Borenstein Group, Inc.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the program manager for The Rendon Group, Inc. We’re a small boutique PR firm that does consulting work for various commercial and government clients.

What challenge were you trying to address with Borenstein Group, Inc.?

We brought them on to redesign our website. The engagement was tied to our business development goals; we wanted to attract more business.

What was the scope of their involvement?

It had been some time since our website had been spruced up. Borenstein Group, Inc. handled a total redesign. They also provided some branding strategy and guided us through the whole process. Their team gave a lot of insight on how to brand including design, look and feel, images, colors, and how to communicate to our target audience which is primarily the federal government.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Gal (Founder & CEO) and Connie (General Manager), his project manager. There were a number of other individuals behind the scenes who also worked on the project.

How did you come to work with Borenstein Group, Inc.?

We had already talked to a couple of other vendors when Borenstein Group, Inc. sent out a solicitation offering their work. Our CFO received it via email and liked what she saw. We called them and had them come in. We ultimately chose them because Gal had the greatest grasp of our needs related to targeting the federal government for business, more so than other designers.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $22,000.

What is the status of this engagement?
The project ran from November 2019–August 2020. We launched the website in the middle of August.

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

In the long term, we’ll be looking at how much traffic the site receives and how much of that results in inquires for services and new business. Since we just launched, we don’t have any metrics quite yet.

How did Borenstein Group, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They were fabulous with project management and always met deadlines. One of the best qualities of their team was their flexibility. We had some setbacks on our side and had to change the scope of the project several times. They were extremely accommodating to our change requests that were disruptive to the project calendar.

Their team took on these new changes and made sure we got the website we wanted in the end. What’s more, they never gave us any trouble about it at all, despite it being outside the scope.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In addition to their flexibility, it’s their expertise. Gal is an expert on branding; He’s not a “yes” man either. We approached him a couple of times with different ideas and he had no problem telling us if something wouldn’t work or help us reach our goals. I was really impressed by their flexibility, expertise, and proactiveness in keeping us on the right track.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, we worked together really well and there were no areas that needed improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

We were more productive toward the end as our internal team became more familiar with web design. We could’ve been more productive from the start had we understood our own goals and asserted ourselves. Instead, it unfolded over time.

Any preplanning and strategizing before engaging with Borenstein Group, Inc. will be helpful. They’re wonderful. They’ll guide you completely but if you have a better understanding of what you want from the get-go, it’ll be a more productive project.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a large government services provider, primarily for the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Energy, as well as a host of other agencies.

What challenge were you trying to address with Borenstein Group, Inc.?

Our former company sold its government services division to another entity. Over the last four months, we’ve been working on branding the new company.

We had a short window of time when we knew our company was going to be acquired. So, we had to do everything from A to Z to brand the new company.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The team helped us through our launch, doing everything from a branding perspective. This involved developing the tag line, identifying our values and our messaging, creating an advertising campaign, building our website, and providing creative graphics. They helped us launch the branding materials.

At first, they required us to do a lot of “homework” (e.g. a two-day off-site session with our executive leadership team and our new owners). We identified the values of the company (e.g. what is important to our stakeholders) to help us develop the rest of the branding materials.

Also, they researched our clients and employees to identify what was important and the strengths and weaknesses of the company. That analysis fed into the brand development initiatives.

After that, they put together the project management plan from A to Z to launch the company. This involved content development, graphics support, the development of brand guidelines, and the development of advertising. They also helped us negotiate media buys with DC film media. 

We had to start from scratch on our website. This involved highlighting information from our old company’s site and bringing it into the new site. Key features include a lot of graphics and video.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact was Gal (CEO, Borenstein Group, Inc). We interfaced with him primarily, but also with three others on his team. He had a lot of support on his team that we did not communicate with.

How did you come to work with Borenstein Group, Inc.?

A consultant gave me their name. We were considering about 10 others. We researched their website and then cold-called them. Based on that call, we had several interactions with them for proposal development. Then, they came in to do their oral presentation for about 15 of us. We narrowed it down and made the selection.

Our decision was primarily based on their written and oral proposal. They did a very good job expressing what they could do to help brand our company. More importantly, they connected to our business line and our markets. Basically, this wasn’t their first rodeo in our market.

How much have you invested with them?

The initial investment was around $350,000, but it’s ongoing. Those numbers are still being negotiated.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with the team in November of 2019, and the partnership is ongoing.

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

We could not have been successful without their partnership mentality and devotion. We worked as a team, with phone calls and deliverables every day. They bent over backward to make sure we were ready to launch our new company in such a short window. 

