MARKET
RESEARCH STUDIES AND WHITE PAPERS
Spencer
Stuart
"Tier One Talent: Investment Strategies for Human
Capital: A Study of Portfolio Company Leadership for Venture
Capital and Private Equity Industries"
This thought leadership market
study was one of six that Block led for executive search
firm Spencer Stuart's Technology, Communications &
Media practice. The study was co-sponsored by the National
Venture Capital Associating (NVCA), with whom we developed
a strong alliance. We electronically surveyed over 2,400
NVCA members, conducted email and telemarketing campaigns
and invited specific executives to attend a breakout session
at the NVCA annual conference in San Francisco.
Rick Smith, director and study co-sponsor presented study
top line findings to a standing-room-only crowd. We ended
up with over 30 qualified lead. Through this project we
established over 80 relationships with VCs and portfolio
company CEOs. Over the next year, the initiative generated
over $1 million in new client engagements.
"Will
You Be Ready?"
Block cultivated a strategic
alliance with the Telecommunications Industry Association
(TIA) and we collaborated on a research study of the communication
systems and communication services markets. We used digital
copies of the study as part of an email campaign to make
contact with and secure telephone and face-to-face meetings
with clients and prospects. The project generated over
$250k incremental revenue.
“Easing
Out the Founder: Managing a Successful Founder/CEO Transition”
This market study included interviews
with a number of high-tech startup founders and CEOs.
Wrote the copy, designed and produced a slide presentation
that summarizes the study’s key findings and highlights
the strategies for a successful handoff. Study findings,
the final paper and press mentions were used to successfully
position the firm and Scott Gordon, Partner and leader
of the Internet Specialty Practice, as a thought leader
in Silicon Valley and in national media.
“Mastering
CRM: The latest technology, the right leadership team,
effectively managing change – all of that and more”
The purpose of this study, driven
by Spencer Stuart’s Direct & Interactive Marketing
Specialty Practice with support from the Technology, Communication
& Media Practice, was to better understand the elements
required for CRM success. Led all research and writing,
created the opening “scene” on page three
and also devised and created the “CRM Toolkit”
on pages 17-18 to help companies ensure a successful CRM
implementation.
“How
Sales Leadership Differentiates Top-Tier Software Companies”
Led research study sponsored by the firm’s Software
Specialty Practice Group to learn about the differences
between the most successful software companies and their
competitors. In other words, what distinguishes leaders
of the pack? The study uncovered that that sales leadership,
above all else, is the key differentiator. The white paper
offered candid snapshot on the thinking, approach and
best practices in sales leadership at top software companies.
Lee
Hecht Harrison
EXECUTIVE
AND CREATIVE BRIEFS
Spencer Stuart
“Emerging
Company Boards Survey”
Spencer Stuart’s study on emerging
company boards uncovers what emerging company board directors
in the technology and life science industries are thinking
and what leading practices are shaping corporate governance
today.
“Will
You Be Ready?” Research Study Creative Brief
This is one example of a creative brief
that was developed for each of the market research projects
that Block led for Spencer Stuart’s Technology,
Communications & Media Practice. The brief outlines
project objectives and highlights “what, who and
when” in the following sections: Initiative, Internal
sponsors, Study target audience, Business goals, Key communications
and messaging, Marketing communications/creative program
components, Draft schedule, and Budget.
The brief highlights this executive search firm’s
study on how organizations are planning and managing their
CSR executive leadership needs now and going forward.
The white paper will describe the skill-set and competencies
required for a C-level CSR executive to successfully perform
and help an organization achieve its CSR objectives and
will also include a summary of CSR best practices.
BROCHURES
AND COMPANY BACKGROUNDERS
HNCL
Search
Wrote
all copy and designed this brochure for the HNCL Search
consultants to use in direct and email campaigns to secure
participation in the market study on Corporate Social
Responsibility.
Oracle
Oracle Retail Brochure
Block teamed with Retek Information Systems to draft oversee
copy writing of brochure. The piece was distributed at
RISCON ‘98 Conference (Retail Information Systems
Conference) to secure interest in Oracle Retail’s
industry application. Oracle Retail garnered the greatest
attention, buzz and booth traffic at the conference.
Meridian Builders & Developers, Inc.
