Key Partners
- Who are your key partners?
2. Who are your key suppliers?
- Who are your key partners?
2. Who are your key suppliers?
Government Agencies & Activists
Insight and funding from government agencies and activists add financial and intellectual value to our organization
RISKS: Slow moving, lack of funding, lack of organization
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We will minimize reliance when we need to move fast and pivot quickly
Expert Consultants
Pairing with individuals with specialized knowledge on a project-to-project bases allows us a greater depth of understanding about specific fields and areas of interest
RISKS: High cost, limited availability
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We focus our needs before calling on experts for help
Local Communities
Communities affected by migrating populations and the products/services we help create
RISKS: Difficulty gathering consensus, insular
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We utilize our broad network to gain access to communities while maintaining a trustworthy reputation
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Key Activities
- What are your key activities?
- What are your key activities?
Qualitative Research
By coupling the design thinking process and narrative inquiry we are able to better understand our stakeholders needs and desires
RISKS: Easy to misinterpret, time consuming (us), expansive (customers), hard to sell
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We maintain an extensive portfolio of case studies. We interview a diverse set of individuals and experts using methods that minimize our own bias. We support all of our finding with statistical analysis and trends research
Quantitative Research
Using tested trends analysis methods and systems science tools we find quantitatively relevant data to understand our stakeholders and their environment
RISKS: Easy to misinterpret, low impact without a narrative to back it up
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We pair all quantitative research with real world examples. We inform our research with expert input
Strategic Storytelling
After we find solid opportunities for our customers, we leverage expert storytelling techniques to clearly communicate needs and goals across a variety of industry levels (through structured brainstorming, workshops, presentations, and documentation)
RISKS: Executives are wary of it (they want numbers), time consuming
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We start with the numbers first (in a way that drives to the question, "What's the story behind this?"). We create documents that are quickly digestible, use imagery where possible, and include appendixes with more information
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Value Proposition
- What are your value propositions?
- What are your value propositions?
Advocacy
Through personal interviews we learn the needs wants and fears of migrant populations so that they can be incorporated into the products and services we help design and the relationships we build
RISKS: Lack of accessibility, finding out things that our customer may not want to hear
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We utilize online resources when necessary and cluster interviews by location when possible. We meet people when it's convenient for them. We use storytelling and trends to back up what we're saying or we keep our mouths shut
Relationship Building
By connecting organizations, communities and migrant populations we create relationships based on mutual understanding and respect
RISK: Hard to get people to agree
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We use storytelling and trends to back up what we're saying
Organizational Tactics
Our insights and recommendations provide organizations with the structure and direction they need in order to cope with internal and external challenges while optimizing their opportunities for success
RISK: Tactical implementation is difficult (especially for big organizations)
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We start by developing a personal relationship with those that will be impacted by our insights and recommendations and utilize their feedback throughout the process
Long-Term Planning
Through qualitative and quantitative research we are able to develop adaptive strategies for all of our customer segments
RISKS: Difficulty forecasting the future (we could be wrong), unintended consequences
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We maintain liability insurance, diversify our research, always ask the experts, have frequent check-ins with stakeholders, and always follow up with our customers
Reliable Direction
Proven strategic processes from a team with planning, execution, and follow-up experience in a variety of sectors
RISK: Trends are always changing (information has a short shelf life)
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We never stop educating ourselves on the newest information. We seek expert input. We constantly pull in new individuals to mentor to keep us on our toes. We maintain a diverse team and a culture of trust
Tailor-Made Strategy
Strategic insights and recommendations developed for individual clients based on their current and projected environment
RISKS: Time consuming and expensive, may be unnecessary
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We try to mitigate customer costs by creating deliverable that can be shared immediately. We start by developing an understanding of the scope and goals of each project
The Newest Information
By conducting research particular to each client we ensure that all data gathered is current and relevant
RISK: Trends are always changing (information has a short shelf life)
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We never stop educating ourselves on the newest information. We seek expert input. We constantly pull in new individuals to mentor to keep us on our toes. We maintain a diverse team and a culture of trust
Non-Bias/Outside Perspective
By acting as an extra set of eyes for clients, we help find challenges and opportunities that they may be too close to see
RISKS: Lack of context, hard to catch up
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We start every project with a set of internal interviews, a stakeholder workshop, and secondary research. Everyone on our team is hired for personality (we all have to be expert learners) and serves a shifting set of roles. We have standard practices that ensure the mental and emotional health of our team to keep them sharp
Secret Knowledge
Our intensive research process allows us to get to information that many people may be too embarrassed or afraid to share
RISKS: Negative reaction from interviewees, hard to get to the information we need, finding out things that our customer may not want to hear
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We keep top notch interviewers on staff
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Customer Relationships
- Your customer relationships?
