Something about something that matters.
Name. Tagline. Mission. Campaigns. And every other thing you need ideated or articulated.
If you don't know where to begin, this is the best place to invest.
Discovery + Strategy provides inspiration for all following work. Think of it like tuning a guitar. When the guitar is tuned, it just plays. No off notes or wasted time. I will get to know your company on an intimate level, identifying areas of harmony and disconnect in the leadership team.
This work creates a level of buy-in that keeps your leaders moving forward. No more wasted meetings or dissension.
People
You choose the culture drivers in your company who will speak into the future. Then we start digging. Each individual is interviewed one-on-one in an open-ended format. *Pricing changes based on # individuals. In special cases, we may need more or less people than 3-7.
Personality
Grayword uses a proprietary blend of questions and exercises to clearly articulate the personality of the company, based on individual answers and commonalities. This persona is applied to a strategy map to get you empowered.
Purpose
We'll write your foundational statements as a company, or refine existing language, while measuring how accurate the words really are. We will compare what is said, versus what is written in belief, mission, and vision.
Pitches
Together, we will develop your 5, 15, and 30-second pitches that stand out to any audience and leave them wanting to know more. Memorable. Big picture. Long-lasting.
Have a strategy already? Let's get rolling.
Brand Naming
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4-5 unique names (non-iterative)
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Descriptor recommendations
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.com/.org available for purchase
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Rationale based on discovery findings
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Search engine/social handle search
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Corporate entity search
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Linguistic testing
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Plus a quick editing round
Values + Standards
We will develop simple, memorable internal values that hit all the marks. A culture fit is increasingly important to workplace excellence, and you can’t be there to guide every moment. With the right language, you can center your company's culture on shared values, instead of your own story and time.
Tagline
What is the simple, powerful idea you are going to put everywhere? My former client has Shockingly Smart™ for their tagline, and it is a launching point for so much more, both internally and externally. This option includes 4-5 unique taglines with open trademark, plus early direction on integrating across your marketing.
Campaigns
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3 campaign directions for a strong roll-out
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Aligned with company personality and tagline
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Different levels of funding requirements
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You pick the channels (social, web, print, etc.), and I create examples for proof of concept.
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5 additional hours of time included for guiding selected campaign direction
Need something else?
Concepts
I have been the idea engine for teams from my start as a junior until this very day. If you have video, social media, web or print in mind, but it needs a spark, I can provide ideation to support.
CEO Guidance
It's truly been an honor to work alongside so many CEOs, Board Chairs, and C-teams during my career. If you're stepping in as a new CEO, or trying to motivate your workforce, I'm a great sounding board for your key words.
Pitchdecks + Annual Reports
Clients of mine frequently request annual reports and pitch decks to raise funding and communicate the greater mission. Stakeholders and donors have increasingly high expectations for the heart-based language, but are jaded by flowery messaging that everyone uses. Let's make you stand out.
Website Work
Any foundational change often comes with reworks of an existing website or development of a new one. Once we complete the Discovery + Strategy phase, there’s no one better to help guide your words and flow. I can lead your wireframing, website content, and visual direction.
I work alongside a talented mix of web development partners who can deliver on the vision, whether big shift or small change.
Employee Handbooks
This is a natural follow-up to Discovery and Values work. Incoming employees need a clear introduction to the company’s heart. Not just the HR rules and expectations. Together, we can develop a handbook that says exactly who you are, in a quick, engaging, and memorable way. Training is just as valuable for the intangible culture of your team.
Agency Partnership
I’ve worked inside of and alongside agencies over the span of my career. You’ll find a true teammate in achieving your goals, who can adapt to your creative philosophies. I am open to partnership and white label opportunities on a case-by-case basis.
The exercises Chris took our team through were incredibly revealing and helped our team coalesce around who we really are and the things we seek to accomplish. What used to take a lot of words is distilled into key statements we use in explaining our mission and purpose.
NextEd
Chris has the uncanny ability to unearth the soul of a project. Most of us simply wordsmith, or design, or strategize. Chris manages to clarify something more vital which was nearly forgotten: the identity which motivates, creates a healthy culture, and builds a thriving brand.
King Grizzly
Chris has a magical approach to helping companies develop their brand and refine their story! He took our passion for leadership development and wove it into a finished product that really defines who we are and what value we bring to customers.
Leaders By Trade
We’ve always had a unique niche and vision, but were never able to quite put it into words—until we found Chris. We now have the right branding that says exactly who we are.
