R&G Strategic

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the director of marketing for our environmental services companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire R&G Strategic, and what were your goals?

Our objective is to partner with a company that will elevate our service offerings through a distinctive, compelling new brand identity to support a new environmental business unit that will consolidate four currently distinct business units.

This project is a critical first step in developing a dynamic, integrated marketing strategy that involves a new name with an accompanying logo or design. We intend to create a distinct, recognizable identity that evokes environmental sustainability in the minds of our clients, employees, and other stakeholders.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were seeking proposals from experienced agencies. Our evaluation included an assessment of your team experience, relevant industry experience, evidence of past performance, and references.

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

The purpose of the project and expected tasks were to:

• Consolidate the brands of four business units to streamline marketing
• Keep existing business unit emphasis, but realign to correspond to four focus areas: environmental, forestry/arboriculture, agriculture and technological solutions
• Capture synergies among the competencies of our various business units to elevate our business
• Dismantle silos among business units, so they work more closely together
• Deliver environmentally sustainable solutions to our clients
• Reflect company values (Safety, Family, Integrity, Excellence, Stewardship)
• Eliminate the confusion associated with current multiple brand business units’ names
• Streamline and improve search engine optimization (SEO)
• Facilitating meetings to develop recommendations, strategies and processes to identify and select a new brand name
• Provide market research on naming within the target industry to determine key components or considerations
• Develop a unique logo or design that evokes environmental sustainability in the minds of our customers, employees and other stakeholders
• Facilitate a transition to the brand and logo.

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

We worked with a CSO, CCO, lead designer, and designers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are in the final stages of our project and are excited to be on time and within budget.

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

We had regular meetings scheduled weekly or bi-weekly through facilitated Teams meetings to provide market research and develop recommendations, strategies and processes to identify and select a new brand. We used Slack, Teams and email communications.

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

Their commitment to the industry and our shared interest in sustainability were driving forces that united teams and project goals. In our united efforts to identify a new brand name, we uncovered an exceptional name - speaking to the heart of who we are - as a distinct, recognizable identity that evokes environmental sustainability in the minds of our clients and our employees.

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

We needed the opportunity to digest the information logically that didn't require us to decide on the fly. We discussed adjustments to the process that allow our expectations to have previews of the materials so that we could provide insight from the execution of the branding materials.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Business Strategy Director of The Climate Registry

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The Climate Registry (TCR) is a non-profit organization that empowers organizations to be climate leaders by providing best-in-class programs and services for measuring, verifying, and disclosing greenhouse gas emissions

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire R&G Strategic to accomplish?

• Evaluate the market landscape
• Assess our strategic objectives
• Identify our unique value propositions

SOLUTION

How did you find R&G Strategic?

Online Search

Why did you select R&G Strategic over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from R&G Strategic were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

1. Evaluate the market opportunity through secondary research, categorize and prioritize revenue models and customers to drive its economic engine, and identify wider audiences with long-term potential.
2. Map the opportunity by understanding how the organization's strengths and challenges overlap with the market landscape's missing gaps and tablestakes expectations.
3. Develop a marketing strategy, including brand position, value proposition, key message, and high-level recommendations for implementation.
4. Ensure you have buy-in at all levels of the organization by including leadership stakeholders in the conversation.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

R&G helped us to develop a clearer understanding of the marketing landscape, which has directly informed our strategic priorities for 2025. We have adopted several of the recommendations into our "Theory of Change" planning documents, and the board members have reviewed and approved this direction. 

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

The R&G team had a clear and transparent process that included several discovery sessions via Zoom as well as timely email follow ups and requests for additional information. The team was in sync and had clearly defined roles and responsibilities. They always respondent quickly to any questions from the TCR team and delivered a high quality research report within the expected time frame. They were also incredibly generous with their time and provided a number of tweaks to the report based on requests from the TCR team. 

What was your primary form of communication with R&G Strategic?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Highly intelligent and knowledgeable about the issues facing TCR. Very adept at contextualizing the marketplace conditions thereby helping us to more confidently identify our unique value propositions.  And perhaps most importantly, they share our values and vision as an organization in the sustainability and climate action space. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something R&G Strategic could have done differently?

None that I can think of

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Marketing and Communications Lead of a nonprofit company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We protect nature through private land conservation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire R&G Strategic to accomplish?

