MonogramGroup

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

ClearBalance HealthCare works with health systems to offer patients zero-interest financing to pay their out-of-pocket medical costs. I am the SVP of Marketing with oversight for new business lead generation and customer advocacy.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MonogramGroup, and what were your goals?

Our market has become highly commoditized so it was important to reposition/elevate the value proposition to ensure decision-making changed from a price-based criteria to one of strategic need and worth.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found 10 companies via online search and reviews. I conducted phone interviews with all, then whittled down to five for in-depth discussion and presentation. I narrowed the field to three for consideration by my CRO and me.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

Internal interviews to understand the challenges (executive team, key sales leaders). Market research to understand buyer perception of our company and our competition. Deliverables included new brand identity (logo and brand look-and-feel), new business sales presentation, website overhaul, SEO/digital targeting advertising strategy & execution, collateral assets (fact sheet, case study), tradeshow assets (booth design), select video assets.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Project team included Principal, market analyst, graphic design team, copywriter, web development & SEO team, project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

100% satisfaction by internal teams for new assets and message strategy. Greater reliance on the website for lead referral.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Use of several online collaboration tools and Zoom platform to speed sharing and project efficiency. Very down-to-earth, approachable culture.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

My executive leadership and I were especially impressed with the agency's Principal in his understanding and relevant insights to a company of our size and business requirements. I am heavily reliant on our project manager, who has been tremendous at keeping all deliverables on schedule.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Design work is fabulous but also needs to be translated into every day use. For example, the new business PPT presentation was top-notch. However, it wasn't easily replicated as a template for use by our sales team.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of The Saranac Group, a consulting firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?

I’d been away from business for four years, working as a global leader at a big company. I wanted to relaunch the entire practice, but the website was ten years old. Therefore, I needed somebody to come in and advise me on how to optimize the site — I wanted a straightforward website with clear, consistent messages and easy navigation.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially gave MonogramGroup detailed feedback, and they started by looking at the old website and hearing my vision for the new one. We were a very hands-on client; we researched competitor websites and sites within the space to give them the most concrete guidance, and we think they appreciated that.

The team was intellectually nimble. As soon as they had a sense of what we thought would be compelling, they took that ball and ran down the field with it. It was the same with the aesthetic — once we gave them concrete parameters, they took over and had the first iteration ready for review.

We requested some features, but they also suggested others, which was really important for us. MonogramGroup developed their own point of view about what we should include, and in more than 50% of the cases, they were spot on and gave us ideas we wouldn’t have thought of on our own. For example, after they learned what we do, they strongly suggested that the website include case studies. If you look at the venture capital and private equity world, the higher quality websites have case studies.

During development, we took a break for almost two full months because I was tied up with board work, so I wanted to be fair to them and put it on the back burner until I could dive back. If we hadn’t taken a break, the website would’ve been up and running by July.

What is the team composition?

Four people were involved in the project. We worked with Charlotte (Account Executive) and Samantha (Graphic Designer), who ran the technology piece. We also had someone on creative, and they had a junior associate helping at one point.

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

They were referred by a very successful private equity firm that had used them for their website. I initially considered two firms: one on the East Coast and MonogramGroup. I interviewed them both at length, but when I looked at the sites that MonogramGroup had developed before, it was clear that they understood the space of investors. Since I knew that audience would be visiting my website, MonogramGroup had the right touch and tone in all aspects.

On the other hand, MonogramGroup’s pricing was a bit higher, but I decided it was worth it due to the caliber of people I met. Their staffing included a couple of incredible people on the creative side, and the people on the technology side owned the project and kept it moving.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2021, and we rolled the website in September 2021. However, we’re still in touch in case I need anything.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We can’t share metrics, but the reaction from the people who visit the site has been uniformly positive.

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

They did very well. We had virtual meetings, which were always very productive. We’d arrange them according to the phase of the project at whatever cadence it was needed.

For communication, we emailed on an ongoing basis.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Some of the highest value we derived from the engagement was that they understood our competitive terrain and developed their own perspective. They learned quickly about what we did and the vision we had for the new website.

Also, the project was staffed leanly, so it had the right number of people with the ideal expertise and qualifications. Creative firms can put too many people on the project or rotate people in and out, making it more challenging to get to the finish line. However, MonogramGroup had consistent staffing; they all stuck from beginning to end.

It was equally important how careful they were at listening. The team was smart and perceptive, and they demonstrated they’d paid attention when they came back with suggestions.