How did Borenstein Group, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

I think they performed very well. There were a lot of last-minute changes, and we had a lot of cooks in the kitchen. Based on these difficulties that we brought to the engagement, they did a lot of heavy lifting. They worked over-time, and they were devoted to us as a partner over the last three months to make sure we were successful with our launch.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They stood out because of their connection to our market. Other firms may be equally as creative, but there aren’t many firms that know our market as well. They were able to take their expertise and apply it to help us. We didn’t have to walk them through everything or hold their hand. They knew what was needed.

The most impressive aspect of this partnership is that they went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure they were meeting our needs. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their CEO is extremely smart, experienced, and helpful. However, I think sometimes he was overworked. He should have asked some of his key members to help him more than they were at the end. His devotion was a good attribute, but I think he should have pulled his support team in a little bit more to help him.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

As always, make sure you’re asking many questions so you select the right partner. While they are very devoted to their client-customer relationship and know the market, you should also check their creative staff and creative capabilities. Their creative support staff could be a little stronger.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner of a full-service boat sales company called Fairwinds Marina, LLC.

What challenge were you trying to address with Borenstein Group, Inc.?

Our previous site was about two years old, so we wanted to do a refresher. The goal was to get an efficient, effective, and beautiful new site.

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Based on our outline, Borenstein Group, Inc. developed a fast-loading WordPress site, which involved a few key steps.

They first connected my boat inventory to BoatTrader so that I could get real-time updates. Then, they set up the phone and email trees within our system, which had been a hard task for other providers I’ve worked with. 

Finally, they handled all of the embedding and analytics, making sure that the site was optimized for search engines.

What is the team composition? 

My main point of contact is Gal (CEO, Borenstein Group, Inc.), who takes care of everything quickly. There are several others working behind the scenes, too.

How did you come to work with Borenstein Group, Inc.?

I’ve actually worked with them since the ‘90s. Back then, they helped put together a state-of-the-art website and developed a marketing tagline for my self-storage company.

When it came time to update my marina website, I wasn’t satisfied with my previous designer, so I reached out to Gal. We talked, and I made sure that his team could do all of the various things that needed to be done.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent between $10,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started this project in October 2019 and planned to go live January 2020, though Borenstein Group, Inc. managed to deliver ahead of schedule. We’re still working together for SEO tasks, and they stay on top of our tech updates.

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

It’s been a first-class operation. People have been delighted with the new site because they can now find the information they’re looking for. The number of leads from the website alone from January to the beginning of February has been in line with the numbers we hit during the previous summer.

How did Borenstein Group, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

For both of my engagements, I’ve been pleased that they’re on time as promised. I communicate first and foremost with over the phone because I prefer hearing information and reading the tone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their overall professionalism and on-time delivery stand out. We also don’t need to have a lot of back-and-forths. I have every confidence that if I bring up an issue, they’ll solve it for me efficiently. The team is adept at messaging, designing, and implementation, and they’ve met all of my expectations.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’ve been incredibly pleased with the process and am thankful that I decided to switch back to them as my web designer.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?
 
When you’re dealing with any consultant, it’s best to come prepared. Have an idea of what you’re trying to get done so that their team can deliver something that you want.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Our federal contracting companies provide a full spectrum of IT services, including management, consulting, medical, technology, and professional services. We also offer management and support of programs, projects, professionals, and technical staff. I manage B2G marketing and branding, supporting the revenue generation through government contracts.

For what projects/services did your company hire Borenstein Group, Inc.?

We hired them to conduct market research and develop a go-to-market strategy for a specific service.

What were your goals for this project?

Through market research, we wanted to validate the need for the service, dollars appropriated by government agency for the service, and the appropriate messaging that would resonate with government program managers and contracting officers. We hoped to generate greater awareness and ultimately win contracts.

How did you select this vendor?

My team researched local B2G agencies with specific expertise in market research, go-to-market strategy execution, and marketing and advertising expertise. We researched a few firms and selected Borenstein Group, Inc. based on their credibility and past outcomes.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After selecting Borenstein Group, Inc., we had discovery sessions with management, subject matter experts, and the marketing team. We identified objectives, conducted internal research about our expertise, and determined the scope of work, timing, and deliverables. They conducted external market research to validate our internal research, then developed a research report and a go-to-market strategy that detailed messaging and target markets. They recommended next steps on how to execute the plan through specific tactics, including a white paper, digital media, advertising, social media, email marketing, and a lead generation platform.

What was the team composition?

I’ve worked closely with the principal of the agency and their team. They’ve also been open to collaborating with our subject matter experts, management, and marketing team.

