R&G Strategic

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a new nonprofit organization. Our mission is to assist energy management organizations to attract and advance mid-career women to executive positions. We want to put gender equality at the heart of the global transition to a clean energy future. I'm director of communications and a founding board member.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We needed brand assets as we got started. Those included a logo, a website, and other collateral to help us present the organization in a professional way.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created our logo and helped establish our branding. They provided a great proposal, and their process was very thorough. We come from different backgrounds and perspectives, and we appreciated their guidance. They built a mood board to get a sense of the tone and look that we wanted. We made a few changes, but they were very efficient.

What is the team composition?

Our main points of contact were their two founders.

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

They were recommended by another company we trusted. We were attracted by their alignment to our mission and objectives. They're a women-led and founded organization, and we were keen to collaborate with them.

How much have you invested with them?

The value of the project was about $3,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2019, and they delivered everything by November 2019. The process was very quick.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The process was very collaborative, and we got a product we were really happy with. We just received all the deliverables, so we don't have any metrics yet. They gave us great options, and they were very involved throughout the project.

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

We had multiple video conferences with them, and they delivered everything on time. They made time to meet with us, and they worked hard to deliver what we wanted. They were patient, fabulous partners, and we always knew what to expect. They were great with timelines, and they really listened to us. Their energy was great, and they were fun to work with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their commitment to our goals was excellent. The whole leadership team participated in the project, and they brought a very professional marketing process to their work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They met all our needs, and I don't have anything they could improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open to their process and their stewardship of the creative process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a marketing and communications specialist at Metamaterial Technologies Inc. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We designed an eyewear and we wanted to create a brand for it. Our marketing team was very small, so we needed a vendor to help us with branding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, R&G Strategic designed a unique logo for us. They worked closely with our in-house team and came up with different variations until we found the one that best represented our brand. Then, they helped us choose colors, developed brand guidelines, and created collateral and pull-up banners that we could use to advertise our product at trade shows. They dug deep into what our competitors were using in order to help us find a way to stand out. They also put together brochures and pamphlets and helped us with content creation.

What is the team composition?

We mostly worked with two people from their team—one was in charge of the graphic design and another one was responsible for the research.

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

I saw the work they had done for other companies and was impressed. They had experience with both big brands and start-ups, including other companies in our industry, so we decided they'd be a great fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $10,000–$12,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in December 2018, and the project was completed in March 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We received very positive feedback from our internal team. Everyone who is working on this product, including our engineers, likes the look and vibe of the logo. Our partners are also very pleased with the outcome.

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

They were very professional and organized. They met every single deadline, some of which were a little tight. We used a Slack channel, email, and phone to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Everything that I've already mentioned makes them a great partner.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they're amazing at what they do and I hope they'll continue to grow. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the outreach coordinator for a Montreal initiative called #PledgeToLead. We’re a group of climate change researchers at Concordia University, and we’re building a platform to help individuals reduce their carbon footprint.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We lacked the resources to create an attractive and user-friendly design for our platform. We engaged R&G Strategic for their design services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We envisioned a platform with features such as a carbon footprint calculator, questionnaires, and action suggestions. We also wanted to incorporate incentives to encourage users to stay on the website longer. 

R&G Strategic laid out the platform’s flow and user experience. They helped us arrange buttons, pages, web content, and navigation. Their team then delivered full designs of three separate web pages and wireframes. They also created the basics of our brand: our logo, brand guidelines, a color palette, and a sample set of five icons with different colorations. They even included the Adobe Illustrator files for specific images. 

These designs will go to our internal web developer who will create the platform as a web and mobile application.

What is the team composition?

We work with Riley (Director of Strategy, R&G Strategic) and Liz (Creative Director, R&G Strategic). Liz is our primary point of contact because she’s in charge of the design. They rely on a larger team behind the scenes.

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

We initially reached out to local design firms, but it was hard to find a good fit. We had budget constraints and wanted to work with a vendor that supports our mission. We then searched in Google for branding firms that specialize in sustainability. R&G Strategic was one of the first to pop up. Our first meeting with Riley confirmed that they were a perfect match for our project.    

How much have you invested with them?

We spent over $12,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2018, and the project is ongoing. R&G Strategic has delivered their design materials and now operates in a support role. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re still in early development, but our team has responded positively to R&G Strategic’s designs and branding materials. 

