STRATEGIC PLAYBOOK FOR
GROWTH IN LATIN AMERICA
A playbook designed for universities, vocational training centers, and business schools seeking to expand across Latin America strategically and realistically. Based on firsthand experiences, real case studies, and what truly works in today’s market.
- Experience-based insights
- Download the only playbook grounded in real outcomes
THIS PLAYBOOK IS DESIGNED FOR
Educational institutions with a global vision aiming to expand their presence, diversify recruitment, and strengthen their positioning in one of the most dynamic educational markets: Latin America.
It draws on real experiences, practical insights, and tested best practices to help you transform opportunities into actionable strategy.

UNIVERSITIES

BUSINESS SCHOOLS

Vocational Training Centers

DESIGN SCHOOLS

Language Institutes
WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE
This is not a generic manual. It’s a strategic tool built to establish the foundations for a successful expansion, diversification, and positioning project.
It reflects over 15 years of operational and strategic know-how supporting European institutions entering Latin America. Inside, you’ll discover:
- Key principles for designing a successful market entry
- A comprehensive overview of the current LATAM education landscape
- Emerging trends to boost entry and performance
- Common challenges faced during internationalization
- Effective, proven strategies for the region
VIBRANT, EXPANDING MARKET
Whether you’re exploring the idea of expanding, have tried without success, or are just starting to evaluate, now is the right time to act.
Latin America’s strong demand for education and openness to new offerings make it one of the most promising regions for institutional growth.
Key questions institutions are asking today:
- What’s the real potential of this market?
- Is now the right time to enter?
- Can expansion be profitable?
- Can we launch a pilot to test the waters?
- Where should we begin?
WE ARE YOUR STRATEGIC PARTNER IN LATIN AMERICA
We work with institutions from Spain, Italy, and France, deeply understanding their priorities, operational frameworks, regulatory contexts, and organizational challenges. This allows us to speak the same language and act as a true ally in their expansion process.
With over 15 years of experience, we know the regional terrain, student profiles, and market dynamics. We combine strategy, technology, and on-the-ground partnerships to deliver measurable and sustainable results.
We even provide local sales management to extend your reach and adapt your offerings to each country’s context.
Strategic Planning & Positioning
We define and implement the right strategies, aligning resources and timelines to your institution’s goals.
Operational Setup & Execution
Our expert team configures and implements the tools and campaigns needed to meet your growth goals.
Measurement & Performance Tracking
We define key metrics, build dashboards, and apply analytical models that drive informed decision-making.
Marketing-Sales Alignment
We bridge the gap between marketing and sales teams to ensure every lead turns into real impact.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What kind of services do you offer exactly?
We offer comprehensive consulting for educational expansion: brand strategy and local positioning, digital marketing specialized in education, development of local partnerships (agreements, academic partners), and support in commercial, technological, and operational areas.
Can you help us even if we don’t have a presence in Latin America yet?
Yes. In fact, many of our clients start from scratch. We assist with everything from market validation to campaign execution and the physical or digital launch of the center.
If we already have our own agency, can we work with CISD?
Absolutely! Our main mission is to advise and support. If you already work with an internal or external agency, we can align and collaborate. We are 100% transparent in our processes and focused on achieving results.
What is the approximate investment for an expansion project?
The investment varies depending on the depth of the project. We offer modular and scalable solutions tailored to each institution. During an initial call, we can help you estimate the most appropriate investment based on your goals.
What if we already tried to enter the Latin American market and it didn’t work?
This is very common. Many attempts fail due to a lack of understanding of the market, poor strategy adaptation, or partners unfamiliar with the sector. We analyze your previous experience, identify the mistakes, and propose a new path with higher chances of success.
Do you offer local support in each country?
We have physical presence in Colombia and Mexico. Additionally, we rely on a network of local experts and strategic partners in Argentina and Peru, allowing for agile, culturally adapted, and aligned execution.
What sets you apart from other consultancies or marketing agencies?
We specialize exclusively in the education sector and the Latin American market. Our approach combines knowledge, strategy, and local execution, backed by over a decade of proven experience.
…
How can we start working with you?