Nonetheless, they remained flexible if we said we needed to work in a different direction. Sometimes creative folks can get very dogmatic and lock into their idea, but it was nothing like that in this case. They took or feedback and then took it to another level.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Perhaps they could’ve figured out more quickly what we did, but that didn’t slow down the project at all. Any time MonogramGroup has to ramp up on any business, it takes them a while to know what their client does.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

First, I’d ask them to commit to who will be on the project and what role each person would play. Also, I’d want to know whether any or all of the proposed professionals had worked on similar projects, including my industry or something analogous to it, as well as concrete examples to assess the quality of the work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Marketing Manager for a company that manufactures bandsaw blades.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MonogramGroup, and what were your goals?

To create a few different videos for Simmons Knife & Saw's brand and 75th anniversary.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Stumbled across them when looking for marketing agencies that had experience working with manufacturing companies. Their portfolio did a lot of the talking and MonogramGroup backed it up by introducing us to the right folks who were able to help out.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

Started with a kickoff meeting to dive into what each video was about and why it was important that that specific story be told. Then, Adam from ADB put together a production book with a shooting schedule and we all went back and forth until we were happy with the content of the production book and the plan for the two days of shooting.

Shooting went very smoothly. The team made everything easy on us. We had more than a handful of edits for the first few versions of the videos but were overall very happy with how they turned out.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We mostly worked with Adam from ADB when it came to giving feedback on the early versions of the videos. Adam made implemented most the changes we asked for but held firm on some changes that he felt wouldn't make sense or might take away from the video. Overall, the post production process was pretty seamless.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Too early for that just yet.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

MonogramGroup and their video production partner, All Day Breakfast, created three outstanding corporate videos centered around our story, culture and 75th anniversary. Their collaboration, responsiveness, attention to detail and comprehensive production plan resulted in tremendous outcomes and a great working relationship. They exceeded all our expectations and we look forward to producing more great work with them in the future.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Compared to other agencies, they were experienced, talented, and creative individuals. They have helped us greatly.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

We provided some very old marketing collateral/items from Simmons' history to MonogramGroup for the purpose of including them in the videos. All of that content wasn't brought to our location on the two days of shooting, which was disappointing.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President of StaffBot, a software company creating and delivering a suite of products catered for the contingent clinical labor market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MonogramGroup, and what were your goals?

We were launching a new mobile platform, eRiN Health, and engaged Mongram Group for the branding and marketing strategy. Our goal was to reach 1,500 downloads in the first month and with Monogram Group's help, we well surpassed that goal.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Mongoram Group is a solution hub. Some of the firms we reviewed were single-solution while Monogram Group owned the outcome; that meant that they coordinated efforts from every requisite influence to ensure we reached our goal. Branding, digital engagement, advertising and delivery... a holistic solution.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and marking tools used.

We were launching a new mobile platform, eRiN Health, and engaged Mongram Group for the branding and marketing strategy. Our goal was to reach 1,500 downloads in the first month and with Monogram Group's help, we well surpassed that goal. To accomplish this, Mongram navigated the branding process, provided graphic assets and branding guidelines, composed a marketing plan, then executed on that plan.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

From the CEO and relationship managers, Monogram Group brought in whomever was necessary for every conversation and initiative.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Since our engagement, eRiN Health has been downloaded over 1,500 times in only three weeks.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their team is relentless and vigilant about schedules and delivery. Our customer relationship manager stayed on top of us for reviews and approvals, even on weekends.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They truly own the outcome, not a piece of the solution.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

None.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am one of the Partners at our firm

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MonogramGroup, and what were your goals?

Refresh our existing brand, develop new logo and collateral and redesign our website.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We spoke with a number of peer firms and interviewed several competitiors.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

They interviewed numerous stakeholders and spent a significant amount of time learning what makes us unique. From there, they developed a new logo and a full collateral package before building a new word press website form the ground up.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked with 6 people from start to finish. We received a lot of senior attention ranging from the President of the firm to their lead web site builder. We were very impressed with how hands-on the full team remained throughout the life of the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

MonogramGroup collaborated with us to successfully uncover and solidify our brand message. The new visual design system, WordPress website and marketing materials have far exceeded our expectations, elevating our brand to a whole new level. Our firm is now equipped with a best-in-class presentation for sellers, intermediaries and investors, and we are poised to achieve our goals for years to come. We cannot thank MonogramGroup enough!

