AOK Group

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO and Chief Planner of Brooklyn Plans LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We help today's women take control of their finances.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire AOK Group to accomplish?

• Brand Identity
• Website

SOLUTION

How did you find AOK Group?

Referral

Why did you select AOK Group over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

What was the size of AOK Group’s team?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

AOK conducted a brand messaging workshop and identified brand values, messaging and a visual identity including a logo for my company. They migrated my website to Wordpress and redesigned and relaunched a new site incorporating the brand identity that they helped to define.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We now have a redesigned and compliant website, a logo and clear brand guidelines. The bounce rate is down 14% since the relaunch and the session duration is up 7.6%

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Working with AOK has is smooth, productive and effortless. They really do the work and come prepared to our meetings, send detailed color-coded recaps of who needs to do what next, and emphasize what I know about the brand while also illuminating new directions or ideas we could explore as a brand and company. 

They came up with ideas that were beyond our project scope but helpful to consider as our work evolved. Things were delivered on time and they were very responsive to any concerns or opinions I had throughout the project.

What was your primary form of communication with AOK Group?

Virtual Meeting

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

I talked to a lot of people in the spaces of web design, branding and accessibility and wanted to find one firm that could handle the project and could trust with my brand. Some firms charged by the hour and others I wasn't sure would understand the brand and who we are for. 

As an NYC-based and woman owned firm, I felt like Lexie and her team understood Brooklyn Plans and were able to come up with a proposal that met my needs, budget and timeline. I appreciated their follow-up and communication as well and could tell that if they took the project, I wouldn't need to manage them to meet the milestones they set.

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

I think there were a lot of moving parts to this project and that they did a great job staying on top of them all. The only hiccups were really more around external vendors I had in place that had limitations.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Chief Product Officer at B2B SaaS.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Our business is a growing FinTech company and we were seeking clarity in identifying our core messaging and branding.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Through a contact who recommended them.

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

The company began by having a meeting with the core leadership team at the company to ask us to identify our visions for the company. By having us focus on thought inspiring scales they were able to inspire discussion as to how we individually viewed our brand, thereby giving us the opportunity to agree upon a collective vision. The company compiled data over the course of several subsequent meetings with leadership which honed in on our brand specific values. The final deliverable included all the data they compiled outlining our core values, as well as logo, mood boards, color scheme and branding.

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

At least 3 to 4 members of their team worked with us to achieve the above.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were all very satisfied with the final deliverables. We njoyed the process by which we were able to debate and come to consensus on core values for our early stage start up.

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

Clear, detail oriented. Included detailed notes on individual meetings, recordings for any leadership that wasn't able to partake in meetings, follow up items and homework for the group in order to prepare for subsequent meetings.

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

Their commitment to learning about our business, their ability to get up to speed on our product and vision very expeditiously. Their attention to detail and their follow up.

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 the Co-Founder and COO of a company that creates styling products and community for folks with short hair

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire AOK Group?

We wanted to do an audit of our existing content and content strategy and then come up with a content growth plan going forward

SOLUTION

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

We met this vendor through an accelerator program we were part of. In just one 10-minute phone call, Lexie (AOK owner) was able to provide valuable insights into our brand and content strategy. We followed up for a deeper call and decided to work with them for a full content audit.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

AOK Group led us through what they call their "PESO" sprint. This is an audit of all Paid, Earned, Search, and Organic content across all our marketing channels. Once they completed the audit, the proposed a set of priorities and projects based on our company objectives.

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

We worked with the owner of the agency and the partner/creative director

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The goal of the first project was to audit what we already have in place. With the insights from that audit, we've reprioritized growth within our organic channels, aligned priorities around our email marketing strategy, and begun deploying basic SEO strategy.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our work flow was solid -- the AOK team was organized and efficient. We moved through the process very quickly and were able to start working towards next steps immediately.

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

Lexie and AOK have deep experience across e-commerce brands. They are fluent in the best practices & content strategies that help companies grow and forge deeper relationships with their customers.

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

The original organizing document was a little tough to synthesize information from but the team put all insights into actionable projects within Trello and that helped us immensely.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive at a microelectronics and defense data net analytics services company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOK Group?

We’re developing a new product that we’ll be spinning out as a new company, and we needed to build our brand and marketing foundation.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AOK Group is helping us build our new product’s brand and our new company’s marketing sales approach, doing foundational work across the board. We had a discovery phase where they asked us questions about the product. We also looked at our competitors; the team set up social listening, which helps us keep tabs on our competitors. They also help us keep our finger on the pulse for how our product fits into a competitive set and how we’re different.