• Campaign name
• Campaign branding rough outline

SOLUTION

How did you find R&G Strategic?

Referral

Why did you select R&G Strategic over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from R&G Strategic were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Successfully met our goals with the "Twice the Wild" campaign. We're embarking on a new initiative to continue this work. 

We hired R&G to help us focus the design of the campaign itself and define certain communications resources as we build it out. This included: overall brand tone specific to the campaign, potential campaign names, potential taglines, and rough ideas for logo options. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

R&G delivered excellent research about compelling conservation campaigns - how different angles and messaging performed, how different campaigns that were similar to ours had looked and what was successful, how different options would target specific audiences for us. They also delivered several rounds of potential names, along with rationale and rough logo options for each of them - although we ended up not selecting any of them, they were all very valuable and helped us to refine our internal objectives for the campaign (and roadblocks for moving ahead). 

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

They were very thorough and extremely responsive. The materials presented at our virtual meetings were extremely compelling and demonstrated that they were really listening to us, understanding what the Nature Trust's priorities were and who we wanted to be talking to. As much as anything else, that quality of listening and accurate reflecting was extremely valuable to us throughout the process - we felt confident that the options presented to us were really taking our needs and our organizational objectives into account. Beyond them, items were delived on time, we were contacted regularly to keep us on track, and we always felt clear about where we were in the process.

What was your primary form of communication with R&G Strategic?

Virtual Meeting

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

I refer to my previous answer about the listening and reflecting.

Are there any areas for improvement or something R&G Strategic could have done differently?

I can't think of anything. The blockages to moving ahead with the actual outcomes were all on our side of things.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Head of Accessibility Practice of Rick Hansen Foundation

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The Rick Hansen Foundation is a charity founded to inspire, create and deliver innovative solutions that accelerate a global movement to remove barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire R&G Strategic to accomplish?

Develop creative and layout for large publication

SOLUTION

How did you find R&G Strategic?

Referral

Why did you select R&G Strategic over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from R&G Strategic were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

RG Strategic was retained to provide design services for a 60-page publication that was created for primarily digital use while able to be easily printed by a professional printer. RG Strategic provided ongoing consultation and review meetings, with three creative concepts and full desktop publishing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

1. Creative Concepts

R&G Strategic provided three creative concepts. Each concept included:

• Cover Page
• Table of Contents
• 2-3 Page Layouts
• Stock iconography, Illustration and/or Photography

2. Formatting and Production Prep:

• Digital use compliant with WCAG AA PDF standard
• Formatting for professional printing

3. Copy Review and Editing

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

The R&G Strategic team are consummate profesisonals. All work was delivered on time and on spec. Their staff are responsive and professional, and are a pleasure to work with. They ensured that we achieved our project goal and maintained our strategic priorities as defined in the scope, but were flexible and adaptable as things changed over the course of the project. This combination of professionalism and flexibility make them easy to work with. 

What was your primary form of communication with R&G Strategic?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

I thought that the R&G Strategic team represented a "total package" at a price point we could work with. They effectively designed creative concepts that worked for our project, which was somewhat technical and presented some unique design challenges. Their team's demeanour is professional and approachable, and they met all established deadlines. They flagged potential issues in advance, and delivered on time and on budget. Could not ask for more.

Are there any areas for improvement or something R&G Strategic could have done differently?

No. In fact, R&G went above and beyond in managing this project, especially when we encountered some unforeseen account changes on the client side.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Project Manager - Science Communications and Partner Projects of Ingenium Canada

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Home to Canada's nation museums of Science and Innovation

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire R&G Strategic to accomplish?

• Marketing for a physical exhibition of species at risk in PEI
• Promoting Species At Risk to middle schools in Atlantic Canada

SOLUTION

How did you find R&G Strategic?

Referral

Why did you select R&G Strategic over others?

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

How many teammates from R&G Strategic were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

R&G provided full marketing support for a physical exhibition of life size species models on Prince Edward Island including press releases, videography to capture b-role, on site support during the opening of the exhibition and follow up to ascertain impacts of our collaborative efforts. 

R&G also developed and disseminated a packaged aimed at middle school teachers full of classroom materials highlighting aquatic species at risk in the region.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were able to determine how many visitors interacted with the physical exhibition as well as determine reach of the various media outlets that responded to our call. In all cases, our expectations were exceeded considerably.