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

We’re very happy with the team’s level of communication and organization. They respond quickly to questions and emails. They have also taken the lead on the project, allowing us to focus on outside priorities. We hold meetings through a conference call application that lets us screen share and show work.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

R&G Strategic is invested in the project and its success. Even though their role is largely over, their team still suggest new ideas and ways to improve the platform development. Also, despite being a small client with a limited budget, we still receive close attention from their leadership. Our relationship has developed into a real partnership, which we’re thrilled to see.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not that I can think of. Any issues that came up were addressed quickly at each stage. We’re highly satisfied with our engagement.

Any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be afraid to critique their work. We found it valuable to provide detailed feedback at every stage of the process. R&G Strategic responds positively to it as well.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of energy and clean climates for Clean Foundation. Our nonprofit environmental organization has been around since 1988. Our many programs range from energy efficiency and clean energy to education in schools on environment issues, watershed restoration, and helping youth get jobs in the green sector. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We had an opportunity to work with R&G Strategic and the Department of Energy to create a Solar Assist; a one-stop website were homeowners in Nova Scotia can learn about available programs to install solar panels. It helps people figure out if their house is a good candidate and shows potential savings. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

R&G Strategic took the lead on the design and coordinated discovery sessions with key solar energy experts. They conducted additional research and interviewed many notable industry leaders in Nova Scotia to define the key elements we needed for our website. 

From there, they conceptualized the branding and logo and created wireframes. They met with our team and the Department of Energy continuously. Based on that data, they developed graphs which we worked together to refine. Our interactive site lets users enter information about their home. Specific resources from R&G Strategic created the algorithms and calculations in the background for this input. 

Since the very beginning, they've been fantastic to work with. The team kept closely involved through the final design stages. We're very close to launching at this point.

What is the team composition? 

We work with three primary teammates from R&G Strategic. I have no doubt they had other resources in the background helping us. They offered a great value for our investment and were fully engaged in our project. 

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

One of my colleagues met the team at an event during a conference on global sustainability. They really clicked and had great discussions. After coming back, he told us their PR agency was very attuned to client needs, focused on environmental. They seemed like a great partner. 

In addition, we work closely with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and had already started a collaborative partnership. When I met with them in person, I realized I had worked with Sarah (Director of Strategy, R&G Strategic) when she was with a different agency. I had been very happy with her work. This combination of factors led us to believe that they were the right fit. 

How much have you invested with them?

The total cost was approximately $70,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We had our first meeting for this project in May 2018, and our site is about to launch. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since our site isn't live yet, we can’t predict the reaction. The users who tested the website gave us excellent feedback. R&G Strategic was very involved in getting people to try it. We will have more metrics once we have more users, like how many people get software contractors to assess their property and give quotes and how many apply to the various rebate programs. 

Our organization established such a good dynamic with R&G Strategic that we've already started working together on another possible interactive website solutions. Internally, we've had a positive experience, and we plan to continue our partnership. 

As an environmental charity, it was lovely to find a PR agency that's focused on sustainability issues. I've found that rare throughout my long-term career in marketing. They're very keen on the topic and care about the solutions we're implementing. We formed a great working relationship. R&G Strategic jumped in with both feet and was fully engaged in our project. 

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

R&G Strategic clearly laid out the project based on each partners' needs, including the Department of Energy. They keep us notified of anything we need to provide them. We have regular check-ins, and they've shown strong project management skills. Usually, we interact face to face with some online meetings via UberConference. We use Google Docs to share information and collaborate on content writing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

R&G Strategic's strong focus on environmental and sustainability issues makes them unique. At a deeper level, they're interested in more long-term environmental solutions than just recycling programs. They're interested in the circular economy, which is similar interest as ours. 

R&G Strategic is an extremely pleasant, fun, patient, and funny team to work with. Few other PR agencies I've seen form as active of a collaboration as they did. We're grateful that they've truly treated us like a partner. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not at this time. This was our first project together, so we will have more perspective after the site launch. We've found R&G Strategic very strong and haven't identified any deficiencies. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I suggest having thorough conversations with R&G Strategic. If you put all your needs and hopes on the table, they will be quite receptive. They put the end user experience first and foremost, which is not a concept every nonprofit understands. They work backward from the customer, which is the approach I take as well. It's always the best way. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the Director of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability for Galaxy Resources. We are a lithium-mining company that services the clean-technology space by providing our product to the lithium-ion battery space, supporting the production of electric vehicles and battery storage.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

To ensure we produced our report in a timely manner using innovative industry practices with respect to design and copy, we decided to bring in an outside vendor to help us with the production of our first sustainability report. R&G Strategy is a noted leader in the space and has done an outstanding job at showing the hard work Galaxy has contributed to the sustainability space globally.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

R&G Strategy was hired to help provide strategic direction, copy and design for the sustainability report. We collaborated to find a balance between some new and more innovative reporting concepts while keeping in mind our audience in the mining space. We will receive 2018 data soon and plan to complete the report in Q1 2019.