We’ve done many different projects with AOK Group. For example, they did a brand workshop where we talked about the essence of the brand and how it translates into communication, copy, and value proposition. The team helped us write copy for pitch material, building our brand story into a narrative. 

They’ve helped write the content of our new website, and they’ve built our social media foundation. AOK group has created collateral that will get posted across social media, which will help build our accounts and presence on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. They’ve developed content such as images for Instagram, whitepapers, and blog posts that we’ll share on our accounts when the product launches. For the blog posts, they took the lead on crafting the first pass of the content, which we then edited. Additionally, AOK Group is laying the groundwork for SEO.

What is the team composition?

We work with Lexie (Principal Strategist & SEO), Reese (Managing Director), and Taylor (Creative Director), who's done work on the site’s copy and developed the images and content for Instagram.

How did you come to work with AOK Group?

I found them through a mutual friend who knows Lexie. I explained where we were with developing the product before we even started building it, and she recommended AOK Group. 

During my first conversation with Lexie, I could sense a high degree of curiosity about the product and excitement about bringing the brand to life. A very deep level of expertise in marketing strategy also came through. Those two aspects combined gave me the confidence to hire them added to the personal recommendation.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent about $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2021, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since we haven’t launched the product, we don’t have metrics yet. AOK Group will help us build a marketing KPI system; we’ll be looking at website performance metrics, including unique visitors and click-through engagement with our content, as well as search rankings. In terms of social media, we’ll be looking at followers and post engagement.

How did AOK Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re excellent at project management. We use a shared Google Sheet to keep track of tasks and their urgency. Their communication is excellent; they send us recapping emails with links directly to whatever needs to be reviewed or completed. 

Reese is very thorough, organized, and good at keeping everybody on top of tasks. She makes it as easy as possible for everybody on the team to do their part so that we move the ball forward. We have weekly meetings, and we use a group chat and email in between them to stay on top of things. We also have 30-minute catch-up calls where we knock through many tactical items to get them done.

What did you find most impressive about them?

A combination of deep expertise, curiosity, and team integration approach distinguish AOK Group from other providers. They act as part of our company, which is really nice; they think of the product as theirs instead of acting like an external entity providing advice. They jumped in with both feet from the start, and they have a sense of ownership and a vested interest in the product’s success.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s no overarching feedback that comes to mind. We’ve had tactical conversations when we want to change the direction of their work, which is just the natural course of a project.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to be really clear and specific about what you’re trying to achieve. Think about where you have a gap on your team that AOK Group can fill to get the most leverage out of their skill set. Give Lexie and the team clear direction on your needs so they spend their effort in the most impactful way possible.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of a real estate platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOK Group?

We needed someone to help us build a deck we could utilize for a fundraiser.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AOK Group is developing a deck for us to raise $1 million. We started by discussing the parameters of what we wanted, where they asked very in-depth questions to understand the scope clearly.

They then set up an additional call to present us with the first version and from there, we provided feedback and a couple of revisions.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with Lexi (Principal Strategist & CEO).

How did you come to work with AOK Group?

We came across AOK Group from a referral from a female founders group.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent under $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing partnership started in February 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The work that AOK Group has put into this project enables us to stay on track to achieve our goals and raise the $1 million funding.

How did AOK Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They perform well from a project management perspective as they’re able to communicate with us consistently. 

We typically interact through Slack and video calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re impressed with their attention to detail and ability to think outside the box regarding the initial constraints of the project.

They’re able to offer innovative ideas and find data points to support some of the claims we’re making.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any constructive feedback on AOK Group.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I don’t have any specific advice to provide.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a young jewelry business that sells vintage antiques and jewelry of my own design.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOK Group?

I was looking to work with a great branding and strategy team that will convey the voice of my brand and successfully launch my business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AOK Group has been helping me form a concrete brand identity through logo design, ongoing web development and support, and marketing strategies — their work enables us to connect the name of the company to the voice of the brand.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with Lexi (Principal Strategist & CEO), a director of operations, and a designer.

How did you come to work with AOK Group?

I found AOK Group through a personal recommendation and we decided to hire them based on their experience working with large and small companies, as well as their genuine interest in developing the company’s vision regardless of the scale.