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We had weekly meetings, BaseCamp to keep us organized and a dedicated account rep to help us prioritize key action items.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We were impressed by how hands-on their team was during the entire process. They also managed the project while staying within their original budget.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

None.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner of a private equity fund that targets industrial family-owned businesses in the Midwest.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?

We needed help with branding, a website, a name, and a logo.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MonogramGroup helped us with development, design, messaging, logo design, and selecting the name of our company. The team also helped with our brand image. We started with a lot of educational diligence where we helped them get to know us and what our goals as a company were.

Next, we moved onto the naming stage to determine a name that would encapsulate our image the best. Afterward, we gave that name a logo. Then, we built a PowerPoint presentation so we can help prospects easily learn what our mission is. Lastly, we created a Squarespace website to communicate our vision.

What is the team composition?

We worked with their founders. There were a number of subordinates that also assisted.

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

I found them online. They’re a branding agency that focuses on a private equity, which is rare. They had a great value pitch, and we decided to move forward from there.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2020, and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

MonogramGroup is excellent at determining what part of your message is most salient to your target audience; they distill that message into digestible words that your audience can easily understand.

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

They did very well. We used Basecamp for project management. We also had regular Zoom calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re able to triangulate the message you’re trying to convey in a way that’s received well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I was pleased with the final product. They were great.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Follow their instructions; they’re the professionals. Listen especially close if they share a strong viewpoint.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Liquid Yacht Wear. We sell uniforms for superyacht crew members.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?

We hired them to revise our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The old website was on a proprietary platform. We hired them to modernize it and give it a new look but also to introduce an e-commerce functionality to it. We didn’t have e-commerce until now. MonogramGroup built the website on WooComerce, utilizing WordPress in the backend.

We had an initial kickoff call to find out more about the scope and work that was needed. They took a look at our current website and some development we had started in order to understand the scope of the work. 

They brought in their technical and development teams then presented a proposal with detailed deliverables, timeframes, and a strict budget. At that point, we eliminated some of the deliverables and made decisions about what’d be done in-house and what they’d handle.

Once we came to an agreement on a work product, we got started. There was a team dedicated to keeping the progress moving forward. We collaborated throughout the process.

What is the team composition?

We had a project manager, web developer, UI designer, general manager, and several QA specialists. There were about 7–8 people working on it.

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

They were referred to us as a company that had done good work and understood the type of work we needed to be done. They understood our constraints in terms of timing and budget. Our team felt that they’d get the work done on time.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $17,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project was from October–December 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

MonogramGroup delivered on time and within budget. The functionality is there and everything on the site works. We were happy with the final product.

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication was excellent, and they were extremely prompt about meeting deadlines. Even when we ran into a couple of snags, they were great at communicating with me on what they were running into. They proposed options to move forward.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They followed through on commitments and kept with it even when challenges arose. Their team put in the work to do the job correctly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be quick to respond to their questions because they work quickly. Giving them the information they need allows them to move the project along.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the president of a boutique consulting firm that is a seasoned CEO that advises fellow CEO's. I have expanded into a business development specialty for manufacturers that supply large national restaurant chains.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MonogramGroup?

I have been expanding and realized that I need to formalize my brand and thus hired MonogramGroup to accomplish that endeavor.

What were your goals for this project?

Generally speaking my goals for this project where to establish a brand which was not formalized. The objective was to base the brand on real direct nonbiased client and channel network leveraging industry research.

Once extensive information was gathered utilize that information to engineer solutions for the needs of my key decision making units. Then compile this research focusing on target objectives and design a fresh creative designer oriented website to reflected the "essence" of my brand.

SOLUTION

How did you select MonogramGroup?

I had interviewed seven companies and standardized the scope of work proposal requests allowing for an objective selection process.

The pool of talent was very impressive and competent however MonogramGroup was able to inch out their completion by delivering a great fit and chemistry which exuded from a hands on seasoned approach.

They also worked much harder to earn the business and hindsight illustrated it was a reflection of their unwavering commitment to amazing customer client service. They wanted a long term relationship not just a project victory.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Market research including a basic competitive audit and up to 12 external interviews as basis for a deliverable Brand Brief to be utilized for:

• Tagline / Elevator pitch Creation
• Graphic Identity Creation with Logo replacement o Crossroads Story Do a complete “straight forward” Web Design
• Comprising of 4-6 pages
• Web Development
• Original Photography o Content Development/Copywriting o Utilizing something like Squarespace With Options
• Digital Advertising – primarily LinkedIn o Search Engine Optimization o Order Form Design o PowerPoint o Email Template o Brand Book o Video production

What was the team composition?

