InsideOut Consulting

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for Cheshire Ireland. We provide support to people with physical and neurological disabilities, mainly residential support for those people to live the life of their own choosing. I’m the head of learning and development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with InsideOut Consulting?

Our goal was to update our very old website, which wasn’t modern or attractive.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started off by developing a new logo and stationery and then transitioned into the website. Our old logo was dull and not fit-for-purpose, so they listened to what we were about, what our vision and values were, and what our ethos was. We’re a healthcare organization and a nonprofit, so we have a unique feel.

After they delivered suggestions on the logo, we put out a survey to our whole organization and then agreed on the direction we wanted to go in. They also presented their thinking to our senior management and executive teams to help them understand how we reached our final product.

We went through a similar process for the website: they learned what we needed and then provided the technical knowledge. None of us knew what made a website modern or engaging.

What is the team composition?

We worked with three people. The owner engaged with us throughout all the meetings, and then there were two people with design backgrounds. There was also a fourth person in the beginning, but they left InsideOut by the time we finished. There were no issues transitioning another resource into that role.

How did you come to work with InsideOut Consulting?

Someone within our organization had done a bit of work with them in the past. We also shopped around; there’s a procurement process we have to go through as a publicly-funded organization. There were three organizations in the tender process, and InsideOut heard what we were looking for the best. It takes a certain skill to make a page readable and engaging, and InsideOut stood out the most in terms of that. It also so happened that they were based across the road from us; it didn’t make much difference since COVID has us working from home now, but it allowed some meetings in the beginning.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2019 until December 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Their quality is of the highest standard. If anything wasn’t the way we wanted, they came back with other options. Both sides worked closely together. Each meeting we had raised the quality of what we had. I’d be comfortable giving them a nine, or maybe even a ten out of ten. The feedback has been consistently positive, both internally and externally.

How did InsideOut Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

We set up a timeframe at the beginning, and even though COVID knocked it out the window it let us continue to track the steps and know where we were throughout the project. They were on-time with everything. We set timelines, and they always met them. The goal was to have the site by a conference in December and they got it done.

They were totally accommodating when COVID kicked in. As a healthcare organization, we had to make sure our people were safe, but InsideOut worked with our changing schedules and we got there in the end.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to listen stands out, but beyond that, I was impressed by their ability to hear what we wanted, even if we weren’t quite sure ourselves. They read between the lines and came back with suggestions. They’re very skilled at this.

I found them incredibly respectful and ethical, both personally and professionally. They were always concerned with getting the job right and making sure we were happy. It was a pleasure to work with them, one I’d repeat without a thought.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I really don’t think so. They went at our pace and did more than we asked. Availability was never a concern, nor was responsiveness. I’m running through anything I could have complaints about but I can’t find any.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I think it’s important to have set up one or two meetings at the beginning to get to know each other. If you’re trying to tap into the essence of your organization, then this will help.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of communications and public affairs for Irish Wind Energy Association. We’re a trade association and we represent the wind energy industry in Ireland. I’m responsible for communications meetings, media, digital communications, branding, and things alike.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with InsideOut Consulting?

We were looking for a supplier to come in and do a rebrand for us. There has also been a move of companies getting away from being called associations so we wanted to be consistent with that.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The collaboration started out with a number of meetings with our core staff and members. Then they started putting together designs, templates, and a new name. It was a collaborative process with a number of suggestions of what we do like and don’t like, but also making sure we’re in line with what’s available out there.

What is the team composition?

We worked with three people including an account manager and two designers.

How did you come to work with InsideOut Consulting?

About two years ago, we needed someone on short notice to design a public information advocacy billboard campaign. We have an existing PR adviser company and we contacted them for any suggestions. They recommended InsideOut Consulting and said they had a very positive experience. So, when it came time for this project, it was a no-brainer.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested between $20,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April 2019–December 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

I think their work is excellent and that they turn it around very quickly as well which is something important to us. The designs they produced were really good and we’re very happy with them. It’s probably one of the best service provider relationships I’ve ever had.

How did InsideOut Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

I think they’re a very good group of people to work with. They’re good communicators and service providers. When they had meetings with our staff, they made a point of ensuring that everyone’s input was being taken on board and valued. If there was a delay, which there rarely was, they let you know why and address it. 

They were really good at dealing with the accounts, financing, and billing. We had a couple of delays over the course of our relationship, from our end, and they were very good in resolving them and very supportive in fixing them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In jobs like this, I can’t overstate the importance of effective individuals. I think systems and programs are really important, but I also think good people are important and they are individually and collectively good people. They’re very understanding of challenges and the need to assist us in what we do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very clear at the beginning of the project about what you want and what success looks like to you. When you’re working with good people, you get the best out of them if you ensure that they’re focused on what you want to achieve. So have a very good design brief with them in the beginning and be willing to sit down and have a conversation with them about the process of pushing that design brief together. If you don’t have a clear design brief, don’t be afraid to say to them that you don’t and want to work together to come up with one.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Even Keel is an independent and confidential Private Investment and Family Office. Our talented team oversees a complex portfolio of assets and estates and manages our families’ lifestyles in a flexible and efficient manner. Our extensive international networks allow us to source and execute exclusive off-market transactions for our principals and co-investors. My role is lifestyle manager within Even Keel.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with InsideOut Consulting?

Family offices are investing more and more in sustainability and impact. We have invested in a project that converts household plastics to oil and we required the services of Dolores (Managing Director) and her team to create an information memorandum deck outlining the project. As it is extremely technical I believed it would be a challenge to capture the essence of what we were trying to achieve.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Dolores and her team had full direction over the deck. We supplied the information but gave InsideOut Consulting full scope with design.

What is the team composition?

I liaised directly with Dolores on behalf of Even Keel FO and Dolores with Tanja (Creative Director) and Susan (Marketing Director). It was extremely efficient.

How did you come to work with InsideOut Consulting?

We received a professional recommendation from a connection that works with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than €10,000 (approximately $12,000 USD) which was excellent value for money. There was never a question of 'too many edits' or 'we have passed the agreed date' which I have encountered previously.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement was carried out in Summer 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We were extremely happy with the creative finish of the deck. It holds the right balance of text versus graphic and the key messages stand out without needing to be found. It is concise and accurately presents our vision whilst fully supporting the technical detail required.

How did InsideOut Consulting perform from a project management standpoint?

Timelines were met efficiently and InsideOut Consulting operates a much faster turnaround time than I had previously encountered. This project ran in the midst of the pandemic, where everyone was working from home with additional challenges.  Dolores is a fantastic listener and her attention to detail is impressive. We made a significant number of changes as the deck developed, it was never an issue. The team is very adaptable and tenacious in getting it right every time for the client.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Dolores brings a level of personal interest to her projects. She makes you as the client feel your project is front and center and everything you want can and will be achieved. There is no hesitation when changes are made. It is very clear that they work incredibly well as a team and the result is that your vision is presented back to you even better than you could ever have expected. It is a skill.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t think there is anything that they can do better.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Take the time to talk with Dolores giving her as much detail about your vision. Don't just focus on the written word, tell her how you want your project to feel not just how you want it to look. That is where InsideOut Consulting is different.