What is the team composition?

Our team consists of Sarah (Director of Strategy, R&G Strategic), Liz (Director of Design, R&G Strategic), and Andrew (Junior Brand Strategist, R&G Strategic).

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

I was familiar with Sarah’s work in communications and interest in the sustainability space prior to her starting R&G Strategic. I was keen to work with her directly given my knowledge of her exceptional communications skills. As I continued to work with the team, I was quick to realize (not surprisingly), that she hired staff that were equally as competent—there is an incredible talent base to draw from at R&G Strategy.

What is the status of this engagement?

Initial discussions began in February 2018. The final report is anticipated to be published in Q1 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

R&G Strategic was able to take initial ideas and concepts for the report and produce a draft that we as a company are proud to stand behind. It really highlights who Galaxy is as a company today and where we want to go moving forward. From copy to design, R&G Strategic has done an exceptional job at execution.

We will continue our relationship with R&G Strategic for 2019 and are currently evaluating a wider scope of services due to the fact that they have consistently delivered work that exceeds our expectations.

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

They excel at project management and have done an excellent job at helping organize the team (including myself), and mass amounts of data throughout the development process. The team is always available, including working on weekends and evenings when necessary. They have an efficient and professional work ethic. We primarily speak via phone call, email, Slack, or an online webinar platform.

What did you find most impressive about them?

R&G Strategic do their background research. They brought excellent, new and innovative ideas for consideration to the table. These suggestions are based on emerging trends in the sustainability field.

Are there any areas they could improve?

To date, we have no complaints. From concept to current execution, they have been exceptional.

Any advice for potential customers?

They are industry experts—as such, I would go in with your ideas, but be open to suggestion as they are on the cutting edge in terms of both copy and design.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of stakeholder engagements for Efficiency Canada, an advocacy group for energy efficiency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

As a startup nonprofit, we wanted to establish a brand identity that was professional, fun, and modern. We had to ramp up quickly to create the brand ahead of our launch event.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The project started with a discovery session to review our existing visuals, which we didn’t love. R&G Strategic then refreshed our logo to convey our intended message to our audience; two part-time resources created the new logo. Other branded deliverables included letterhead, PowerPoint templates, and business cards. Since we use an affiliated university’s logo on most collateral, the school had to approve each item.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Sarah (Director of Strategy, R&G Strategic) and Liz (Director of Design, R&G Strategic).

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

I had worked with one of R&G Strategic’s employees seven years ago. Based on that experience, I jumped at the opportunity to work with this team. Their industry knowledge was an advantage because energy efficiency is difficult to capture via visuals.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them between September–October 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team hit the ground running. In 20 years, I’ve never worked with such an organized team that produced high-quality results in such a quick turnaround. The launch event had 300 attendees and a high-profile speaker from the Canadian government. During the event, the branding—banners and PowerPoints—looked polished and made us appear as an established organization, even though we were one month old. As a result of the success, a high-ranking government official invited my supervisor to appear on their video blog. That invitation was one example of how we’ve forged new contacts and relationships with government officials.

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

R&G Strategic was a pleasure to work with. The partnership was remote, but that was never an issue. The team included several working groups that handled multiple last-minute changes. They were responsive and ever had problems with our requests. We used Slack and a conference call tool.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their experience, professionalism, and turnaround times were unmatched. Deliverables were nearly perfect the first time, and the team was always open to constructive feedback. Liz wanted to do whatever it took to fulfill the customer’s needs because client satisfaction is her number-one priority. What’s more, R&G did research to stay current with industry trends. That practice enabled them to understand our competitor and allies’ brand terminology. Without that knowledge, they couldn’t have produced such accurate work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clients should use Slack with them because most organizations are moving toward the tool.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a program development coordinator at Nourish Nova Scotia, which is a nonprofit organization that aims to support schools in helping raise healthy learners through school nourishment programs and food literacy education.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We determined that our website was not meeting the needs of the individuals we intend to serve. We have a very resource-rich website, but many of our partners found it difficult to navigate to find the resources that they needed. We contracted with R&G Strategic for website development and design services to alleviate these problems.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The new website is hosted on Squarespace, and they are training us quite a bit so that we can manage it ourselves. We stressed the importance of visitors being able to easily find and download large PDF files detailing our different programs. Further, we now have the ability to track who is downloading specific content. Overall, we wanted a more approachable website to present our information.