I worked directly with the founder on major issues, touched base with other partners on specific project elements and then dealt with an extremely competent liaison / project manager in addition to various project specialists along the way.

MonogramGroup also connected me with outsourced resources they recommended which worked outstandingly well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The metrics that illustrate the value and impact of the initiative markedly expanded my brand awareness and generated noticeable traceable traffic with particular note of increased LinkedIn connections. The results frankly exceeded expectations.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

MonogramGroup performed like a swiss watch from a project management standpoint. They communicated regularly and clearly scheduled meetings with feedback at lightning speed.

Managing expectations was very easy since everything was clearly communicated and followed through on. MonogramGroup responded to all feedback by diligently working to satisfy the significant demands of the project.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was most impressed by MonogramGroups professionalism, follow-through, thoroughness and delivering results beyond expectations.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Have no suggestions for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I manage the sourcing and business development unit of a global Private Equity firm headquartered in Wellesley, MA.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MonogramGroup?

We hired MonogramGroup to help us create sales/marketing collateral as well as help us enhance some digital assets on our website.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to create sales/marketing collateral that we could use during presentations, at conferences, etc.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

MonogramGroup was selected before I came to the firm but I am very happy they are apart of my team.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They help us maintain our company one-pager as well as help maintain certain aspects of our website.

What was the team composition?

I have worked mainly with the principles of the firm but their whole team appears to be very competent and responsive.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We get a lot of compliments on the quality of our one-pager. It is a great tool to use to engage with new prospective partners.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Working with the MonogramGroup is effortless. They are very responsive and always get the job done. I have complete confidence in their ability to carry out any project that needs to be done.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their ability to quickly and efficiently manage a project from start to finish sets them apart.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. We are very satisfied with their work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was hired by Surface Prep to handle CMO work. While I work for a fractional CMO provider, I was representing Surface Prep in this project with MonogramGroup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MonogramGroup?

This was a pretty large project. After growing through an acquisition, we needed to rebrand and determine a brand architecture that covered 10 of their companies.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Several of the companies involved maintained their identities, but all received new brand identities and labeled themselves as a Surface Prep company. In total, there were five logos built in the project. They used colors and brand identity elements together to determine our new look and feel.

I worked for Surface Prep to manage MonogramGroup’s work on the project. Because the effort was large and complex, I served as a marketing resource. At this point, all of the assets and products have been rolled out, so my portion of the project has been completed. They may choose to continue to work with MonogramGroup on other projects in the future. 

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Michael (Copywriter, MonogramGroup) and Scott (President, MonogramGroup) on the work. 

How did you come to work with MonogramGroup?

Surface Prep decided that they were going to need additional help to brand their businesses correctly. Once they decided that they were going to need brand architecture, web work, and new assets, they brought their team and me on board to make it happen.

How much have you invested with them?

They invested approximately $130,000 in MonogramGroup’s services. There was additional third-party work that was completed as well, so the grand total was closer to $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from July–December 2019.   

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s too early to put anything into metrics, but this will have a huge impact on their business. Essentially they were 15 disparate companies that are now ten, interrelated by branding architecture. They have one shared website. The private equity company wanted to do this to increase their multiple by a significant amount. 

It was a complicated project with moving parts that were lacking a willing audience. They did a great job keeping the project on track, completing all of their work in just a few months. Their team stayed on time and on budget, despite changes in scope. For instance, they were expecting a 100-page website. However, it came out to be about 200 pages. They provided outstanding work. 

How did MonogramGroup perform from a project management standpoint?

We were only able to stay on time and on budget because of their excellent project management skills. My role within this project was to ensure that they got the information they needed to perform well. The project was so fast-moving, so responsiveness was key. We used Basecamp, Google Docs, email, and phone calls. Our client preferred to keep communication old-fashioned, and they were willing to do that. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their vision and creativity really distinguish them from others. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Because we had so many web tasks, I’d consider moving Basecamp to Monday. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re creative visionaries, and their work is high-caliber. Sometimes, the client isn’t ready to take creative suggestions. We were able to navigate through that issue. However, it’s important to judge the client’s receptivity for some of the creative concepts. For us, that mostly pertained to the video.