ y ago41:54

41:54

We talk about what to look for in Suppliers. The future of coffee consumption and the local Washington DC coffee scene.

1
6 - Choosing Coffee Suppliers with Travis Vaughn of La Colombe (Part 1) 51:18

4+ y ago51:18

51:18

Travis and I talk about choosing suppliers. What to look for. What consumers are looking for in the coffee experience. We also discuss coffee scene in DC.

1
5 - Culture, innovation, product launch & pricing tricks at Cafe Chocolat 39:18

4+ y ago39:18

39:18

Interview with my long-time employees Derek James and Gabriel Falk. A trip down memory lane about what worked and what didn’t work. We also talk about some pricing tricks I played there.

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Gjergj Dollani Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen