Clockwork Design Group, Inc

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

The firm I was working with was a very successful regional accounting firm.

What were your role and responsibilities?

At the time I was working with the firm, I was the marketing manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with Clockwork Design Group?

The firm lacked a brand. In spite of its regional success, their website and brand did not reflect that. We wanted to increase awareness of the company by creating and articulating a brand and its value as well as developing a current social media platform based on the site.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

Clockwork first helped us do a brand analysis. They spoke internally with our partners and other accounts and interviewed our clients. On the basis of that analysis, they helped us create our brand and the related messaging. Then they did all the design work, not only for the website, but also for all of our marketing communications.

What was your process in selecting Clockwork Design Group?

 I was first introduced to them when I was at a law firm that was using Clockwork, and I really liked working with them and their product and services. Then, when I went to another firm, I brought them onboard because that firm had been working with a company that was very expensive and did not provide good service. I hired Clockwork to pick up where that company left off and to continue on with their work. For this latest project, I did my own due diligence and got recommendations from a number of colleagues. I narrowed my search down to three service providers and, because of my previous experience with Clockwork, I decided to go with them.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

My previous firm has spent around $200,000 working with Clockwork.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How satisfied are you with Clockwork Design Group?

They are outstanding – just super. They hit the ball out of the park. They really did an incredible job. They captured the essence of the firm better than I ever expected or anticipated anyone could, and then translated that into an excellent design and the key messaging and positioning of the firm.

Is there anything unique about Clockwork Design Group that really makes them stand out compared to other companies?

They have a very personal touch. No matter how small you are, you never feel small. They give you all the time and attention you need. They move things along, and they expect you to hold up your end because it’s definitely a collaborative process. They’re very hands on. They care very much about your satisfaction with their services. They’re very organized. Their service is equally as excellent as their product.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

I can’t really think of anything that would have made the outcome any better.

What advice would you give a future client of theirs?

You really need to have someone internally to be the project manager. You need to have somebody managing and owning the process internally, both at the project management and executive level. You need to be prepared for a very collaborative effort.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We own and operate approximately 3 million square feet of commercial real estate in New England, Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

What are your role and responsibilities?

I’m the vice president of corporate administration. I primarily handle marketing and leasing.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with Clockwork Design Group?

We were originally looking at Clockwork to rebrand and create brochures for some commercial office properties that we have in Lowell, Mass. We had a huge marketing campaign that we needed to push out to the public, but we didn’t even have a single website. Clockwork started creating the basics of the marketing material and that expanded to website development. So, it’s all one comprehensive package.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

The two main areas Clockwork worked on were website development and marketing services. We’ve worked with them hand in hand for the content management of each of these pieces. The next phase after this will be social media, which we haven’t started yet.

What was your process for selecting Clockwork Design Group with which to work?

One of the principals of our firm had worked with one of the key players in Clockwork when she was working with a different firm some 20 years ago. That person suggested that we reach out to Clockwork to see if they would be a good fit for our current projects. Based on their creativity and their understanding of the real estate services industry, we chose to go with them.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

We’ve spent somewhere between $100,000 to $150,000 working with Clockwork.

When did you start working with them? Is the relationship ongoing?

The relationship started in September 2014, and we are still working with them. Right now, we’re on hold before going into the next phase of the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any stats, metrics, or feedback you can share about your work with Clockwork Design Group?

They’ve exceeded our expectations. They made the process amazingly easy for us, and their feedback was right on target. They understood what we needed and were looking for. What we couldn’t specifically articulate, they were able to translate into the final product.

Is there anything unique about Clockwork that really makes them stand out compared to other companies?

Their insight into design and their creativity are outstanding. They were able to take three very diverse properties and create a cohesive branding message across all three, even though each is very different. They have a broad view of the real estate market, which allowed them to do a great job at pulling all three properties together.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

The only area we struggled with was that we did not have strong IT [information technology] support on our end. That was a little frustrating, but I don’t think that was Clockwork’s fault.  

What advice would you give to a future client of theirs?

It’s important to have a full understanding of the services you want and how they’re interrelated. Clockwork does that very well. They make sure that, regardless of what you want, you understand all of the pieces involved. Then, you can select which one you want to focus on.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

My company is a registered investment advisor located in Boston.

What are your role and responsibilities?

I’m the founder and managing partner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with Clockwork Design Group?

Ten years ago, when I founded the firm, I wanted to make sure I created an accurate image of what the firm was all about. Our website is the principal face of the firm.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

Clockwork has done everything. They designed the site and helped us implement it. They connected us to an editor, whom we still work with, to help us with the content. They created a logo and a general look for all of our written communications. Most recently, they even completed the interior design of our new office.

What was your process for selecting Clockwork Design Group with which to work?

They were on a list of around 10 approved providers from Fidelity, which recommended two or three of them. After a lot of discussion, I chose Clockwork.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

The initial project was about $25,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How satisfied are you with the work of Clockwork Design Group?

I’m very satisfied. They’re professionals, they’re experienced, and they’re content experts. The highest form of endorsement I can give is that I recommend them to other people whenever I can.

Is there anything unique about Clockwork Design Group that really makes them stand out compared to other companies?

