Usman Group

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of core services at a real estate consulting company. We’re an owners’ representative in the real estate industry, so we often work with real estate developers, nonprofits, and large corporations to help them develop large capital projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

Naveed (Founder) and Usman Group had created our website that's currently up and running, which I was really impressed by.

We turned to them again to help develop a dashboard tool for our client services. We wanted the tool to serve as a one-stop-shop for clients to be able to see the health of their projects and how their portfolio is doing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Usman not only helped with programming but also the look and feel, the design, the layout, and what offerings we would have on the dashboard. They worked on usability, graphic UI, flow, and how the tool actually worked.

I don’t know the specific technologies they used to build the dashboard, and from my perspective, that’s a good thing, because they worked seamlessly to me. They created an interactive prototype that placed a mockup of the tool on a website.

What is the team composition?

I only worked with two people from their team. Naveed was our main contact, and he managed the process. 

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

I don’t know what the original connection was. I was recommended to them by our marketing department, and I was initially concerned because I’m in San Diego and they’re in Chicago. This was pre-COVID, so we weren’t quite as adept at doing video conferencing. However, I was told that they were great communicators. I didn’t have any problems with how they managed the project.

How much have you invested with them?

I believe it was $15,000 for the dashboard, and then we did some additional programming after that for $10,000. The website cost more.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our work together began in November 2018, and it ended around June 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The biggest advantage they brought was that, being a technical company, they understood what was possible, but then they spoke in a language that was understandable to a non-technical person. 

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They did well with project management; if anything, they had to nudge us along, because I was pretty busy at the time with my primary role. They did a good job of tactfully nudging me to meet our milestones, which is an art form. They didn’t come across as pushy, but at the same time, they moved things along. I was glad to have internal deadlines, regularly scheduled meetings, and reminders. As far as managing a client, that was really helpful. Then, as far as managing down, it was pretty seamless. They worked with another company for programming services. I was involved in a couple of technical sessions with them when they had specific questions, but I mostly didn’t have to interface with them. Usman was able to speak the same language and manage them, so I didn’t need to be involved in the nitty-gritty.

They used Basecamp to manage the project. They also used another tool — UserTesting.com — to display the interactive prototype that they created. Even though it was just a mockup, it looked really sharp. At the time, I actually thought it was the final product, but they said they were going to enhance it further.

I liked the way that they were able to communicate and interpret our requirements. I gave them a full spec with all of the things that I wanted to do, but they did the layouts themselves. They were able to extract from us what we needed and put it into a nice-looking format. From there, I’d mark things up and they’d quickly make the changes. It was a good, collaborative flow.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their communication style set them apart. They were able to work in a technical realm but speak to us in a familiar and comfortable way. I’m sure there was a lot in the background that needed to be dealt with as well as certain limitations, but they didn’t throw a bunch of jargon at us. We could always understand them, and when there were limitations, they were upfront about them. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

If they could provide those programming services in-house that they brought the other company on for, that might be an enhancement. I didn’t have any problem with it, per se, but it might’ve been more streamlined from their perspective to have the services in-house. However, since we’ve worked with them, they’ve expanded their services, so they might've already brought them in-house.

Any advice for potential customers?

Be prepared, because they’re able to move quickly. It’s easy for you as the client to actually be the bottleneck in the process. They were not only prepared for deadlines but often chomping at the bit to get necessary internal decisions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

My company’s Michelle's Interiors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

I wanted a website that functioned well and engaged users. I needed the website to represent my company's level of design. My ultimate goal for the website was to show how we work as a team and how we make it so that the client doesn’t lift a finger.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Usman Group built a custom website using WordPress. We started with an inspiration and collaborated to come up with the concept for what the website would look like. They built the platform to support different end-users, which includes architects, builders, landscapers, and clients. There’s a section of the website that features sustainability, which I’ve recently gotten into.

What is the team composition?

I had a main point of contact. I also worked with two designers. There was another person who built the website.

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

I met Naveed (Principal & CEO) through another business partner. I’ve worked with Naveed for over 12 years. He built two other custom websites for me.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $20,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began this project in February 2020 and it's in the homestretch. The website will go live either this week or the next.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I can already tell that the website’s phenomenal. Many websites look like a template that people altered to work for them, which is fine. As I’m in the creative design world, I wanted my website to represent my work. I’m not cookie-cutter; I’m not trendy. I wanted to show a timeless, holistic design approach, which the website does. It’s easy to get through the site too.

