Three integrated offerings

For communications to deliver real results, the dots need to be connected: strategic goals, opportunities, and brand touchpoints across channels and media need to connect to specific communication initiatives, departments, processes, and of course, to the people and organizations whose interest and participation are important to your success. Not connecting the dots is likely to cost you more, take more time, and not deliver the results you expect or desire.

Our range of services has evolved from many years of working with clients across thousands of projects, and from an understanding of how organizations are often not well-served by communication consultants:

Visual iteration all too often precedes strategy; communication challenges are reduced to "graphic design assignments"—the big picture gets lost, and you and your constituents aren't well served;
Equally often, organizations commission strategy but are left without practical solutions; strategy is never connected to effective implementation; it sits on a shelf;
Organizations commission a brochure from consultant X, a website from provider Y, and an e-newsletter from, well, Z—and wonder why their presence in the landscape is less than coherent;
And, in far too many instances, organizations are not given the thinking and tools to keep a brand system or communications initiative coherent and healthy—they aren't able to "own" their system.

That said, we offer three integrated services—to connect the dots, generate desired results, and ensure that money spent is an investment that delivers returns:

Research and strategic consulting

While we certainly produce tangible products—branding systems, websites, marketing collateral, message platforms, for example—we are often first engaged to evolve the communication strategies that determine what is needed—when, presented how, and in what media. We develop strategies that inform the relationships of brands, sub-brands, and programs; we develop the conceptual underpinnings of brand development that, ultimately, inform creative development and design. Without strategic thinking, a new website or brochure might look good, but might also fall short of its practical objectives.

Forming a strategy involves looking both inward and outward. Inward to articulate your goals, vision, value, values, personality, differentiators, and brand story—and to understand how and what you're currently communicating. Outward to understand the competitive landscape, your position in it, misconceptions, and the expectations, information needs, and values of the different groups whom you need to engage.

Through qualitative and quantitative research and audits—combined with our experience—we develop a coherent and compelling platform for building or invigorating a brand—or for a more specific, brand-focused imitative. We evolve the value propositions, main messages, and strategies that will build resonance and relationships. We collaborate to define a program that maps your needs, opportunities, schedules, and resources—to results. Writing this program collaboratively gets your key people involved in the process, provides a framework for decision-making and discussion, and raises a project above the level of personal likes and dislikes…to what works.

Design, writing, and production of brand-focused strategic communications

Sometimes, what is called for is a discrete project: a capabilities overview, website, or framework of messages, for example. We can manage any and all aspects of a project (from concept through delivery, writing through image creation, depending on your needs and in-house resources) to see that your tactical investment leverages—and strengthens—your brand assets.

Other times, what's needed is an entire system: from a new name and identity to a comprehensive program for branded communications—a system that informs and connects all print, digital, environmental, and interpersonal communications. Often, a systems approach returns the best long-term results…results that will far outlast our involvement. We can work with you to put in place a communications plan and an architecture of materials, and to evolve focused approaches to language and visual design that serve as "glue" or building blocks to inform—and build coherency across—all communication materials.

But at every level of engagement, we ensure that each piece—whether discrete or part of a larger system—not only fulfills its own programmatic goal, but also reinforces your competitive position and works hard to strengthen your brand. Rarely are there enough opportunities (or enough money) to act otherwise.

Making the best use of technology

Thoughtful and innovative use of technology plays a central role in every successful communications system. But effective use of technology means more than having the latest website widget; it means integrating your web presence with social media channels; your media assets with your public affairs strategy; having a content management system and database that's easy to maintain—and allows you to quickly anticipate and respond. Even what you commit to print and deliver by hand or post can benefit by understanding when to offset print, when to print-on-demand.

And innovative technology can help you to take ownership of your communications system: templates and tools in appropriate software can enable all who communicate on your behalf to create communications that get business done and advance your brand; technology can help build an informed corps of ambassadors; a small brand extranet can engage your entire organization in brand-building.

We develop and use technology to create communication pieces and programs that are manageable, cost-effective, and that reach their constituents where they live—at the right time, in the right place, at the right cost, with the right message.

Through the integration of strategy, design, and technology, organizations of different sizes and stripes are well served: communications work hard to perform their tactical jobs and build brand; money spent actually is an investment; staff, boards, and volunteers have the thinking, tools, and training to communicate effectively, forge and strengthen relationships, and advance your enterprise.