Meridian Builders &
Developers Tri-fold Brochure
Wrote the copy, selected the photos and helped design
page layout for brochure. Our goal: increase visibility
for this woman-owned construction company. Meridian achieved
remarkable PR visibility following Block’s PR pitch
to Sunset magazine: they chose Meridian to build the magazine’s 2007
San Francisco Idea House, their
greenest Idea House ever!
Click on this image to watch "Living
Green," TV coverage on San Francisco Ch. 7 KGO’s
"The View from the Bay." The broadcast featured
Robin Wilson, President and General Contractor, Meridian
Builder & Developers and a tour of the
2007 San Francisco Idea House.
Jeff
King & Company
Created
brand messaging, interviewed clients for testimonial and
wrote
copy for company backgrounder.
CASE
STUDIES
Block
crafted two case studies for executive search firm Spencer
Stuart, which included interviews with high-profile industry
executives and client endorsements.
Spencer Stuart
“Advancing
Growth through Leadership”
Block interviewed Anthony Perkins, former
Chairman, Red Herring Communications. Includes quotes
by Hilary A. Schneider, former Red Herring CEO, and Steve
Brooks, Managing Director, Broadview Partners.
Block interviewed Rick White, former U.S.
Congressman and former CEO, TechNet, a bipartisan, political
network of CEOs and Senior Executives that promotes the
growth of technology and the innovation economy. Includes
quotes by Jim Barksdale, former Netscape CEO; and venture
capitalist John Doerr.
ARTICLES
Meridian
Builders & Developers, Inc.
Eco design goes glam in San Francisco
i
Sunset
created an Idea House in San Francisco that, for the first
time, took the magazine's Idea House Program into a dense
urban area and demonstrated how to maximize construction
on a compact site.
The Mission District home is one of the first LEED (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design) certified residential
remodeled homes in the nation. In the U.S., LEED certification
is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability.
Key features in the three-story remodeled home included
a spa and exercise space which opens onto an entertainment
patio, a dramatic glass and steel staircase, and an urban
roof garden on top of the garage.
Lee Hecht Harrison
“Board
Leadership: A Mandate to Develop Future Leaders”
Block researched and ghostwrote this article
for the firm’s Leadership Consulting Practice and
secured placement in Directors Monthly, a publication
of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).
The project included securing and conducting interviews
with high-profile corporate executives – e.g., John
E. Pepper, former chairman of the board and CEO, the Procter
& Gamble Company and Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Senior Associate
Dean for Executive Programs, Yale School of Management,
and founder and president of The Chief Executive Leadership
Institute.
PR COMMUNICATIONS
PLAN
Spencer Stuart
Spencer Stuart Technology
and Communications Practice
PR Communications Plan
Block worked with Ogilvy PR to
build the PR Communications Plan for this executive
search firm's Technology and Communications Practice.
The plan includes Communications Objectives and Strategies,
Core Messages, Target Media and Influencer Audiences,
the PR Plan, Program Management specifics, a Time Line
and List of Target Media.
Gripit Floss Holder
Gripit
Floss Holder
Marketing, PR and Communications Plan
Block
helped client launch a new tooth flossing device, the
Gripit Floss Holder. Plan includes company Mission and
Values, Executive Summary, Core Messaging, Competitive
Differentiators, Target Audiences and Industry Influencers,
Marketing and PR Communications Plan, Calendar, Target
Media and Budget.
MESSAGING
AND BRANDING COPY
Gripit Floss Holder
Oracle
Oracle
Retail
Worked closely with Oracle Consumer Sector senior management
and Retek to create and deploy the Oracle Retail application's
value proposition and messaging in all materials, including
proposals, ad campaigns, analyst press interviews and
all marketing collateral.
PRESS
AND NEWS RELEASES
Sand
Hill IT Security
“St.
Bernard Software Completes Merger With Sand Hill IT
Security Acquisition Corporation”
This
was one of 11 press releases that Block wrote for Sand
Hill IT Security, a public target acquisition company.
HNCL
Search
“HNCL
Search Announces Firm Growth and Name Change”
This was one of eight press releases and news announcements
that Block wrote for HNCL Search. Click on link to view
materials:
http://www.hnclsearch.com/news.html
Meridian Builders & Developers, Inc.
NEWSLETTERS
Spencer Stuart
inTerCoM
Block designed, produced, edited
and wrote over 50% of copy for Spencer Stuart Technology,
Communications & Media (TCM) Practice internal newsletter.
Piece was acknowledged as a great digital device to
share firm news and business development best practices.
