IBM Corporate Citizenship Consulting
While a consultant at IBM, I wrote the content and designed the activities for five distinct "Impact" Grants for IBM's philanthropic division, Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs (CC&CA). These grants, which focused on Digital Marketing Strategy, Social Media Strategy and Planning, Social Media Strategy Accelerator, and Website User Experience Assessment, were awarded through a competitive selection process to numerous nonprofit and educational IBM partner organizations.
Each grant awarded commenced with comprehensive marketplace, audience and stakeholder research followed by a virtual kickoff meeting. Later, stakeholders participated in an in-person Design Thinking workshop including persona and user journey design, concept ideation and a list of prioritized next steps. The grants culminated in the development of a final roadmap for design and development and a presentation of the artifacts created during the workshop.
Digital Marketing
The Digital Marketing Strategy Grant was designed to help organizations understand the components of a marketing plan and formulate a digital marketing strategy. The engagement covered 7 components of a marketing plan while focusing on leading practices for audience-centric design, messaging and campaigns.
Clients: The Public Theater NY, Durham Public Schools, Oregon Food Bank, Charleston School District, North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Make a Wish Georgia, Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
Social Media
The Social Media Strategy and Planning Grant was designed to help an organization formulate a strategic plan for effectively managing their social media channels. It includes an expert assessment of the current channels including a review of current site analytics; and measurement of the impact and engagement of those channels. Workshop attendees learn about setting goals, audience identification and empathy, content creation, measurement, listening and an overview of tools used to manage social channels.
Clients: Bergen County United Way, Vermont Public Libraries, Wolf Trap Performing Arts, National Math Festival, North Carolina Association of Feeding America Food Banks
The Social Media Strategy Accelerator Grant was awarded to organizations with a demonstrated high-level of social media expertise. The grant explored advanced techniques to improve outcomes on social channels. This grant typically focused on one initiative, event or campaign. Workshop attendees work collaboratively to refine and improve their plans for their event or campaign.
Clients: Barbara Bush Houston Literary Foundation, Child Fund International, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, Junior Achievement of Oklahoma
Assessments
The Website User Experience Assessment Grant was developed to take a deep look at an organization’s primary website. The consultants conduct an heuristic evaluation of the website as well as an analysis of the site’s analytics. They document recommendations regarding the brand presence, look and feel, content quality and navigational structure. During a workshop the consultants discussed their findings and recommendations as well as developing personas and user journey maps.
Clients: National FFA, Georgia Gives, Lennox School District, United Way of Vermont, World Affairs Council, Better Business Bureau of NY Foundation
Custom grants provided specialized consulting services to address unique needs typically related to digital design, brand and communication.
Clients served: United States Diplomacy Center, The Gatehouse, Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Mohonk Preserve