- Your customer relationships?
Social Networks
Personal and professional networks help spread the word about GNI
RISK: Inaccurate representation of our services
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We use stories, case studies, and individually relevant examples to explain our services
Direct Account Management
One on one contact between customers and the primary team member
RISK: Primary team member may not know what the customer needs to know
MANAGEMENT PLAN: Maximize the amount of common knowledge between team members through comprehensive documentation
Bilateral relationship building
We increase the trust and comfort level of our customers' relationship with their customers through our own personal interactions in research
RISK: Providing a false sense of safety
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We give interviewees a clear view of the potential impact of what they tell us. We always allow interviewees to follow-up with us. If something we find has the potential to make a relationship worse we bring it to their attention immediately
Co-creation
Our process allows the experts in a firm to influence the direction and follow-through of their company beyond consultant-to-executive interaction
RISKS: Overly influential but mis-informed perspectives, false sense of safety, groupthink
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We use workshop and interview techniques that provide structure and safety. We let interviewees remain anonymous. We use a large sample set for internal interviews
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Customer Segments
Migrating Populations
Any group of people that are relocating en masse do to unfavorable conditions in their native environment OR the perception of more-favorable opportunities in other environments
RISK: They have a problem that we can't help solve
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We clearly state our goals and the scope of our resources. We work with partners
Businesses
Companies who provide products and services to fast-growing local populations
RISKS: They don't see the value of our services, the people with the money may not be the people with whom we want to work, they don't think we have enough experience
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We rely on social proof from the previous projects we've done. We maintain updated portfolio. We practice selling our services in a variety of different ways and tailor our approach to each prospective clients. We always research our clients ahead of time. We work through reputable partners. We always start small and local
Non-Profits
Organizations that aid in understanding and coping with migration and environmental issues
RISKS: They're unable to pay us, incomplete follow-through on their end, they don't think we have enough experience
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We identify fiscal compromises at the onset of the contract (non-monetary compensation). We willing to work for less during lean times. We create realistic strategies that are based on their organization's abilities. We work through reputable partners. We always start small and local
Government Agencies
Local, state, federal and international agencies that create/enforce laws and policies that affect the movement of people
RISK: They may not want to work with us, regulatory challenges, they're unable to pay us, they don't think we have enough experience
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We only approach them when our goals align. We rely on social proof from previous projects. We work through reputable partners. We request rules and guidelines prior to entering into a contract. We always have a lawyer on call. We identify fiscal compromises at the onset of the contract (non-monetary compensation). We willing to work for less during lean times. We work through reputable partners. We always start small and local
Educational Organizations
Public and private organizations that offer educational opportunities for communities
RISK: They're unable to pay us, incomplete follow-through on their end, fear of the private sector, they don't think we have enough experience
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We identify fiscal compromises at the onset of the contract (non-monetary compensation). We willing to work for less during lean times. We create realistic strategies that are based on their organization's abilities. We maintain advocates within educational organizations. We work through reputable partners. We always start small and local
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Key Resources
- What are your key resources?
- What are your key resources?
