Alteris Group > Solutions

Client Solutions

We look at every situation our clients face as an opportunity. It's a chance for us to begin the diligent process of learning all we can about the issue at hand and the equally involved process of taking that knowledge, applying real insight and developing a solution. These solutions often become the bridge that links products to customers, corporate office to field sales force, or product benefits to measurable sales improvements.

Here are some examples of how we've effectively bridged the gap between marketplace realities and performance goals.

Explore the boxes below to review a summary of each solution.

Developing Customer Understanding to Increase Sales

Client SituationWhen a company dramatically expands its services, educating salespeople on the new offerings often must take place at exactly the same time customers are being told about them.

Insight/SolutionAn expanded line of services provided the opportunity to create an engaging tool used by salespeople and customers alike. It took form as a fully illustrated binder, whose hinged-nature turned it into a self-standing countertop display. Technical information was presented in an easy-to-digest manner that utilized both visual graphics and narrative text.

Ultimate ResultsThe finished product led to greater knowledge among customers in the importance of having the new services performed. This sales tool now resides on the front counter of some 1,750 service centers in the U.S. and Canada. Less than a year after delivery, a second phase was requested, covering a new range of services and added seamlessly to the original resource.

Mentoring Program

Client SituationThe importance of mentoring was well recognized, but a consistent process for implementing it and measuring its effectiveness was needed.

Insight/Solution Our analysis discovered that time constraints and a fear of "not knowing" how to mentor prevented effective mentoring from taking place throughout the organization. This insight led to our solution - a straightforward, accessible mentoring process, supported with simple tools designed to ease stress and reduce preparation time for mentors. The new process also included feedback tools for both mentors and "mentees" to measure the effectiveness of the process and the relationship. The key resource was a Mentoring Guide that included timelines, best practices and proven techniques.

Ultimate ResultsThe program quickly became popular, mainly due to its ease of use. It was so effective, so quickly, that it was soon expanded into other areas of the company.

Brand Immersion

Client SituationA company's brand as an image leader provides a strong foundation. However, to build on that foundation requires that all employees support its key attributes in ways that are consistent with the overall identity.

Insight/Solution

We began with a process that discovered gaps in employee knowledge in several key areas:

The differences between "on" and "off" brand behavior
How to manage a client relationship when client behavior is off-brand
The personal and organizational implications of off-brand behavior

The solution took form in a half-day On-Brand Behavior workshop where each gap was addressed by case studies. Facilitated discussions also took place with company leaders and problem-solving took hold around challenging client situations.

Ultimate ResultsParticipants gained valuable insights into their role as brand ambassadors. Perhaps the greatest value, however, came through the frank discussions about the company and the value of its brand that each session invariably generated. What began as a solution for one division has now been rolled out throughout the company.

Company Calendar

Client SituationFor a company that is expanding within a global marketplace, a key to success is engaging individual employees around the world and ensuring that they value, understand and embrace their growing diversity.

Insight/SolutionA growing mix of cultures can be shared and celebrated, not just by the executives who travel to the various offices, but by employees at facilities all around the world. Here, we created two customized solutions that helped everyone embrace a new global mindset:

A global calendar that incorporated the languages, holidays and key cultural icons from all 15 countries where facilities are located
A two-dimensional character known as "Diversity Dan," who literally traveled the world and was photographed in every country along the way. His itinerary and adventures provided an interesting sidebar included in the calendar's design

Ultimate ResultsThis high-quality piece has quickly become an annual "tradition" - now entering its third edition and distributed to all employees. In one version, pictures of local facilities added to the diversity message. Regardless of the treatment, the result is a growing recognition in the value of being part of a globally diverse company.

Product-Rich Microsite

Client SituationAn engineering based company with technical products faces a common marketing challenge: How to engage "high-level" customers while providing enough technical information to convince engineering and purchasing customers of the deep level of product quality.