(Includes edited cover page only)
Southern
California Perspectives
External newsletter that Block
wrote and which Spencer Stuart used to generate awareness
for the firm’s newly opened Orange County office.
BOOK
PROMOTION
Spencer
Stuart
"The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary
Careers"
Block
led planning and execution of online promotion for the
book written by executive search consultants, Jim Citrin
and Rick Smith.
Activities
include extensive due diligence and contacting target
audiences to review, post links and secure speaking
opportunities. Block also researched leading book blogs
and posted comments, which helped secured a spike in
book sales!
COMPANY
AND EVENT COLLATERAL
Meridian Builders & Developers, Inc.
Block wrote the copy and designed
post card, a version of which was distributed at the
2007
Sunset San Francisco Idea House home tours,
Nov. 2007-Jan. 2008.
Block
wrote this overview for Meridian Builders & Developers.
Worked as sales consultant and contacted project sponsors
and contributors about donating, or contributing at
cost, their products and services to the LEED-certified
San Francisco Idea House.
San
Francisco Idea House Green and “Smart Home”
Features
Block wrote this summary for distribution
over the 10 weeks of Sunset 2007 San Francisco Idea
House home tours.
Oracle
Oracle
CPG “Seed to Shelf” Demonstration
Oracle Consumer Packaged
Goods (CPG) “Seed to Shelf” exhibit was
held at Oracle World Headquarters in January and February
of 1998. The “Seed to Shelf” demonstration
was designed to provide a forum for dialogue with prospects
and internal audiences interested in learning about
the CPG solution. The objective was to demonstrate in
a very visible, tangible way, Oracle’s proven
ability to deliver the premier industry solution for
the consumer packaged goods industry
(Table of contents only).
Click here or on image below
to review Post Card Invitation to Oracle's “Seed
to Shelf” event.
Oracle CPG conducted a joint ad campaign wth Kellogg's...
...and we secured coverage in CIO magazine featuring Jay Shreiner, CIO, Kellogg's on the cover.
Click here to read full article.
Sand Hill IT Security
Block crafted the messaging and
wrote, designed and produced this two-page overview
for Sand Hill IT Security, a public target acquisition
company.
Spencer
Stuart
Media
Practice Overview
Block wrote collateral for Spencer
Stuart's Media & Communications Practice. The piece,
used at special events, as meeting leave-behind and
in email campaigns, enhanced visibility for the practice
and firm leaders, Harry Somerdyk and Judy Havas.
GEL
and BIG TEAM Regatta
BIG
TEAM Regatta 2005
Block wrote and designed all collateral
and this information kit to promote corporate sailing
challenge sponsored by GEL (Group Experiential Learning),
a team building and leadership training company. The
Information Kit includes a Letter of Invitation, Event
Summary (what, why, where, when how), Branding and Sponsorship
Benefits, Regatta Entry Form, and Participant Summary.
WEB
CONTENT
TRI Corporation
TRI
Corp. is an innovative Experiential Leadership and
Simulation Programs company.
Old site:
New site:
http://www.tri-simulation.com/
Block supported TRI Corp.'s
new branding: wrote messaging, web copy and crafted
tag line - "Improved decision
making. Enhanced performance. Exceptional results."
Also created html META and ALT tags to enhance Search
Engine Optimization (SEO).
Sand
Hill IT Security
Block designed web site architecture,
crafted company messaging, merger model summary and
wrote all web copy and FAQs for this IT Security public
target acquisition company.
Company
Messaging and Merger Model
Web site FAQs
TSG
Block wrote all copy for web site
and designed page architecture and flow for this Private
Equity search firm.
Created brand messaging...
“Leadership for
Private Equity”
...and tag line:
“Industry insight.
Accelerated process. Business results.”
SALES
AND SLIDE PRESENTATIONS
Spencer Stuart
“Venture
Backed Leadership:
Mastering the Investment in Human Capital”
This thought leadership market
study on VC-backed companies, “Tier One Talent:
Investment Strategies for Human Capital,” was
one of six that Block led for Spencer Stuart's Technology,
Communications & Media practice. The study’s
top-line findings were presented to a standing room
only crowd at the National Venture Capital Association’s
(NVCA) meeting in San Francisco. Over 80 new relationships
and 30 qualified leads resulted, which led to over $1
million in new client engagements.