Very easily: we schedule a call, assess your current situation, objectives, and next steps—no commitment required. From there, we create a modular proposal.
What results have you achieved with clients like us?
We’ve helped institutions triple their leads in the first year, increase revenue by up to 30% in two years, launch new educational brands from scratch, and successfully open operations in key markets like Mexico, Colombia, and Peru. We can share relevant case studies during a call.
Can you help us set up local or regional sales teams?
Yes. We can assist in recruiting, training, and coordinating sales teams in key countries, either with your own personnel or through strategic partners. We also work with commercial representation or outsourcing models, if preferred.
What is the average timeframe to see results?
Depending on the type of project, results are typically seen within 3 to 6 months. For expansions starting from scratch, the full process may take 6 to 12 months, also depending on the starting month.
What are the best times of the year to launch campaigns in Latin America?
Timing varies by country, but there are generally two main enrollment periods: January to March (start of academic year) and July to September (second intake or modular cycles). We develop a plan adapted to the local calendar.
Which marketing channels work best in Latin America?
Educational marketing in Latin America has its nuances. We run multichannel campaigns combining social media (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn), search engines, email marketing, and strategic partnerships, always tailored to each country and budget.
Can you help us establish agreements with local universities or centers?
Yes. We manage institutional partnerships, from dual-degree agreements to academic and commercial collaboration agreements. These are key to building trust in new markets.
How do you measure the success of a project or campaign?
We define clear KPIs from the beginning: lead volume and quality, cost per acquisition, brand positioning growth, conversions, etc. We deliver regular reports with analysis and recommendations.
What platforms or tools do you use to execute campaigns and projects?
We use leading tools in the sector: Meta Ads, Google Ads, Monday. We also have experience with systems like ZOHO, Salesforce, SendPulse, Kommo, among others. We can also adapt to your internal platforms if you already have a defined infrastructure.
Do you provide training for our internal teams?
Yes. We train marketing, sales, and academic teams on Latin American student behavior, recruitment processes, lead tracking, and other key areas.
What cultural barriers should we consider when expanding to Latin America?
Each country has important cultural nuances—from communication styles to student expectations and decision-making processes. We share this knowledge to help your brand adapt and set realistic expectations.
What are the main differences between European and Latin American students?
There are differences in search habits, decision criteria, timelines, academic expectations, and payment capacity. We develop clear target profiles so your value proposition resonates in each country.
What regulations must we comply with to offer programs in Latin America?
Each country has its own education laws. We help identify the key regulatory requirements and, if necessary, connect you with legal advisors or specialized local partners.
Is it necessary to open a physical location in Latin America to operate?
Not necessarily. Many of our clients start with a 100% digital strategy. We help assess the best market entry model based on your operational capacity and objectives.
What if the selected country doesn’t yield good results? Can you pivot the strategy?
Of course. We work with an agile and measurable approach. If data shows low traction in a particular country, we propose alternatives and adjust the strategy to redirect investment toward more profitable markets.
How do you coordinate schedules with European institutions?
We adapt to European time zones for strategic meetings. Our distributed teams allow for flexible coverage and smooth communication.
How quickly can you start collaborating with our institution?
We can start within a few days. After an initial meeting, we send a detailed proposal. Once approved, we begin onboarding, align goals, and launch the plan.
What is the onboarding process like once we decide to move forward?
We schedule kickoff meetings, align teams, define KPIs, and set up the operational infrastructure (communication, tools, calendar). The process takes around 1 to 2 weeks.
Can you maintain communication with both our European and Latin American teams?
Yes. Our team is experienced in working with European institutions. We coordinate with both central and regional offices to ensure continuous strategic and operational alignment.
DOWNLOAD THE PLAYBOOK NOW
This playbook is the first step toward launching a successful expansion project.
We understand the potential of Latin America and know how to channel efforts to achieve real, measurable, and sustainable results.
Download it now and discover how we can support your institution in entering the region.