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They use Basecamp where we see all of the team’s communications. We check off assignments, so there are deadlines and accountability. When we need a group meeting, we have meetings and discuss whatever’s needed to keep the project moving. Their team’s on top of the project. I like their process and timeline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Usman Group has dedicated team members who are experts in their areas. The person who codes doesn’t create content because those are different specialties. But then, they all talk together so the end result flows well. I like their creativity too.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’m happy with them. You pay a premium price, but you pay it for a reason. They’re premium; I’m premium and want to get to a premium client.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’s a time commitment to build a website. For an agency to design and develop a website, you have to give them the needed information. It’s great to create a folder of images. You might have to spend a day or two researching visuals that speak to you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former VP of marketing & strategy at a healthcare company. We were primarily a management service company that managed nationwide vascular access centers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

While we’re part of the same network, each vascular access center had its own unique brand. The initial challenge was discovering how to take a multitude of brands and put them under one umbrella.

We also wanted to make it easier for patients and referral sources to know where we were to be able to get to us. Even as they started to engage with us online, we wanted them to understand the scope of services we provided. We wanted an image of being an innovative, cutting-edge company, so we needed an updated website. We wanted the site to send the message that we were easy to work with because of the resources we offered.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The team at Usman Group redesigned the website, focusing on building a new customer-facing frontend. Because we wanted to bring a number of centers underneath one umbrella, we had to find different features to implement.

One feature allowed users to input their zip code and find the closest center to them. They get a map of the US that shows all of the centers within that range. Each center has information placed on the site as well. Then we had legends that gave users a sense of the scope of services. The team also found ways to implement search functionality and video content.

Since we had all of these brands, we also wanted an intranet site where users could go into a password-protected area and receive information that would help serve their patients. The information could also help with engaging their own markets. We also had a feature regarding business opportunities where users could engage to either develop a center or receive management services.

What is the team composition?

Naveed (Principal & CEO, Usman Group) was the key point person. My director of marketing, marketing designer, and analyst dealt with their program project managers and designers.

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

I believe in working with networks and referrals from professionals I’ve worked with that I know deliver a high level of quality, have a great sense of integrity, and are forward-looking. I told my network that I was struggling to find an innovative and flexible design house that was affordable. They recommended Usman Group.

Since we’re part of a large Fortune 500 company, we had resources to tap into. Looking across the board, we realized that Usman Group was the right group for us to work with.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested between $60,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Usman Group from 2010–2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We valued Usman Group’s innovation. They found functionalities that helped aggregate the brands, making it easy to find their location and scope of services. Through their nice and elegant development work, we still use the building blocks they gave us. The website still looks fresh.

The team at Usman Group presented themselves with a high level of integrity. They strive to solve problems while remaining transparent. Their team also suggested multiple ways and solutions. I liked what they brought to the table, keeping all of their ideas fresh and different. They were a great partner.

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

From a project management standpoint, their team was incredibly structured. The project manager was knowledgeable and on top of things. Basecamp is used to track everything, and it is a nice system. Their team held themselves accountable for delivery and held us responsible as well. As a result, the project was delivered on time and in the budget.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciated that Usman Group provided continued services. They also did a great job of working with the IT teams and providing support when needed. We were also able to manage tasks internally ourselves, which they positioned us to do with the content management tools they had in place.

The team was flexible but disciplined. They hold themselves to a high standard. There were no surprises, but if anything had to change, there were conversations to explore. Usman Group finished everything in a timely manner while remaining flexible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing I’d have them improve. Usman Group should continue hiring great people. Because of their culture and team, they’re a nice group to work with. As long as they keep having that same talent base, they’re always going to be a successful group.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t look at Usman Group as a web developer; look at them as a digital strategy partner. It’s better to talk about any problem or solution so that they can use their experience and innovation to find the right answer.

Don’t just go to Usman Group and tell them that you want a website that will increase leads. Clients have to be prepared to talk about what the issues are. Once that’s done, Usman Group can navigate and figure out the right solution and user experience.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the HR and Sales Administrator for Cloos Robotic Welding, Inc, a subsidiary of Carl CLOOS Schweisstechnik GmbH.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

We decided that, as a subsidiary, we needed our own website. Instead of having a German-based website, we wanted one based in the States, where everything was primed for the US market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Usman Group developed and designed a website for us from scratch. They added videos and photos of systems that weren’t on our other site that allow the consumer to look at the solutions we provide. Their team continues to provide SEO and keyword analysis.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact is Naveed (Principal & CEO, Usman Group).

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

The person handling our IP at the time reached out to Usman Group.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement with Usman Group began in 2010.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The quality of their service has been great. Our parent company ended up including a specific landing page for the US subsidiary so we’ve gone ahead and gone back to using the main website.