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

R&G consistently set and met reasonable timelines per our project needs. They were also very accommodating as our project timelines shifted in ways out of their control. All around a fantastic vendor to work with in these regards.

What was your primary form of communication with R&G Strategic?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The company's sustainability focus and that is owned and led by women were key pieces for me initially. As our project progressed and wrapped up it also became very clear that the entire team knew exactly what they were doing, delivering excellent results across the board.

Are there any areas for improvement or something R&G Strategic could have done differently?

Honestly no. I am just looking forward to my next opportunity to engage them in my own work! 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Communications of Carbon Removal Canada

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Carbon Removal Canada is an independent policy initiative focused on the rapid and responsible scale-up of carbon removal solutions needed to meet Canada’s climate goals by 2050.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire R&G Strategic to accomplish?

• Brand design
• Website build + design
• Report design

SOLUTION

How did you find R&G Strategic?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select R&G Strategic over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from R&G Strategic were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Carbon Removal Canada worked with R&G Strategic to:

• define brand identity, design logo 
• design business cards
• design and copywrite website
• design research report (incl. infographics)

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team delivered all that was needed on very short timelines - and were incredibly nimble with changing feedback/direction. All elements were designed to satisfaction and delivered on-time for a successful brand launch.

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

The team was incredibly responsive and worked quickly to address feedback so that all items were delivered on schedule. The team even proactively developed a backup plan in the event that timelines weren't able to be met - great at managing expectations and ensuring objectives were complete should obstacles occur.

What was your primary form of communication with R&G Strategic?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Great team culture, incredible customer service, inspiring work, nimble operations and great transparency with clients re: changes to budget / how feedback may impact timelines, etc.

Are there any areas for improvement or something R&G Strategic could have done differently?

None from me - great experience!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the communications and administrative associate working with the Nova Scotia Innovation Hub. We work to accelerate the growth of Nova Scotia's low-carbon bioeconomy. The NSIH facilitates best-in-class, investment-ready conditions for bioeconomy ventures on their path to commercialization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire R&G Strategic, and what were your goals?

We hired the R&G team to develop a website for our project; Nova Scotia Bioeconomy Sites. Our goal was to have a sleek, modern website that highlighted locations throughout the province that were open to co-locating with bioeconomy firms. We wanted something eye-catching that 'put us on the map' and supported our investment attraction initiatives.

SOLUTION

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

The NSIH team previously worked with R&G to develop our current brand and website. The deciding factors for our choice were their commitment to sustainability and deep knowledge of web design and development.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We had a kickoff meeting with stakeholders and began the project. From there, we were presented with various wireframe designs. Upon approval of the wireframes, the visual designs were shared. Next up was a run-through of the functional website, an exciting step for us all. The website operates within WordPress using Divi, which the R&G team walked me through upon finalizing the project. We stayed in contact throughout the project which was very useful for our team.

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

Ellen, Lead Designer, was our main point of contact throughout the entire project. A member of the design team assisted us with the development of the NSBS logo. Other members of the R&G team assisted with testing and reviewing of all copy.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

R&G worked diligently to ensure the site was prepared for a 'soft launch' so that a client highlighted on the website could use this as an investment attraction tool in his trade mission to Europe. Upon officially launching the website on Feb 1, 2023, we saw 88 visitors. We also attracted two Nova Scotian businesses looking to be added to the website as available co-location sites.

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

R&G's project management style was the perfect blend of professional and friendly. We had regular meetings with our core team, communicating regularly through email, Slack, and Google Docs/Sheets. All members of the team were extremely pleased with each interaction with the R&G team.

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

The R&G team is truly lovely to work with. Everyone that I've interacted with exudes professionalism and knowledge, and is extremely down-to-earth. R&G walks the talk when it comes to sustainability, accessibility, and equality. It made it a pleasure to have the team bring our project to life.

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

There was a small miscommunication regarding the promotional plan aspect of the proposal, but we had required additional logo services so it worked out in the end.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Understory Consulting works with local government and purpose-driven organizations to research, design, and implement community-informed solutions to complex problems. As the founder and solo consultant, I offer facilitation, user research, service design, and evaluation support to partners to create solutions that are useful, inclusive, and sustainable with people's real needs at their heart.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire R&G Strategic, and what were your goals?