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

The campaign is still underway, but six weeks after the launch we've generated 40 leads, positive feedback from existing and prospective customers, and greater visibility as a thought leader in our industry.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It's easy to communicate with Borenstein Group, Inc. They provide regular updates, and we connect with them by phone weekly and through email regularly. They don't miss deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their knowledge of how Washington operates is unmatched. We've learned more than we thought we would. As a result, we've engaged them on a broader project with a similar scope.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No firm is perfect. They could improve their artwork a bit, but we're pleased with their knowledge, web development abilities, and outcomes.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing communications specialist for IntelliDyne, a government consulting firm. We primarily work in the IT sector for the Department of Defense, but we also work with civilian agencies. We focus on enterprise infrastructure management, data analytics, and network security.

What challenge were you trying to address with Borenstein Group?

We hired Borenstein Group to support our PR efforts and thought leadership campaigns to increase awareness for our company.

What was the scope of their involvement?

During our first engagement, Borenstein Group helped us with a complete rebranding process. They created new templates, tag lines, logo, and social media presence. They would develop content to post and established a YouTube channel for us.

During this most recent engagement, they handle our PR efforts while staying in line with the brand they created for us. They help us create and launch press releases to announce activities our company is working on. In addition, we’re working with them on white papers that we post. Together, we secure speaking engagements for our staff and work to raise the visibility of our company.

What is the team composition?

Gal (Owner, Borenstein Group) has been my main point of contact, along with a dedicated project manager.

How did you come to work with Borenstein Group?

Before starting our first engagement, we considered five different marketing companies but ultimately chose Borenstein Group. After that collaboration, we knew they were the right choice for our PR project.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $25,000–$50,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

For the most recent project, we began working with them in October 2018 and it’s ongoing.

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

They’ve been a tremendous help in getting attention for our press releases. An example of this came recently when we had a fundraising event to benefit workers affected by the government shutdown. We put together a press release and published it across social media platforms and used Gal’s network. It was picked up by several local DC publications and we received positive feedback from the general public.

Whenever we do something newsworthy, Borenstein Group develops materials for us and is able to immediately launch it into the public. We receive thousands of hits on the content they help us create. Working with them has elevated our standing in our industry.

How did Borenstein Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re willing to meet with us onsite and provide assistance, even when we’re not working on a specific project. After our first engagement finished, we could still reach out to them for support and materials. They’re responsive and organized—every deadline is hit and the work is done under budget. We have a loose schedule of milestones every month and they accomplish everything on time.

We communicate through Skype, email, and phone calls. Within 24 hours, we typically have a response from their team.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Choosing them for a second engagement speaks to the strength of the relationship we have. They’re a hands-on team with creative ideas—I’m delighted to be working with them again. Gal’s sense of humor makes the process lighter and fun, which we also appreciate.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing negative that I can think of—they were accommodating during both engagements.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate your goals and expectations to Borenstein Group and be open to their suggestions. Gal is great at understanding the needs of the project and giving great feedback based on his experience in the industry. Don’t be afraid to listen to their ideas and incorporate them with your vision.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the national sales and marketing manager at The Outreach Program.

What challenge were you trying to address with Borenstein Group, Inc.?

We hired Borenstein Group for SEO and marketing support for our website.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Borenstein Group has helped us create a comprehensive marketing plan for our organization. They made key coding changes within our website and developed our online store on Facebook, as well.

For the SEO side of the project, Borenstein Group established and manages our Google Ads and other PPC campaigns. Their team creates keywords for us, as well.

What is the team composition?

I work with four members of their team on a regular basis. The president of the company and the rest of the staff have been very helpful.

How did you come to work with Borenstein Group, Inc.?

My company had worked with Borenstein Group in the past, so we considered them for the project. After going through several proposals, we felt they were the best option.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $10,000–$25,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began this collaboration in August 2018 and it is ongoing.

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

The performance of the keywords has been outstanding. Every month, our ranking steadily improves and we’re one of the top search results in our industry. The storefront they helped us create works well with the new marketing plan. Working with Borenstein Group helps us phenomenally.

How did Borenstein Group, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great at communicating with us. No matter what day of the week or time of day, they respond quickly and help solve any issues. Within five minutes, we almost always have an answer from their team.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their skilled, customer-service oriented staff is unparalleled within the marketing industry. The services they provide combined with their strong team make them stand out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing they could do better for us.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Once you start working with them, keep going and listen to their input.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the marketing director of a growing government contractor.

For what projects/services did your company hire Borenstein Group, Inc.?

We hired them to help with a rebranding project, including a new look and feel and website functionality.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to project an image that conveys outstanding capability and sophistication. We wanted to show overall readiness to compete for larger contracts and the best talent.

How did you select this vendor?

