Bean Labs

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director at a nonprofit called Preston Center of Compassion. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Bean Labs? 

The biggest challenge we were facing was how to market our nonprofit and improve our online presence so we could best serve our community.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bean Labs provides a host of digital services including website maintenance, marketing, and social media management. 

Their biggest project was creating a two-page flyer about our organization. We had brochures for each of our programs. However, they were a bit dense, so the board wanted to find a way to make them more digestible. Bean Labs took the brochures for two of our programs and created a flyer that we distributed to the community.

They’ve also advised us on how to improve our communication overall. We’ve been able to incorporate a lot of new ideas as a result of their work.  

What is the team composition? 

My main point of contact is Chris (President & COO), but I’ve worked with several other members of their team. 

How did you come to work with Bean Labs?

I first met Chris when he was looking for organizations to engage in a project that he was running called the Peaceful Project. He asked to come to our center to film the participants in our mentorship program. He exhibited excellent interpersonal skills when interacting with the children and volunteers at the center.

I asked him if he could provide additional support, and he quickly followed up. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We began our ongoing relationship with them in March 2018.

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

We received a lot of phone calls after sending the flyer that Bean Labs designed out. We also got positive feedback about the design of the flyer. 

Recently, Chris helped us get an update for our website in regard to the status of our summer programs for youth amid the COVID-19 outbreak. He’s helped us far beyond his regular scope of work. 

How did Bean Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

Chris follows through on deliverables and has excellent communication. He helps me stay on track with projects and he’s always willing to provide additional support if we need it. Chris comes in early and stays late. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They take care of issues immediately, allows follow up, and deliver high-quality work. Chris is an example of how social media can help the nonprofit world. Their company has been generous and dedicated to us since we started working with them. 

I’m impressed with how easily available they are to us, even though they have other big clients. Chris has been a great example to me. His dedication inspires me to want to be a better executive director. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

No, I can’t think of anything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would advise that you take a look at their services and evaluate what you need help with. It’s important to be honest about what you’re struggling with so they can help your organization be stronger.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the editor and publisher of an online magazine and news service called The Canine Review. I founded the company. We write about various topics related to dogs and the pet industry.

What challenge were you trying to address with Bean Labs?

They provide web development I needed to build a website, design it, create my branding and logo.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, they did branding, design, and coming up with the thematic elements for the website, everything from color to fonts to layouts. They designed our menu and determined where everything was going to go. They then did all the technical building of the site.

They’ve also provided help with marketing and planning for social media.

The logo and branding were a separate project from the website build. An artist came in and did the logo, so it was kind of an add on. I found out later it was very reasonably priced to what I would have had to pay to hire another firm to do it.

Ultimately, we sat down and worked out what I wanted to do. Things kept adding on to each other, but they were very reasonable about the feeds. When you’re doing a startup, it’s hard to lay out a framework because you don’t know where you’re going to be in six months.

What is the team composition?

I work with Chris (President & CCO, Bean Labs), and we talk multiple times per week.

How did you come to work with Bean Labs?

We live in the same town, and someone recommended him to me. I got super lucky. I used to work with people in New York City, but I wanted to try someone local.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since May 2019.

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

We only launched in November, but the best anecdotal feedback is that I now have someone available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If something’s not working well, they’ll fix it. he was working around the clock the week of Christmas and New Year’s because something was working properly.

It’s particularly helpful for a startup. I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else. The amount of mental energy and time Chris is put in isn’t measurable. He’s been terrific.

How did Bean Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great with organization. As an example, when we were onboarding a payroll system he held all the initial meetings without me, did research, and then presented their offerings to me.

After that, we made a map of what we needed to do and how long it would take to transition to a pay-wall. We went with one company that didn’t end up working out, and then we found another company that was amazing. Chris coordinated the entire thing and gave me a timeline.

When we’re doing individual pieces, he’s great at breaking down the different stages of what will be involved, how long it’s going to take, and what it will require on my end.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were honest and ethical. The great thing about them is that they’re terrific about spontaneously starting a project when I give them a call. They’re great at putting together a reasonable plan. I highly recommend them for startups and publishers. They’re very reliable.

He genuinely cares about his clients and is a pleasure to work with. He’s been indispensable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have anything. Both of us came into this not knowing much about the entire paywall situation, but they put so much time into it and now we have an amazing system and partner. If he’s not familiar with something he works overtime to familiarize himself with it.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have as much as you possibly can mapped out, in terms of what you want and what you want it to look like, as well as the timeline.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the creative director at a b2b ad agency in Upstate New York. Most of our projects were straightforward, sales-enablement programs. Follow the brand standards. Keep it affordable. Creative, yes. But often within tight constraints.