We worked together to create a logo and brand system that helped bring my concept into reality. I especially needed help making design decisions that make my practice appear as experienced, thoughtful, and professional as I begin this business.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I have a personal relationship with the co-founder Liz. They were able to offer me the flexibility in project scope and cost I needed to afford these professional services as a small & new business.

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

They created drafts of a logo, including three cycles of design, feedback, and iteration. They shared their expertise on search engine optimization to decide on a company name and keywords. Finally, they played a coaching and advisory role in developing my website on Squarespace, providing valuable advice and troubleshooting support while allowing me to take the lead.

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

I worked directly with Liz, the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer. She also engaged a designer to develop the logo.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I have received positive feedback on my site that the logo and design are professional, unique to me, and effective in communicating my services.

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

They were very professional, and followed up with me to help finish the project quickly.

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

Their willingness to approach the project in a way that would work for me, prioritizing value for money, and flexibility to coach me rather than take on the work for themselves.

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

Not that I can think of. They were very professional and offered me invaluable support.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a manager for a real estate group.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with R&G Strategic?

We hired R&G Strategic to help create content and design posters and other kinds of digital communications for a campaign we were running. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we figured out the look, feel, name of the campaign, and content calendar. We looked at different stock images of people and places because that aligned with our own communication and marketing guidelines. Once we figured those things out, R&G Strategic put together images, designed various-sized posters, elevator screens, and other content along with messaging. 

After working with R&G Strategic on our first campaign, we decided to add another project which involves designing events like a template. We have four themes, and for each theme, a creative is made, content is created, and templated creatives are drawn up on Canva to be used on an ongoing basis for in-person and virtual events. They also help us source out swag and design illustrations.  

In addition to content, they conducted interviews with internal stakeholders to understand the likes and dislikes across campaigns to be better informed about what they pitched to us. 

What is the team composition?

We work with Sarah (Chief Strategy Officer), April (Designer), and we have two other junior associates. 

How did you come to work with R&G Strategic?

They were a referral; we sent them an RFP, and they came back to us with the best pitch. We weren’t entirely sure what we wanted at that point, but they seemed to understand our direction. We also appreciated that they focused on sustainability, and were a small firm that could hone in on our needs. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $100,000 CAD (approximately $80,000 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2021, and the engagement is ongoing because we’re continuing to work with them beyond this project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve sent out the posters and different kinds of content to people within our company, but we won’t have any metrics for a while. 

How did R&G Strategic perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve stayed on budget for the most part, and we’ve collaborated well together. We conduct weekly calls and communicate via email. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have environmental, social, and governance (ESG) knowledge and full awareness of what and when to say things. They also want to develop strong relationships, and we feel they want to get things right and provide high-quality work. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’re satisfied with what they’ve been doing. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about deadlines and continue checking in on those deadlines.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a flood solutions company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with R&G Strategic?

We wanted a new business website design, branding, and strategic thinking.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

R&G Strategic did web development, strategy, and branding for us. They did the site from scratch on WordPress using the content we provided. The site showcases and explains what we do and talks about our previous projects. Overall, they did a great job teaching us how to use the site, which was what I was hoping for.

Regarding the branding portion, they changed our color schemes on our website and did workshops for us to develop our purpose statements and values, among other marketing materials.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Sarah (Founder), April (Designer), and a social media specialist from their team.

How did you come to work with R&G Strategic?

They were referred to us through word of mouth. After an initial interview, they made a proposal, and they were the best firm by far in meeting our needs and sorting what we were looking for.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent around $25,000 CAD (approximately $19,000 USD) with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2011–June 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We received great feedback from our collaborators, had more website traffic, and they worked hard to avoid any issues.

How did R&G Strategic perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was great; they implemented a great system to let us know their current stand with the project. I also appreciated their approach, which was personable and professional — I needed some flexibility with the deadlines, and they acknowledged it.

Regarding tools, we used Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They cared and took the time to learn about our company’s culture and what we wanted to portray. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They did an extra task with our social media, and I felt they didn’t understand our industry very well, so that assignment didn’t meet our needs.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Fall all in and ensure a collaborative and open relationship with them.