We started with an internet search of PR and design firms specializing in supporting government contractors along with recommendations from colleagues. From that list, we researched and interviewed three firms, resulting in the selection of Borenstein Group.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The scope of the project included an assessment of our current website as well as our branding situation and its effectiveness. Initially, they engaged with a cross-section of our internal team to understand our business and business environment. Then, the Borenstein team built our rebranded website and created our new logo, messaging, and other collateral. They designed prototypes and made adjustments based on our feedback.

What was the team composition?

The team was comprised of Borenstein’s director of client services and digital creative director, supported by the firm's principal.

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

We were quite pleased with their final output. However, the site has not been launched long enough to have metrics yet.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were timely and sensitive to our schedule. The team was accessible and responsive within reasonable time frames.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are clear communicators, which is a good thing for a communications firm. It was an excellent experience working with their team.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None that I can think of.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the vice president of business operations for an IT consulting firm.

For what projects/services did your company hire Borenstein Group, Inc.?

We hired them to rebrand our corporate identity, develop a digital strategy, and conduct a client perception index to help us develop a revised marketing message.

What were your goals for this project?

The goals were to build a new, updated, and mobile-friendly website and modernize the company’s image.

How did you select this vendor?

I had worked with them at another firm and I knew they did great work.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They first performed an internal and external brand perception and competitor analysis in order to develop a new corporate tag line, logo, and sales value proposition, They also designed and implemented a new website, for which they wrote and produced six case studies. 

What was the team composition?

They assigned four to five specialists in alignment with the project scope. We had web designers, content and ghost technical writers, a project manager, and graphics specialists.

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

The website has received positive feedback from outside agencies. They implemented SEO metrics for us to monitor performance and included a user-friendly content management system so we can update content as necessary. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We worked very well with them, thanks to successful past relationships and committed executive sponsorship on both sides.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their team was creative and brought a diverse set of skills to the project. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

I would have loved to have them help with all of our internal documentation rebranding, such as letterhead, corporate process documents, etc.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Choisys Technology is a government contracting company that provides IT and professional services. I lead the company's business development efforts.

For what projects/services did your company hire Borenstein Group, Inc.?

We hired them for a variety of services, primarily branding, content marketing, web and UX design, and messaging, voice, and brand strategies. 

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was the complete migration from a static, stale image to a more fresh and modern look. We wanted an entirely new digital presence for the company, including our brand, messaging, and content. 

How did you select this vendor?

After researching top advertising companies in the Washington, D.C., area and reading company reviews, we held some initial conversations and eventually selected Borenstein Group.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The team began with an explanation of their approach and an in-depth discovery phase to identify needs and gaps, then outlined a schedule and deliverables. They worked with us very closely with constant communication and requests for feedback. 

What was the team composition?

They provided the project manager, account executive, and design lead.

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

Since working with Borenstein Group, our brand is much more defined and our message reflects the young and growing company that we are. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was very effective. Our teams communicated nearly every day. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They demonstrate impressive patience and understanding with their clients. They are willing to extend their timelines to ensure the customer receives the very best product or service. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

I did not see any areas that needed improvement.

Please describe your organization.

My company is a government contractor.

What is your position?

I'm a marketing manager.

What business challenge were you trying to address with Borenstein Group?

My company was going through a rebrand, which included a new name, colors, brand guide, website, everything. We wanted to partner with someone who was familiar with our industry and the rebranding process.

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

The Borenstein Group handled everything from logo design to website development. They created a new brand guide, banners, graphics, cut sheets, and other marketing materials for us. They also assisted with our press release writing and the rolling out of our brand both in the news and on social media. They did anything and everything you could think of for the rebrand.

How did you come to work with Borenstein Group?

We were looking for providers in the D.C. area that had worked with people in our industry before and had narrowed it down to about five contenders. We then went through an interview process, asked for references, and eventually awarded the Borenstein Group the contract.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

It falls in the bracket of $50,000 to $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project kicked off right after the 2015 holidays. It began in early January 2016, and we rolled out the rebrand the first week of April.

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We've had overwhelmingly positive feedback, particularly on the website. The Borenstein Group definitely helped us simplify and clean up our website, which elevated our appearance to a higher level.

How did Borenstein Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They performed very well. We were assigned a project manager, who I spoke with either every day or every other day. We were on a tight schedule, so we were constantly engaged with each other. She managed the writing of the press releases, creation of the graphics, and the website design. She also looped in support staff to answer technical questions on some of our calls, which worked really well.

What distinguishes Borenstein Group from other providers?

I like how engaged they were throughout the whole process. I could tell that they wanted to make us happy, it was a very positive experience with them. Communication was very easy as well, and they helped elevate our brand to the next level.

Is there anything Borenstein Group could have improved or done differently?

Not that I can think of.