Prior Experience
We build on what we've learned from past projects to created a cumulative stock of information and experiences
RISK: Internal biases
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We always list our assumptions before we start and get a fresh pair of eyes on each project
Small Diverse Team (of really smart people)
Our team's ability to process the information we're presented with is the backbone of GNI's operations
RISKS: Hard to expand as a company, group cohesion requires a lot of time and energy
MANAGEMENT PLAN: All team members are required to mentor someone new to the field. We have a clearly define organizational culture with trust and play as a priority
Social Networks
The personal and professional networks associated with GNI act as a pool for finding individuals to interview and potential partnerships
RISKS: Limited reach and diversity, time consuming
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We maintain solid relationships with the people that know people. We supplement our personal networks with online networks. We utilize the "snow-ball" method (building new networks as we go)
Proprietary Knowledge
Existing knowledge that our customers can share with us
RISKS: Breaching NDA, hard to get to, may lack context
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We implement standard practices when dealing with NDA information. We minimize reliance on pre-existing research. We cross-reference existing information with what we find in our research
The Internet
Easy access to huge amounts of information
RISKS: Misinformation, cognitive overload
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We carefully check our sources. We have hard stops for when exploration needs to end. We make our goals clear and specific
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Channels
Direct Contact
Personal contact (face-to-face and digital) between the GNI team and client
RISKS: Everyone has bad days, conflicting personalities
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We always have more than one person in contact with the client, follow-up after each project, and every member of the team is trained in group/communication dynamics
GNI.vision
Web-based access to case studies, blog, event information, description of services, and contact information
RISKS: Inaccurate representation of the team, may not be utilized
MANAGEMENT PLAN: Rolling updates for the website and social media. Good SEO and backwards links. We create easily digestible, relevant content that can be featured in other sources. Extensive user testing on the website. Feature videos and other mixed media on the website
Media and Word-of-Mouth
Written articles and personal references that feature the goals, motivations, and achievements of GNI's clients
RISKS: Bad media, getting too big--too fast
MANAGEMENT PLAN: Intentionally feed good media to media outlets. We respect our NDAs. We respectfully confront bad media immediatly. We have SMART goals and rules for how we take on new clients
Partners
Experts who direct their customers to GNI for their personal and professional gain
RISKS: If we fail they may look bad, taking on bad clients
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We claim responsibility for everything we do. We have close contact with partners who connect us with new clients. We have SMART goals and rules for how we take on new clients
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Cost Structure
- What about your cost structure?
- What about your cost structure?
Man-Hours
Hourly/salary payment of employees
RISK: Going over budget, not enough work (for salaried employees), overworked salaried employees, unfair compensation
MANAGEMENT PLAN: Sign-on contract are clear and easy to understand. We have an open dialogue about employee expectations. We use standardized time management tools. We always have a back-up plan and keep financial padding for payroll. We shop for clients 3-6 months in advance
Office Space
Rent and other costs required to provide GNI with a base of operations
RISK: Limit growth of team
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We only sign 6 month leases until we've decided that we will not increase the size of our team
Travel Expenses
Expenses accrued while traveling to and from interviews, meetings, etc.
RISKS: Money goes out before it comes in, being turned down due to high travel costs to the client, having to change research process to accommodate alternatives to traveling
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We maintain financial padding for potential travel expenses. We clearly state travel expenses in our SOWs. We utilize online resources when necessary and cluster interviews by location when possible. We meet people when it's convenient for them
Research & Deliverable Materials
From Post-It notes to computer programs, we need assets to make our ideas tangible
RISKS: Tech problems
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We always have a tech guy on call
Liability Insurance
CYA (Cover Your Ass)
RISK: Not having enough
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We make sure our coverage meets the needs of our clients
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Revenue Streams
- What are your revenue streams?
- What are your revenue streams?
Project Based Fees
Lump-sum or dispersed payments from organizations, received in exchange for consultation services
RISKS: Underbidding jobs, financial instability
MANAGEMENT PLAN: We track the finances of all past projects. We tell our clients that scope-creep will result in a revision of the original contract. We maintain financial padding for lean times, minimize ongoing costs, and only hire new employees when it's absolutely necessary
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