As we look forward to our sixth year in business, we want to express our gratitude for all of the wonderful clients we have worked with during our first five years. We continue to appreciate the diversity of clients—learning as much from them as we hope they have learned from us as business strategy partners.

We have found that as our relationships have broadened into true long-term partnerships with many of our clients, we are not only helping them take advantage of market opportunities to grow, but we are also helping companies work through business challenges to achieve positive outcomes.

Throughout 2006, we had the privilege to work with some great leaders at Bella on the Bay, Black River Asset Management, Capitol Sales Company, Charles R. Stinson Architects, Cubicles Plus, Digineer, Fiber Composites, La Crosse Global Fund Services, Northwest Manufacturing, Target and United Subcontractors.

We’ve partnered with our clients through a range of business opportunities and challenges. Here are a few highlights from 2006:

• Worked closely with a company seeking a joint venture partner, helping develop a detailed business strategy and financial presentation including effective delivery of the presentation;
• Prepared a client for a highly successful interview with CNN anchor Mike O’Brien for a 3-minute feature that was broadcast twice on CNN American Morning;
• Interviewed a range of employees to further understand morale issues and assisted leaders in developing an action plan to improve the business environment;
• Strategically designed robust agenda and facilitated a 3-day meeting in Singapore with leaders from around the world to build common global processes and communications systems;
• Assisted in a significant internal communications restructure that improved communications performance while saving over $1 million in staffing costs;
• Wrote an annual report that repositioned a $3 billion dollar international corporation to tell its growth and performance story including the launch of a significant new brand;
• Developed a corporate communications department structure and conducted a national search to recruit the first VP of communications for a global client;
• Launched Six Sigma globally with a communication strategy that included a CEO video, a PowerPoint presentation and other launch tools;
• Created an entire brand identity and launched a new business with a range of marketing materials;
• Helped marketing leaders sharpen their sales presentation skills for soliciting new investors in their business;
• Launched a range of new products with public relations including national wire release, media pitching and trade show press;
• Provided communications support for the roll-out of significant organizational changes to improve team productivity within a U.S. distribution organization;
• Assisted a CEO in freshening his brand and developing a series of marketing materials for key audiences to help continue aggressively growing his business;
• Worked with a new Senior HR leader and her team to develop a business strategy presentation to CEO and Board of Directors;
• Helped an HR client develop a much more effective team structure along with tools and processes to work more effectively on benefits enhancements and changes;
• Wrote a range of speeches for different clients used in various internal and external meetings;
• Helped a CEO prepare for his annual meeting with employees to deliver a dynamic message about growth and recognize key employee accomplishments.

We are so excited to be looking forward to our next five years in business. We continue to pride ourselves in being nimble and responsive to our clients’ needs—whether it’s partnering to grow their businesses, solving a business problem or responding to a crisis. We’ll continue to remain personally involved in every aspect of the work we deliver, bringing our more than 40 years worth of business expertise to our clients.

We thank our clients for the opportunity to help them grow, enhance their industry reputation and continue to be effective leaders. 

Our warmest wishes for a happy and prosperous 2007.

Sincerely,

Barbara and Janell