What is the team composition?

We have worked directly with Liz, their director of design, as well as some of their designers, Andrew and Grace, who have been leading the work. Their director of strategy, Sarah, has been in constant contact with us to make sure the project runs smoothly. We feel very well-supported by R&G.

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

They do a lot of work focusing on sustainability and environmental projects, and I think food and nutrition fall into those categories. We believed they had similar core values as us.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent $10,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in July 2018, and we expect the website to be completed and by the end of August 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Although we haven’t launched yet, I can report that our program team and our partners are excited to see the revitalization of these program resources and the way they’re going to be showcased. Our partnerships will be strengthened because of this upgrade.

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

They are friendly and professional. We’re in the same city, so they make it easy to meet in person. They have been very clear with their expectations for deliverables and timeline estimates since we met, and we haven’t strayed from those. Grace, the lead designer, has been a very prompt communicator.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I think their core values have made them a unique and attractive organization to us. With our tight budget, we had to go into this endeavor with an organization we trusted, and they have proven to be trustworthy and respectful.

Any advice for potential customers?

We found it valuable to trust their experience. They have provided us with incredible insight from their industry. We learned to trust their skills and knowledge.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Mayfair Tree Care. Our primary function is providing arborist services such as removing trees, limb trees, stump grinding, and wood removal when necessary.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We had moved to the Maritimes from Montreal, Quebec after taking over and incorporating a company. We needed to move our things from French into English as well as rebrand our entire company to accommodate the area we moved into.

I had hired a company prior to them but had to let them go after three months as I had nothing and we weren’t moving forward.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially had nothing except for black trailers and black trucks. We needed the work done quickly and started from a baseline of what we needed for which area, what we needed to put out there for people, and also what represented our company the best. Our approach uses the least amount of machinery possible, with a lot more human power. They were able to grasp that concept and did an amazing job with it.

We looked at several logos to get a sense of what we liked. We gravitated towards one type of look which gave them an idea of where we wanted to be, so they took it from there. They worked on our logo, branding, business cards, as well as a website. When it came to the website, they built it from scratch. We provided them with information about the services we provide, some photographs of our team at work, and they created everything from that. They made sure to give us several options to pick from for what suited us best and related to our type of business.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Sarah (Director of Strategy, R&G Strategic), Andrew (Junior Brand Strategist, R&G Strategic), and Grace (Graphic Designer, R&G Strategic). Andrew worked on the website side of things, while Grace took care of more of the logo work.

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

I was referred to them by another company who was extremely happy with their services. We got in touch with Sarah and spoke a little bit about getting started on this project and the challenges we had. I was a little hesitant at first, but they've been fantastic and you can see the difference in the professionalism. From the first meeting point to the final product, it was all really well done.

How much have you invested in them?

We've invested around $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them this year. It took approximately three weeks from start to finish.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It was a really pleasant process and they were all fantastic. I was pleasantly surprised at how fun the process was getting our company branded and logos made. We're extremely happy and I'm so shocked because I didn’t know it could be that good. Customers are visiting the website, looking at things, and liking it.

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

We spoke to them in person and on the phone. They were fantastic. As they went through the steps, they gave us a timeline for things that included what we would submit and what they would show us. They were great and stayed on time with everything. They were patient with me because I was in the field a couple of times and had some trouble providing them with a few things they needed. They gave me the extra day and were still able to deliver on time, which was really cool.

What did you find most impressive about them?

As a customer, the attention you receive is impressive because they take the time to talk to you. They would send me bits and pieces along the way to make sure it was what I was looking for. I felt they understood what we were trying to achieve, even though we didn’t really understand it ourselves 100%. They did a way better job with the information than we could have done. Our business isn’t something that everyone does and trying to get a grasp on what we actually do and portraying that in the logo and branding is impressive.

After what we have been through before, we were really floored by the difference in a professional and cohesive team working together, as well as by the cost.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would highly recommend them and would use them again in a heartbeat. It was a fantastic experience.