Anyone would be very hard pressed to find a more talented team than Clockwork. They’re also real people, and they’re fun to work with. You are working with real human beings, which makes everything much more interesting.

What advice would you give to a future client of theirs?

Hire them. That’s my only advice.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are a three-person boutique public relations, marketing, and communications firm based in Boston. We’re a virtual company, so we all work out of our homes. We are focused specifically on professional services firms, primarily architects, engineers, contractors, and their related subcontractors.

What are your role and responsibilities?

I am an account director and project manager. I have four or five clients for whom I am specifically responsible.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with Clockwork Design Group?

My client is a property manager and real estate developer in suburban Boston. We helped them redesign their old website about five or six years ago. They now wanted a complete redesign because they’ve got new buildings, properties, and services. The client wanted to refresh and modernize the look and feel of their website and to make the CMS [content management system] fully functional. We were happy to manage the project, but we wanted to be involved in choosing the designer.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

Clockwork did the complete design and development of the site using WordPress. I was the project manager, and my client was just there to approve decisions that I was making with Clockwork and approve the budget. The client wrote the content, and then we worked with Clockwork to implement the client’s ideas.

What was your process in selecting Clockwork Design Group with which to work?

We wrote an RFP [request for proposal] and sent it to 10 different firms. We got back maybe eight responses, short-listed four of them and then interviewed those four with the client. After those interviews, my client felt that Clockwork was the best choice for the project.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

We’ve spent somewhere between $25,000 and $40,000 with Clockwork.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

The project started in September of 2013 and was successfully completed a year later to our satisfaction, and the satisfaction of our client.

How successful do you believe the project was?

The feedback from the client has been great, and the client’s employees think the website is much fresher, brighter and more modern. They particularly like our focus on people, which we did not do on the original site.

Is there anything unique about Clockwork Design Group that really makes them stand out compared to other companies?

They have a very strong sense of design. Clockwork is very visible and very well-known in our industry. They have very strong ideas in terms of where they want a project to go.

What advice would you give Clockwork Design Group’s future clients?

The client should feel very secure in what they’re asking Clockwork to do. Expect Clockwork to have a strong opinion of the way they want the project to go, so don’t be surprised if their advice is sometimes fairly directive.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

They’re sometimes a bit quick to say, “Sorry, I don’t think that’s going to work.” As a client, we would rather hear something like, “I see what you’re saying. Let’s look at the alternatives. Let me see if I can find a solution for you.”

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

I work for a mid-sized law firm in Massachusetts, specializing in environmental, real estate, airport, and insurance law.

What are your role and responsibilities?

I’m in charge of all of our marketing, and I was the coordinator for the website project.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with Clockwork Design Group?

Our current website was definitely dated, and we wanted something that was cleaner and more modern. I also wanted a site that was simpler, more user friendly and that would give more prominence to our blogs and social media.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

They designed our website and logo.

What was your process for selecting Clockwork Design Group with which to work?

The original idea was to call in some young Web designers who we thought would be less expensive. But, in the end, the partners wanted to use someone with experience in the legal field. We looked at three providers who had that experience, but two of them were very expensive, so we decided to go with Clockwork Design.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

I would estimate $70,000. The original target was $60,000, but we went a bit past budget.

When was the project completed?

The project started in the summer of 2013 and was completed in October. We have an ongoing relationship with Clockwork Design for support and maintenance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

We have just had a successful launch of the new website. We had an initial spike in traffic right after we launched the site, but I think this is temporary because people were checking the site out because it was new. Everyone has been really positive about the website and, internally, people love it. The partners have been sending out emails saying we have a new website, and they are getting a lot of positive feedback.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

We have a very warm and friendly relationship with the people at Clockwork Design, and they are so incredibly responsive it’s almost insane. In my experience, this kind of relationship is unique in the business world.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

I worked with Clockwork Design when I was at a different law firm about three years ago. It’s a law firm based in Boston with 45 lawyers.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I was the marketing director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Clockwork Design Group?

We were doing a rebrand of our firm. The law firm had an old look and we wanted to be more modern. A website is often the first impression of a firm, and the old site didn’t reflect who we were. We redid all the identity for the firm, and then we engaged Clockwork Design to do a website as well. We wanted something where we could showcase our firm news, publications, bios, and better photographs.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

They provided us with design services. We talked a lot about the firm, and they provided us with four different options for our new identity. We did a complete redesign of the site.

What was your process for selecting Clockwork Design Group with which to work?

We put our proposal out to bid and got four or five proposals back. Then, we chose to interview Clockwork Design Group. We had them come in and interview, and they did a wonderful job answering their questions.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

Around $50,000 for website, and the identity part was $10,000 to $15,000.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

The website project started in 2008, and took about six to eight months to put together. Although I’ve left that firm, they are still working with Clockwork Design.

Do you have any feedback or metrics to track improvement from the project?

The traffic definitely increased to the site, and we won a legal marketing association award for the site design. Clockwork Design were easy to work with. They were clear and concise. All of the employees at the law firm absolutely loved the site. Everyone thought it looked like a very professional site.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

I think their client service is fabulous. I’ve worked with two other website design companies, and the client service was abysmal at those places in comparison. Their project manager, Danielle [Diforio], is wonderful and keeps everything moving. I think that’s a big differentiator.