Insight/SolutionOur solution developed a two-pronged approach - web-based banner ads to communicate high-level messages and the ability to directly link to a product-rich microsite for deeper product-based insights and messages. The microsite included product illustrations, video animation, and video interviews with key engineers to dramatize the product story.

Ultimate ResultsThe campaign allowed the client to measure its success in the form of documented "click-throughs" that each banner ad generated. A secondary benefit was the sharing of product expertise internally throughout the company - helping everyone gain a better understanding for the engineering passion and integrity inherent.

Corporate Citizenship Report

Client SituationHow can the "good citizen" aspects of a company be brought to life in a way that complements the tangible advantages of the products it manufacturers?

Insight/SolutionThis 60-page brochure provided a first-ever presentation of the company's culture, environmental commitment, diversity and ethics. High-quality photography set up each section in an impactful, consistent manner. For the client and its stakeholders, it showed how key corporate values can be nurtured with the same level of attention normally given to more "traditional" products.

Ultimate ResultsThis well-received corporate report turned the company's citizenship efforts into a valuable selling asset. The sum of all the content areas presented an impressive story, especially to stakeholders interested in associating with a company that takes business ethics, an environmental commitment and corporate-giving seriously.

Product Marketing Launch Process

Client SituationOur client wanted to avoid "reinventing the wheel" every time a new product is launched and to benefit from a more consistent process that could maximize launch budgets.

Insight/SolutionWe captured the most effective aspects of the many processes in place (many were not documented) and facilitated small-group sessions to forge agreement on common approaches. The solution that emerged was a fully articulated launch process, with timelines and tools to guide team members.

Ultimate ResultsTeam members across all disciplines now have a common route to success, complete with timelines and a visual representation of how each step contributes to the overall process. New product launches are now being implemented in a consistent manner that is both more efficient and more effective.

Brand Identity Campaign

Client SituationHow can a small, emerging company present an image that allows it to be viewed on equal footing with the larger OEMs that make up its customer base?

Insight/SolutionOur belief is that a strong brand image and compelling selling messages can be presented by companies of all sizes. That belief took hold in this integrated set of product marketing materials and corporate messages - developed for a client with a strong product line but without an existing brand identity.

Ultimate ResultsThe finished materials presented the cohesive, high-quality image the company was looking to establish. All elements - corporate brochure, product launch video, and product spec sheets - were produced quickly and in a manner reflective of the company's innovative spirit and technical expertise. In addition, the pieces were designed to allow new products to be incorporated without having to reprint existing materials.

Learning Maps

Client SituationA new business model, essential to our client's growth and future, was about to be implemented. This presented a real need to gain buy-in and commitment throughout the organization and from thousands of franchisees as well.

Insight/SolutionThe challenge was attacked from both a strategic and tactical level - leading to the development of a variety of solutions:

A learning map to engage stakeholders in discussion about the new business model. The map graphically depicted the reasons for change and how implementation would take place. Additional maps were created to support important milestones in the change process
Process definition and implementation to assure that critical aspects of the new business model could be easily implemented by franchisees
Business consulting process and tools for use by corporate representatives to assist and support franchisees in implementing the required new practices
Point-of-sale materials to communicate the new services available and to assist employees in describing the benefits to their customers

Ultimate ResultsExecutives within corporate headquarters gained the understanding needed to buy-into the vision. Franchisees understood where they resided on the continuum of change and had the tools and processes to effectively move their businesses forward - positively impacting the franchisor organization. Several years later, the tools and processes are still being utilized and the business is moving forward.

Global Announcement Video

Client SituationHow can a company expand globally while still maintaining cohesiveness and a common culture among its employees?

Insight/SolutionBy leveraging our in-house creative and video capabilities, we executed a global announcement video where executive messages were delivered in multiple languages, helping our client communicate their expanding global presence. More importantly, the announcement itself became a unifying action based on how the company embraced its diversity and worldwide footprint.

Ultimate ResultsFacilitating an approach featuring on-screen translations in Japanese and English helped set the tone for the integrated nature of the new partnership. As a result, employees were able to embrace the change and the opportunity it represented.