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

When Usman Group gives you a timeline, they stick to it. They continue to follow up and make sure things stay on time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve had nothing but success with everything they’ve touched.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything went smoothly.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You can’t go wrong with Usman Group, I would definitely recommend them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

At the time, I was the COO of an anti-aging concierge medical clinic.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

My company needed a new digital marketing agency to help with our digital strategy, SEO, and PPC. We were in a very niche market. Additionally, our patients were located all over the world and came from different socioeconomic backgrounds, so we had to manage various patient personas.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, Naveed (President & CEO, Usman Group) helped us with digital strategy. I led him through our business model and digital marketing strategy, and he helped us come up with a new plan to market our clinic to various patient groups. This included new messaging to get our business in front of different patients. He also did keyword research.

Naveed provided SEO and PPC services. He also wrote content and did copy for our webpages. We were branching into adult stem cell therapy treatment, which is a topic that has a lot of red tape around it; there are things you can and cannot say. Naveed was paramount in putting the right copy on the website for digital marketing purposes while ensuring that we were saying the right things legally.

At the time I left the company, Usman Group was rebuilding the entire website. 

What is the team composition?

I worked very closely with Naveed. We also had a project manager.

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

I asked around and Googled digital marketing agencies in the Chicago area. I wanted to find an agency that went deeper than just SEO or PPC; anybody can do paid ads, but what I really needed was somebody who could understand our business strategy and where we wanted to go to take it to that next level. With our previous agency, I had to spell out exactly what we needed to do. I wanted somebody who had expertise that I didn’t have. 

I came across Usman Group’s website, and it really spoke to understanding the client’s needs, acting as a consultant, and providing an outside perspective. They seemed capable of going beyond the stereotypical digital marketing services, and that’s what really attracted me. I interviewed Naveed and four other companies, and Naveed struck me as a genuine, caring person. I ended up working with him, and we’ve stayed in touch throughout the years.

How much have you invested with them?

I believe we paid a few thousand dollars each month for their SEO, digital marketing, and digital strategy services. I don’t know how much the website rebuild was, as I’d already left the company when it happened.

What is the status of this engagement?

My company began working with Usman Group in 2013. The partnership continued after I left the practice in October 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Usman Group was excellent to work with. Naveed definitely left a positive and lasting impact on the company with his work. One of the physicians at the clinic was very happy with the website Usman Group redesigned.

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

Naveed laid out a very thorough plan. We used the work process management platform Basecamp, so what we were doing and when it would be done was very clear. We also had monthly check-in calls to review the metrics. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve worked with a handful of firms throughout the years, and I’d say Usman Group is hands down the best. I was very impressed by Naveed’s business acumen and ability to walk into a new industry and very niche market. He wasn’t just trying to sell me something; he had a higher-level thought process. Naveed really considered what the strategy should be and pointed out things I didn’t see. He was even able to provide additional insights that impacted us, such as questioning whether we had the right processes set up to convert certain leads. He took it one step further than what you traditionally get from a digital strategy firm. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, I don’t think so. I hadn’t been happy with our previous firm, and Naveed was just excellent. Throughout the years, I’ve done freelance digital marketing work, and to this day, Naveed still stands out as the best person I’ve worked with.

Any advice for potential customers?

Be prepared to discuss what you’re currently doing and where you’d like to go. One of the best things about working with Naveed is that you can bounce ideas off of him. If you’re not sure how to flush out an idea, don’t be afraid to share it with him; he’s definitely going to surprise you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the former director of marketing at a small manufacturing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

We engaged Usman Group for a range of digital marketing and advertising tasks. We needed a more robust website and a strategy to make our company more visible online.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our existing website was somewhat raw and static. We relied on Usman Group to manage the lifecycle of designing and developing a responsive and mobile-friendly WordPress site that we could edit and maintain ourselves. Usman Group also built up the content regarding all of the products that we offered—a process that included categorizing about 200 items and making them easily searchable. Additionally, Usman Group coordinated SEO and PPC campaigns to drive traffic to our website and increase our search rankings. Lastly, they established our social media presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.  

What is the team composition?

Naveed (Principal/CEO, Usman Group) led much of our project, but he worked alongside a full team of people to help fulfill our needs.

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

The company initiated the relationship with Usman Group before I started in my role, so I am unsure of how we made that decision. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I worked with Usman Group from February 2016–February 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were very pleased with the results of their work—going from a website that was basically unseen to one that is seen by thousands of people and companies. They drove awareness and traffic to our website. Given we started with almost nothing, everything Usman Group provided was a net positive.

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

I remember them being structured well—very organized. Naveed was responsive to any questions or situations that came up.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We appreciated Naveed’s expertise and the excellence of his communication. Everybody in his organization exhibits an impressive breadth of knowledge. They served our needs very well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they provided everything that we needed.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an attorney and shareholder at Clausen Miller. We provide legal services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

We retained Usman Group to revamp and modernize our outdated website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Usman Group completely redesigned and relaunched our corporate website on WordPress. Their team updated the entire format. They assisted with photography and rewriting our attorney biographies. Usman Group also provided website support.

What is the team composition?