After our initial conversation, I felt very confident that they were going to be a true extension of our team because they were already exceptional in all aspects of the project.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $26,000 for the full branding and marketing strategy, as well as the design and development of the website.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing partnership started in January 2022. They have this wonderful program that’s geared towards female founders and small businesses that we’re looking to scale, so there’s going to be some support for that moving forward.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t launched the site so I can’t give any metrics on the performance, but the feedback that we got from the people I truly respect has been extraordinary across the board.

AOK Group reached into my mind and pulled out words and visuals that I don’t quite know how to articulate for my brand.

How did AOK Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re fantastic from a project management and communication standpoint. They initially offered me a few different options to suit my way of working, even if I was already confident with our current process.

They’re just phenomenally responsive, as their method allows them to continue their work even if I become unavailable for a certain period of time. Furthermore, they’re very willing to accommodate my needs so it’s been a clear and easy experience.

We mainly use Trello to manage the project and utilize Dropbox, Pinterest, and Instagram to engage.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We like that they’re incredibly astute in their ability to take on different markets and help their clients identify the right articulation of their vision and voice. Their expertise makes me feel grounded and confident in our long-term growth.

I’m grateful I was able to connect with them, as I believe their work is going to have a huge difference in the course of my business.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they need to improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I advise you to trust their experience and process to get the best possible results.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO and primary investor in Meghan, Inc, a house of fashion brands, designed by Meghan Fabulous and offered at major department stores, better boutiques and via our own website and various third-party eCommerce platforms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire AOK Group?

Online presence and website audit, to create recommendations to improve overall eCommerce customer experience, engagement and conversion.

SOLUTION

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

They approached us, but I was immediately impressed with the innovative ideas, unconventional thinking, and creativity they brought to the table.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

They reviewed our website and digital marketing assets in detail and produced detailed recommendations for improvements.

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

Two, Lexie and Taylor. I don't know their titles!! :-)

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are implementing their recommendations now. The quality of their strategic thinking is very high and they were fell of good ideas. Brainstorming with them was particularly enjoyable as we would tear through numerous ideas, many of which we dismissed, and some of the best ones we kept. That's effective brainstorming.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very. They communicate copiously and introduced us to new tools to help manage our communication, such as Trello.

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

The strategic thinking - definitely. Strategic marketing is not something we (the founders here) are wired for, so it was refreshing to get a new and vibrant take on how to continue and boost our rapid growth.

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

They took feedback well. They were very committed to their ideas and showed strong project ownership. There were a few times we shared some feedback on the best way to communicate and work with us, and they reacted positively and implemented against that feedback. Open and blunt communication is important to us, and not everybody "enjoys" or respects that, but they were champions and worked hard to meld with us!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at a software company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a fintech software-as-a-service provider that enables everyday investors to effect measurable global change through their investment portfolios.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire AOK Group to accomplish?

• Create a compelling pitch deck

SOLUTION

How did you find AOK Group?

• Referral

Why did you select AOK Group over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Referred to me
• Liked their strategic thinking

How many teammates from AOK Group were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

I hired AOK Group to create a compelling pitch deck for my B2B impact-oriented fintech startup, leveraging/building upon pre-existing assets and conducting market research.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

I came away from the engagement with a professional pitch deck that clearly articulates my company's unique value proposition and potential for great social & environmental impact.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Lexie, Lily, Pat, Huma, and team are extremely efficient, detail-oriented, and organized. They delivered all pitch deck versions either on time or early, provided detailed notes documenting discussion points and decisions after each meeting, and actively engaged via Google Slides comments in between meetings/drafts.

There were some instances where I felt that that my feedback was not understood or actioned, but after I brought this to Lexie's attention, she and her team were receptive and quickly incorporated my feedback into an additional pitch deck iteration.

What was your primary form of communication with AOK Group?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The AOK Group team is able to quickly grasp a new business/product concept, understand its competitive landscape, and formulate creative strategic recommendations in a short period of time. They are passionate about what they do and they truly immerse and invest themselves in their engagements. Their dedication to client satisfaction is also quite remarkable.

This was demonstrated by AOK Group providing an additional round of pitch deck revisions after learning that I was not fully satisfied with what would have otherwise been the final iteration.

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

More discussion around topics on which we had differing opinions would have helped to avoid the extra round of revisions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of House of Afrobeats, an immersive museum opening in Atlanta, Georgia, that celebrates African heritage and music.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with AOK Group?