For what projects/services did your company hire Bean Labs?

One of our clients was the holding company, Textron, for which we'd done several college recruitment projects. One day they asked us to produce a "high-end, movie trailer video" for use at a sales meeting. The catch: We had to use provided footage from the many of the business units. "I want it to blow people away," said the VP of Marketing. No pressure.

What were your goals for this project?

Goal for the client was to "blow people away" at an international sales meeting. Goal for the agency: Demonstrate that we had the team and the connections to concept and produce a truly cinematic video.

How did you select this vendor?

We'd worked with Chris and the Bean Labs team once before on an AR/VR project. They seemed very tech savvy, had a high-end aesthetic and had demonstrated an ability to deliver and exceed expectations. They mentioned that video production and post production were very much part of their core competency. Even so, we bid the job to three post-production resources.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

We went to Bean Labs with a whole bunch of footage and a scratch track for the v/o. They picked a super-edgy piece of music and put together a high-energy cut, with exceptional type animation. We found a strong, national voice for the final dramatic v/o. Just a few tweaks and we were done! Happy client. We looked like heroes. In fact, they used the video on their home page (not the original purpose) for years because so many execs loved it.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Our feedback to the Bean Labs team was "Awesome job!" There was a little back-and-forth to be sure every element was just right. Overall, very smooth process.

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

The client was ecstatic and the piece was repurposed throughout the organization. (Thankfully we have anticipated broader usage.)

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Easy workflow. Only one in-person meeting required. The rest was handled digitally with today's video markup tools.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

"Get it" factor was great. They spoke our language, and they added value to the project without trying to take it to a different place.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nope!

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a partner in the PR/Communications division of a global healthcare marketing company - serving the pharma, biopharma, med device and consumer healthcare industry to educate and inform about scientific innovation.

For what projects/services did your company hire Bean Labs?

Our company aims to simplify the complex and inform audiences (both consumers and healthcare providers) about the human experience of living with chronic, life-altering conditions. Our team has successfully partnered with Chris V and the Bean Labs crew on many powerful projects that have elevated the authentic voice of patients to advance compassion and care for their communities.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal is often to give everyday people the platform to tell their personal and honest story - to shed light on topic areas that can be hard to talk about - but are hugely valuable to understand (by healthcare providers, caregivers, and other people like them).

How did you select this vendor?

We searched high and low for a great team to help produce a documentary film (5+). Once we found Chris V and team and worked on the first projects, they became a one of our trusted partners across clients and projects. You need to trust a video production partner immensely to make them an extension of your team, access to precious patient communities we aim to serve.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

Once we selected Bean Labs, they were proactive participants to clearly define strategy, storyboarding, filming and post production. We hire them as the experts on the process, and that's what they were.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Open communication throughout the process made feedback ongoing. Collaboration is one the greatest strengths of this team - so formal feedback processes were not really a thing. One team mentality.

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

Initial documentary film was highly regarded within industry and the greatest demonstration of success is that we continue to work with Bean to this day - and have introduced them to many other folks in our industry (clients and competitors:).

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Great collaborators and communicators - made for effective workflow.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Above all, I'm really impressed with their knowledge and creativity ...but the ease of partnership and collaboration is what makes their clients want to return to them again and again.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not really - I have seen this team show flexibility to work on both large-scale and smaller scale projects. This is a trait that is important for clients like us who have projects of all sizes. You want people with Bean qualities even for the small stuff.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President and Creative Director of KZSW Advertising. We are a small full-service ad agency with clients in the healthcare, banking, travel & leisure and high techology industries.

For what projects/services did your company hire Bean Labs?

We create TV, radio, print and digital advertising for a major Long Island hospital. Bean Labs has done all the editing and production of all our TV spots for several years now.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to inform the public of the advantages of treating prostate cancer with CyberKnife radiation services in some projects. Other projects for the hospital also were related to other forms of cancer and valve replacement surgery for cardiac care patients.

How did you select this vendor?

Chris Valentino was recommended by a Creative Director/Producer we work with.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Editing from initial concept through to final delivery to the media.

What was the team composition?

Chris Valentino worked with our producer, sound studio, the client's product manager, our account manager, our art director and myself, the creative director and copywriter.

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

The commercials we worked together on have been so successful over the last few years that the number of projects and the media budgets we have to deploy them have grown steadily, year after year.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It is always seamless, efficient and productive. Thew agency and our client look forward to working with Chris and Bean Labs. Their results have always exceeded our hopes and the process is fun .

What did you find most impressive about this company?

How easy Chris makes it feel to produce extraordinary results.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None.