Company Responses

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a senior manager at EfficiencyOne Services, an industry-leading energy efficiency service provider. Our company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EfficiencyOne, the company that runs all the energy efficiency programs in Nova Scotia. We operate Canada's first energy efficiency utility and market the expertise we've developed locally to a broader client base.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We had rather ambitious sales targets this year. We contracted R&G to develop a sales strategy to meet or exceed our sales targets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

R&G Strategic figured out the tactics and mechanics to help us reach our goals. Specifically, they helped us identify how to bring a couple of our more prominent opportunities to a close. After we agreed on the scope of work, they developed and submitted to us a proposal that we could use to apply for federal government funding. R&G Strategic was great to cooperate with the program’s requirements.

What is the team composition? 

Our main point of contact with Sarah (Director of Strategy, R&G Strategic) We also engaged quite a bit with Christa (Lead Strategic, R&G Strategic) In a meeting or two, Andrew (Junior Brand Strategist, R&G Strategic) was involved as well. The experience with the whole team was fantastic. 

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

We found them through a referral by an internal colleague of mine who knew Sarah from when she used to work with our parent company’s partner marketing agency. They’d become friends through professional exposure that fostered mutual respect. I asked if R&G Strategic offered sales strategy, and she said it was worth reaching out. They came highly recommended for their professionalism and robust marketing services.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our project with R & G Strategic lasted from April to May of this year, notwithstanding the period when we were having preliminary conversations before they submitted the proposal and we secured the federal funding.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our partnership has provided a relatively easy-to-follow road map. We're confident that this engagement is going to help us reach our revenue targets for the year. I’m incredibly impressed with the final product. That positive sentiment is shared by our entire in-house team, including the general manager. Before the project, I’d met with the lead a few times, so I felt confident they'd deliver. 

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

I met with our main point of contact a couple of times before bringing her into the broader team. R&G Strategic was extraordinarily responsive and adaptive to our timelines. When they sent us a draft report, for example, I had some clarifying questions about how to translate their ideas into practical terms for my business. R&G Strategic adapted to my needs and quickly provided specific examples. I don't mean that to suggest that the material was difficult to interpret. In areas where I needed a bit more clarity, they accommodated me.

What did you find most impressive about them?

R&G Strategic's subject matter expertise, customer service, and responsiveness are second to none. I continued to be impressed with their ability to manage the process and with the final product itself.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Mara Renewables Corporation develops microbial technologies to make renewable oils. We take microorganisms from the ocean to the lab, optimize them, and make oil with them. This oil is a renewable source of oil and we make different products with it. One product is a nutritional application for human consumption that could be used for medicinal assets for humans and animals. We’re looking at making these renewable oils for fuel applications. We want to be part of the solution of using the renewable sources for energy. We use science to create products and optimize technology in a sustainable manner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

For the first generation of our website, we used a different company. Although a good piece of work, the website content was no longer relevant.

The last few years, we were focused on developing the core of the company. Taking our technologies from the lab level to a commercial level to sell a product was new to us. We had a website, but it no longer reflected what we are doing now. It used to show that we were an R&D company. Now that we’re selling, our customers said our website didn’t accurately reflect our company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They designed promotional materials like flyers, and we liked their work, so we proceeded with the work with the website. They redesigned the website based on our business vision, mission, and goals.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people. One or both of them came to our location for discussions. Sarah (Director of Strategy, R&G Strategic) handled design, communication style, and content. Liz (Director of Design, R&G Strategic) handled the design elements, colors, and art.

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

Our company shopped around and found them online. We contacted 3–4 companies. It was very important to us that we have access and interaction with the people doing the work with us. We were lucky that R&G Strategic is near us and could have face-to-face interaction.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $10,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from September 2017–February 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback. There’s more traffic on the website and more questions from the public. It’s helped a lot.

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

They were very good at delivering on time. They were very good at responding right away. If there was an error, they fixed it within minutes. They’re adaptable to our requests.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were very good at listening to the message and transforming it into very understandable information. We’re mostly scientists so we want to put absolutely everything there. They filtered what we wanted to communicate into something that the public would understand. They were very good presenting options to us. Although they heard a lot of overwhelming information, they were patient and very good at distilling the core message and better communicating it.

I’m convinced we made the right decision in choosing them. It was a pleasure working with them. They’re very likeable people.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We set up a tight timeline. They were delivering on time, but we needed more time to provide the materials they needed. We had to tell them to wait and not ask again for the materials, and they listened.

We had some different perspectives on the selection of the art and photos for the website. They could have been a little more flexible and willing to try a different concept or color. It was a minor thing.