I needed help putting together a pitch deck.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AOK Group designed a pitch deck for my museum. During an introductory meeting, they explained their service packages in layman’s terms, and I hired them to create a full pitch deck. I showed them my business plan and a rough draft of a pitch deck I’d created. They conducted their own research and dug deeper into the information I provided. I explained what I was looking for — I wanted the deck to be fun but elevated since it was geared toward adults — and AOK Group provided options.

They worked in sprints, and we met after each so I could provide feedback. In the first sprint, we designed the deck’s layout. During the second sprint, AOK Group incorporated more design elements and added color. In the third sprint, they finalized all of my edits and presented the final deck at our third meeting.

What is the team composition?

I worked with four of their teammates in total. Moira (Strategy Director) was the first one I met. I also worked with Lexie (CEO), Lily (Associate Strategist), and one other teammate.

How did you come to work with AOK Group?

I’d been looking for a while for a company to help create my pitch deck without charging me an arm and a leg. I found AOK Group through an Instagram ad and contacted them.

Lexie vetted me in the same way I vetted her to make sure we were a good fit, which I appreciated, and she was able to work with me on a discount.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from December 2022–January 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I thought the pitch deck was amazing; AOK Group gave me exactly what I needed. I haven’t used it yet, but my confidence in talking about my company has increased because our information is more organized. This confidence boost alone is a benefit, and I think the deck will do well once I start showcasing it.

AOK Group tailored the deck and their process to fit my business; I was in the pre-seed funding stage, so they customized the slides to showcase my business in the most positive light.

Their research was very helpful, and the deck came out beautifully; they found information I wasn’t even aware of, which was very impressive, especially since Afrobeats is such a niche genre, and I consider myself an expert. 

How did AOK Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They exceeded my expectations. Lexie delivered everything she said she would. AOK Group met every deadline, sent detailed emails with meeting minutes and deliverables for their teammates and me during each sprint, and incorporated my feedback thoroughly and quickly. Their team worked together really well. Their streamlined process was very easy and fast. I was impressed by their efficiency — they sent an outline of the deck within one week of our introductory Zoom meeting. We also communicated via Microsoft Teams and email. Lexie was also really responsive over text, but I tried not to text her too much. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

AOK Group was very organized; they knew exactly what they were doing and kept me updated, so I never had to chase them down. I knew everything would be done in three weeks, I knew how many meetings we’d have, and I knew AOK Group would always respond.

I also appreciated that they seemed to only take on projects they were passionate about. Lexie and the team cared about my business and believed in me. I’ve maintained an ongoing relationship with AOK Group and will definitely work with them again on future projects because they were so great. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would suggest that Lexie be the first point of contact for potential clients since she’s the one who sold me on their services.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do your own research, have the basic information down, and make sure you understand your company — maybe even write a one-pager — so you’re able to answer AOK Group’s questions and let them know where your head’s at. They’ll give their opinions, but you should be the expert on your content so they can communicate that content.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO and founder of software as a service called MySmartPlans which creates transparency, communication, and organization for construction projects. We pair our customizable software solution with a dedicated Digital Information Librarian that works to ensure complete data throughout the construction project while eliminating the risk of litigation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire AOK Group?

We needed to create a concise PowerPoint/ pitch deck that brought all the information about our company together in order to increase our customer base.

SOLUTION

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

We found AOKC online and after meeting with the team, knew they were a perfect fit.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

AOKG created a sales pitch deck that illustrates everything our company does and made a presentation that displays the information in a visually pleasing and informational way. The team is also working to link us with possible customers I can pitch to, so MySmartPlans can be used on their future projects.

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

They assigned a Principal Strategist, Associate Strategist, and Wordsmith/ Creator Strategist to create a pitch deck. We met once a week for 5 weeks to discuss and go over the PowerPoint.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We look forward to using the new pitch deck for sales meetings and conference presentations, as it properly shows what our company is capable of.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The team was always responsive to what they learned from their meetings, what they were working on next, and what they needed from our team. They always completed the tasks and updated the pitch deck with all previous discussions before the next meeting. We love the final product.

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

The team absolutely understood what we wanted and they used their creativity to bring it to the next level. They also are very supportive of our Woman Owned Business and I can tell they want us to succeed.

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

The process felt a tiny bit rushed, with the sprint, but that also kept us on task to finish in sufficient time. I hope that they are able to work with us on using the pitch deck and finding clients for us to pitch to.