“Easing
Out the Founder: Managing a Successful Founder/CEO Transition”
Slide Presentation
Block
wrote the copy, designed and produced this slide presentation
that summarized study key findings about startup company
founders’ “passing the baton.” This
executive summary was presented at a breakfast meeting,
“Human Capital in a Down Market: Strategies for
Tough Times,” attended by high-profile Venture
Capital (VC) partners, including April King, Sequoia
Capital, Jason Brickley, Garage Technology Ventures
and Margaret King, Lightspeed.
PR
AND MEDIA OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS
Spencer
Stuart
Technology, Communications & Media Practice Press
and PR Activities
Robert Damon, the search firm’s
WestPlex Regional Director, asked us to “Create
a PR machine!” – and we did. Crafted communications
plan and worked closely with firm leaders and Ogilvy
PR to formulate practice and regional messaging. Established
and nurtured relationships with media powerhouse editors
and reporters. Press mentions produced over 100% increase
in media hits and public relations ROI of almost 300%.
Scott Gordon, Partner and Executive Search Consultant,
Spencer Stuart Press Quotes and Media Appearances
Scott Gordon, Partner and Executive
Search Consultant, serves as a national spokesperson
for Spencer Stuart’s Technology Practice and the
Internet Specialty Practice Group.
Block contacted local, regional and national press and
pitched story ideas and presented Scott as the go-to
spokesperson who had access to High Tech and Internet
market leaders. We secured coverage in a vast array
of high-profile publications and media including the
Wall Street Journal, CNN, Business 2.0, Red Herring
and the San Francisco Business Times.
GEL and BIG TEAM Regatta
Block secured a complimentary
promotional radio interview
on San Francisco's KNBR radio Community Programming
show, hosted by Gimmy Park Li, and strategic alliance
for BIG Team Regatta with San Francisco radio station
KFOG.
How?
See below...
Block
attended a live KFOG event at the Little Fox Theater
in Redwood City. After speaking with KFOG’s Irish
Greg, Block emailed Irish Greg and later contacted Gimmy
Park Li about featuring GEL’s corporate sailing
challenge and fund-raiser, the BIG Team Regatta, on
KNBR's Community Programming show.
Our goal: raise funds for the Treasure Island Sailing
Center (TISC) underprivileged and adaptive youth sailing
programs.
Email
to KFOG’s Irish Greg
On August 20-21, 2005, GEL CEO Jay Palace, TISC Director
Carisa Harris and Block were featured
in a KNBR AM 68 interview, also broadcast on KFOG/KFFG
104.5/97.7 and The BONE FM 107.7. The following year
KFOG served as major sponsor of San Francisco 2006 BIG
Team Regatta.
KNBR
Community Programming Interview
In 2005, we raised over $50,000
for Treasure Island Sailing Center's sailing programs
and made a lot of kids and adaptive sailors very happy
through their sailing adventures.
FREELANCE
WRITING
Block Consulting
“Successful
Marketing in Six Easy Steps”
Follow
these steps to drive successful "closed-loop"
marketing and PR program planning and execution –
and achieve revenue-generating results!
Block
is a contributor to HR.com, in business to help build
great companies by connecting them to the knowledge and
resources they need to effectively manage the people side
of business.
Block is a Contributor to NiemanWatchdog.org,
“Questions the press should ask,” a project
sponsored by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism, Harvard
University. The site is dedicated to publishing articles
about important news and social issues of the day.
“Brain
Injuries: Something Soldiers and Athletes Have in Common”
Soldiers
may not be able to avoid traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Athletes can but too often won’t because their
response to a concussion is to get back on the field
as soon as they are able. The press, especially the
regional press, can help alert youngsters to the dangers
and consequences of TBI.
Block is a Contributor to WomensRadio.com. This site
is dedicated to helping women writers and business professionals
succeed.
“End the War's Cognitive Carnage”
WomensRadio.com contributor Patricia
Block writes: "Much has been made about the number
of American soldiers who have died in the war on Iraq
– over 1,500 and counting. This sad statistic
begs the question..."
“Health
Care? What an Oxymoron.”
Who or what organization is auditing
the health care industry and medical institutions at
large – making certain that hospitals, doctors
and nurses operate authentically and provide compassionate
care?
“Walking
Wounded”
An estimated 1.5 million people
sustain a traumatic brain injury in the U.S. alone -
impacting them, there families, their communities and
the systems which serve them.
©
1999-2010 Block Consulting LLC. All rights reserved.