Naveed (Principal & CEO, Usman Group) was our primary contact. He had a team of developers working with him on our project.

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

We interviewed around five web design agencies. Usman Group was responsible for creating a website for an alternative dispute resolution group in Chicago that I’ve worked with previously. I was impressed with how their website looked, so I invited Usman Group to pitch to our firm.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Usman Group between March–July 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The informative website is significantly easier for clients and visitors to use. It’s been received positively internally and externally.

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

Usman Group was easy to work with. Their team is skilled and responsive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Naveed is smart and pleasant to be around. He understands his clients and doesn’t crack under pressure. Naveed delivers on what he says. Usman Group responsively meets deadlines.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we were pleased with Usman Group’s work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of transportation safety for a nonprofit dedicated to ending preventable death. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

We were tasked with creating a national education campaign that was largely web-based. The purpose was to educate the public about advanced driver assistance systems in cars.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Usman Group built a website on a platform that would allow our internal team to develop, expand, and update the content as needed. Their creative team collaborated with ours to produce web art services, interfacing together to determine the best way to present our content. We structured the taxonomy of the site, and Usman Group brought it to life. In total, they worked on design, dev, and SEO for our campaign.

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

We interviewed various local companies, and Usman Group had the most creative energy, so we hired them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together form March 2015–2017. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Together, we created something from scratch that’s highly visible and has received positive reviews and universal acclaim. We launched at a press conference with numerous national leaders in transportation and automotive safety. The web products are the backbone of our campaign, and the site is used by national organizations and state departments. Even car dealers and safety advocates refer to our site to help people understand the safety features in their cars and how they work.

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They were responsive and never missed a deadline. The team was collaborative and held weekly meetings to iterate on ideas and improve our products and processes.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They had high standards and creative problem-solving skills. They understood what we wanted, fostering a great working relationship.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the executive director of NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), an independent labor advocate that represents the interests of 2,500 pilots.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

We engaged the Usman Group to help redesign and develop our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Usman Group redesigned and developed our website, pulling together the different online tools we previously offered our network of pilots under separate logins. In addition to unifying the utilities we offered (i.e., message boards and profiles), they also created more cohesive design elements across the platform. They provided wireframes, launched the site, and continue to make enhancements or changes as needed.

What is the team composition?

I have one main point of contact, but Naveed (Principal and CEO, Usman Group) is also highly involved.

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

I researched the top 10 web development firms in the US and came across the Usman Group. After considering others, we ultimately chose them based on their previous work, the way they explained their approach, and how they presented solutions during a discovering meeting.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2016 and launched the site by January 2017, but they continue to maintain it as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website the Usman Group developed far exceeded our expectations; it works seamlessly and is very professional. We've seen a significant increase in online traffic and engagement on our internal message board, as well as a robust registration rate within our community. Our pilots are very happy with the tools and features we're now able to offer them all in one place.

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very transparent and committed to projects. I've never had any issues reaching them, and we generally track progress through Basecamp.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They took the time to listen to our unique challenges and goals, designing a website that's not only beautiful, but also incredibly functional and meets all of our requirements. Their creative process, willingness to provide feedback, and attention to detail sets them apart. Naveed had a very good understanding of our vision and we could trust that he had our best interests in mind from start to finish.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything worth mentioning.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the EVP and general manager of Integrated Merchandising Solutions (IMS).

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Usman Group?

We hired Usman Group for two projects. For the first, we needed them to create a custom website and admin page for our branded merchandise division. The second collaboration focused on revamping our company’s website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Usman Group began working on the project for our merchandise division, but we ended up halting the project due to internal decisions. We chose to go with a cloud-based solution and no longer required Usman Group’s development help.

From there, their team updated and redesigned our company website with new images, wording, and other features. They gave us recommendations for moving forward with the best site practices. Usman Group made several changes to evolve our platform.

What is the team composition?

Naveed (CEO, Usman Group) was my main point of contact on a daily basis. There were a few other teammates but we didn’t work as directly with them.

How did you come to work with Usman Group?

I’m not certain of how we found them, but after seeing the excellent work they produced on our first unfinished project, we chose them again. They were easy to engage with and gave us a great experience before.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April–October 2013.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The quality of the work they produced was excellent. The updated website fully satisfied our CEO and brought our company into the 21st century. Comparing our old platform to the one we currently have shows Usman Group’s skills and we’re very pleased with the results.

How did Usman Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very engaged and managed the project from the very beginning. We had a singular point of contact, so we were in the loop on every stage. They took the time to explain the process to us and communicate important information to our stakeholders.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Usman Group was proactive in their approach and recommendations. They guided us through the project and broke down complicated terms to keep us informed. Even though we don’t work together anymore, I still maintain a professional relationship with Naveed because of his team’s strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing specific that comes to mind for them to improve.