At the end of our first year in business, we described how “proud and humbled” we were at our early success. Our second year-end message marked how “privileged” we were to be working with such fantastic clients. This year, as we bring 2004 to a close, we find ourselves continuing to be proud, humbled and privileged to have such wonderful client relationships. We’re blessed with the accomplishments we achieved, together, with our clients. Throughout the year, we continued to learn about new industries, develop stronger relationships and have more fun than we could have ever imagined. When you do what you love, it simply can’t be called “work.”

Throughout 2004, we partnered on several projects with Cargill, Target Corporation, Black River Global Fund Services and Wells Fargo. We provided services to H.B. Fuller, Schwan’s Consumer Brands North America, and Nuclear Management Company. We also teamed up with Northwest Manufacturing, Capitol Sales Company, Ramsey Town Center, Benchmark Development Corporation, Charles R. Stinson Architects, Cubicles Plus and Grand Central Lofts. As the year wrapped up, we began building new relationships with Lakeville Entertainment and Corrective Exercise Specialists.

If we were asked to provide a sound byte on what we were most proud of—we might highlight being honored with a Silver Quill from the International Association of Business Communicators for our marketing work to launch a billion urban village. Or, we might cite achievement of a significant front-cover story for a client in the Minneapolis Star Tribune or “helping” a client negotiate a successful first-time union contract with professional employees through a solid communications strategy. We’re just as proud of each one of our executive clients who confidently deliver speeches to large audiences as a result of skill-building through our personalized coaching program and getting key placements in industry-specific trade journals to help our clients raise awareness and grow their businesses.

We’ve highlighted some of our 2004 key accomplishments and organized them around our three practice areas:

Within our Strategic Business Planning Practice, we:

• produced a strategic labor negotiations plan to help a large company conclude contentious negotiations on a first-time contract with professional employees;
• developed a strategic marketing plan for a subsidiary of a multi-billion company as it prepared to launch into the financial services marketplace;
• designed and facilitated a business planning workshop to help an internationally-renowned architect client identify additional potential customer segments, and clarify the firm’s value proposition and strategic objectives;
• created an employee brand strategy launch plan for a Fortune 1000 company poised for tremendous growth;
• helped a client strategically assess the marketplace and name a new product;
• facilitated focus groups with potential home owners to help a developer client shape and create a new residential community;
• developed a brand identity for an urban loft-style development.

Within our Public Relations and Reputation Management Practice, we:

• led the media strategy at a tradeshow in the consumer electronics industry including press kit development and on-site media relations;
• conducted media training for a variety of clients;
• provided public relations counsel for several clients in preparation for media interviews;
• led the media strategy for a tradeshow in the home building industry including development of press materials and on-site media relations;
• coordinated editorial placement for a publication in Istanbul, Turkey;
• wrote a variety of media materials including press releases, technical articles, media advisories, case studies and advertorials; and
• served as PR agency of record for several clients and company spokesperson with national and local media.

Within our Leadership Effectiveness Practice, we:

• developed the strategy for and facilitated a three-day global leadership meeting for the subsidiary of privately-held multiple billion dollar company;
• helped an executive develop and implement a personal leadership plan;
• wrote a speech for an executive to deliver to the Board of Directors of a multi-billion dollar company;
• conducted primary employee research for a new executive to understand levels of engagement across North America;
• developed a due diligence presentation for a company to use with potential investors;
• created an employee communications plan for a global business in the financial services industry;
• developed a speech and accompanying PowerPoint presentation for an executive presentation at a national industry forum and coached for effective delivery;
• produced a series of employee publication and executive speech audits for a company with over 250,000 employees;
• developed a leadership coaching program for communication effectiveness for global leader based in Asia;
• delivered training for effective presentations;
• developed strategy for monthly global newsletter including translation into Spanish and Portugese;

Our fourth year begins with strong momentum and a variety of interesting new clients. We plan to stay true to our business model—we’ll remain personally involved in every aspect of the work we deliver, bringing our expertise of more than 40 years in business to our clients. We look forward to continuing to learn and have fun with our clients, while helping them become even more successful through bottom-line growth, a solid reputation in their industry and more effective leadership.

All the best to you in 2005,

Barbara and Janell