BUSINESS SERVICES
CONSULTING / COACHING
Do you have a communications plan… or know why you need one? What about issues management or stakeholder engagement strategies? We get it… you’re busy! But research shows that organizational success is a direct reflection of the calibre of both internal and external communications.
With more than 25 years of experience, we can help you develop and implement innovative, meaningful, and productive communications plans and processes that will improve morale, productivity, and profitability.
Communications Audits / Plans
You know what they say about failing to plan! We can help with communications and/or marketing audits, brand and/or key message reviews, and strategic and tactical plans that optimize your human, financial, and technological resources. We’ll also incorporate activities and schedules for ongoing plan evaluation and refinement.
Risk Communication
It’s to be expected. Your investors, staff, suppliers, distributors, and customers have the right to be informed about changes and events that affect their health, safety, and/or the environment. Our 7-step planning process identifies, customizes, and integrates audience-specific tactics and tools for ongoing risk communication, and helps build capacity for potential emergencies.
Issues Management
It’s not a question of “if!” Whether you’re stickhandling an environmental crisis, or defending an unpopular administrative decision, we can help create and manage formal and informal responses to questions and comments from internal and external audiences.
Focus Groups / Workshops
It’s all in the design. There are as many types of focus groups and workshops as there are corporate objectives, challenges, or opportunities. The common thread is the need for a safe and comfortable environment that supports creativity, communication, and collaboration. We’ll work with you to host an event that informs and inspires collective learning and solutions NOW.
RESEARCH / SURVEYS
Want to know better so you can do better? Whatever your research needs, we can help when you don’t know where to look, or simply don’t have the time. Using a variety of proven qualitative and quantitative tools, we can help you explore specific challenges and opportunities, or pinpoint client, competitor, or constituent wants and needs.
Topic / Product Research
Information is the muscle that powers growth. But how can you flex those muscles when you don’t have time, or when it seems your industry is changing exponentially and you can't keep up? We not only know where to look… but we’re also research geeks! We love the challenge of finding timely and relevant information that will guide decision-making and, therefore, contribute to your success.
Stakeholder Research
Many heads are better than one! Your stakeholders could include legislators, investors, engineers, manufacturers, sales and marketing staff, distributors, and customers. Every one of those groups has ideas about how to improve your product or service, if you know what questions to ask. We combine natural curiosity with proven research tactics and tools to help you pick the right brains.
Satisfaction Surveys
Afraid to ask? The reality is, you can’t afford not to. Organizations that elicit regular customer feedback can respond quickly to changing trends, technologies, and expectations. We’ll help you craft thoughtful questions for specific target audiences, and then disseminate them through channels that maximize response potential.
WRITING / PRESENTATIONS
Can’t find the “write” words? Whatever you need―captivating ad copy, user-friendly technical writing, or an inspiring presentation―we’re up for it! After working with you to determine your target audience, preferred medium, and expected outcome, we’ll craft a compelling message guaranteed to get the response you’re looking for.
Branding & Key Messages
A brand icon with sizzle leaves its mark. But only if the complementary slogan and key messages are equally hot! In reality, though, very few organizations refocus and refine their messaging to mirror ongoing corporate changes. We’ll help you review your branding and messaging, and then update them to reflect communication best practices and emerging trends.Corporate Communication Tools
Can’t find your way with words? New and existing businesses require a range of communications tools to inform and inspire current and potential clients. We have extensive experience in creating brochures, fact sheets, newsletters, manuals, annual reports, videos, presentations, speeches, proposals, and grants. Technical writing is also a specialty.Web Content
Oh, what a tangled web we weave! You may have the snazziest website in your industry, but if the text isn’t clear, concise, and compelling, people won’t take action or visit it more than once. Once we know the story you want to tell, and how it can best support your brand, we’ll deliver simple yet powerful web content, blogs, and eBooks.Media / Social Media / Marketing Messages
The medium really is the message! That’s why writing styles vary, depending on how you intend to deliver your information. News releases, public service announcements, and editorials must be timely and punchy. Facebook posts must be socially and technologically appropriate. Magazine and newspaper articles must be interesting and thought-provoking. And ad copy must stand out in the sea of competing promotional messages. We’ve done it all, for clients from all sectors.
EDITING / PROOFING / FACT CHECKING
Need a second pair of eyes? Whether you’re agonizing over a blog post, a million-dollar proposal, or an AGM speech, we’re always ready to help with track changes or a sharp red pencil! Once we know your target audience and reason for reaching out, we’ll focus on style, grammar, punctuation, accuracy, formatting, and/or proofing for print or digital use.
Communication / Marketing Tools
A comma or a semi-colon? A new paragraph or not? These are questions you likely don’t have the time or inclination to answer. We actually like editing, and take great pride in making your copy meaningful and memorable. We’ll take your newsletter, business plan, web content, proposal, blog―or anything else with words―and make it clear, concise, and compelling.
Non-Fiction Books / EBooks
Is good enough really good enough? Whether you’re a first-timer who needs extensive structural and editorial guidance, or a proven author who needs only proofreading, we can help with all your professional book editing needs. One of our editing clients says we improved both of his books by 50 percent!
DESIGN / PHOTOGRAPY / VIDEOS
Want to look your corporate best? Whether you need sales materials, a sign for your trade show booth, or a total identity makeover, we’ll help you align your image, values, and mission. First, we’ll research leaders within your industry to identify emerging design trends. Then we’ll combine proven design principles with powerful messaging to guarantee a provocative yet professional impression both in print and online.