HopToIt - The Importance of Internal Branding

By Dianna Lopez Thankfully for us at LeapFrog Solutions, most organizations understand the need for investing significant resources in their external branding and marketing efforts. Often, these efforts include thorough research, careful planning and targeted execution, all of which take a great deal of time and energy. However, when it comes to internal branding, seldom is the same level of effort put forth. The assumption is that employees already know who you are, what you do and why you do it. However, just as consumers need to be regularly exposed to your brand before they commit to becoming your customers, and then need repeated exposure to remain loyal customers, your employees also need to be reminded of the "who, what and why" of your organization. Internal branding is the process by which this is achieved. The most obvious example of internal branding is training. Often times, organizations have an onboarding process during which new hires receive training that includes an overview of the company, its mission and values. While this is important, this type of information should have been received by the new hire during the recruitment process, so the onboarding training just reinforces their decision to join the company. Seemingly small things help to showcase your brand such as recruitment methods, types of communications used during the recruitment process, interactions with your employees during interviews and even the look and feel of your office space. Click HERE to read the rest of the article

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HopToIt: Judge a Company by the Kitchen It Keeps

By Rich Gilroy

When you compare marketing communications firms, what is the most important factor to consider? The portfolio? Case studies? Client testimonials? The firm’s website? How about its kitchen?

The other day, I remarked to Lisa Martin, LeapFrog Solutions’ founder and CEO, that we have the cleanest kitchen of just about anyplace I’ve ever worked. I went on to say that it seems to demonstrate what a collaborative and supportive team we have here. In all fairness, we do have a schedule in the kitchen and everyone (except, strangely, Lisa) is assigned a week of kitchen clean-up duty. Yet it’s not uncommon to see someone who’s not assigned to kitchen duty unloading the dishwasher, restocking the granola bars and giving the counters a wipe. This is especially true when the assigned kitchen-keeper is on travel, out sick or in non-stop meetings. And despite her exemption from assigned duty, I have seen Lisa empty the dishwasher. (Of course, being the well-known sycophant that I am, I always offer to help!)

We’ve all worked at offices in which the kitchen sink was usually full of dirty mugs, dishes and flatware — even though the dishwasher was right next to the sink. Years ago, I worked in an office where one individual became so exasperated by the sink full of dishes that she tossed out all the mugs. Oh, the wailing and gnashing of teeth that ensued.

There was another office in which the refrigerator had become so filled with plastic containers of decomposing leftovers and dips — and baggies of fuzzy green sandwiches ─ that the stench was overwhelming. We literally wore rubber gloves to clean and purge.

And still another office that much to the chagrin of its environmentally conscious staff, provided only paper plates and plastic flatware. Why? The office general manager told me — and I’m not making this up — that they used to stock regular dishes and flatware, but they kept “walking out the door.”

So if a clean kitchen suggests a dedicated, supportive — and dare I say, “happy” — team, what does a dirty kitchen suggest? Here’s a list of possible theories:

To read more Click HERE

LeapFrog Solutions Appoints Lee Brinckley Web Development Manager; Lindsay Walker, Anjali Dighe, Amy Kerr, Join Company

Oakton, Va. — February 8, 2012 — LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. (LFS), a full-service strategic marketing communications firm, announced today that it has appointed Lee Brinckley as the company's web development manager. The company also appointed Lindsay Walker as an account coordinator, Anjali Dighe as executive assistant and client development manager, and Amy Kerr an accountant.

"I am pleased to welcome Lee, Anjali, Lindsay and Amy to the LeapFrog Solutions team," said LFS founder and CEO Lisa Martin. "As our company grows, we will continue to add talented persons to enhance our offerings and expand our service to government and private sector clients."

Brinckley, who has more than 12 years experience in website design, programming and marketing, will be responsible for integrating web and new media solutions into marketing plans for LFS clients. Brinckley is an expert on MODX, an open source content management system (CMS) for web systems. He joins LFS from Nehlsen Communications in Moline, Ill., where he was director of web marketing. He also has worked as a senior web designer and consultant. Brinckley earned his BFA degree in multimedia and graphic design from Greenville College.

Dighe has a varied and deep portfolio, with more than 15 years of progressive corporate positions. She has spearheaded financial and strategic planning, capital management and development as well as internal operations management for both national and multinational companies including ZGS Broadcast Holdings, Stranix, Discovery Communications and Robert Half International. She earned a B.A. degree in political science from North Carolina State University.

Walker, who brings in more than five years of experience in project management, came to LFS from George Mason University where she was a program coordinator managing certificate programs and contract training programs. At LFS, she assists with account coordination, reporting, and research for both commercial and government clients. Walker monitors the media for news about flood insurance in support of FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, a major LFS client. Walker earned her B.A. degree in communications with a minor in graphic design from Longwood University.

Kerr, who joins LFS as an accountant, has 15 years experience in accounting, finance and bookkeeping. Prior to joining LFS, she was a staff accountant for CityView in Los Angeles, Calif., one of the nation's premier institutional investment firms focused on urban real estate. She earned her A.S. degree in digital media from Full Sail Real World Education and her A.A. degree in general studies from Central Florida Community College.

Farewell! We will miss you!!

On Friday we bid farewell to Dick Bodson, our President of the past 17 months. We celebrated in the best way we know how, a happy hour in his honor. We will miss you Dick. Though you may not be in the office, we will feel the impact you had everyday. Good luck in your next adventure!


To see more pictures of our farewell happy hour, visit our Facebook page HERE

A Conversation With Lisa Martin: Marketing To Four Generations

Our CEO, Lisa Martin, is featured in Washington Exec! Check out the article about marketing to the four generations below --
Meet Lisa Martin, the CEO of LeapFrog Solutions. Martin specializes in developing strategic marketing campaigns for high-technology clients, as well as association-sponsored conferences and trade shows.

In this exclusive interview with WashingtonExec, Martin offers advice about how marketing and communication has changed the federal contracting industry and the world. She told us about the four different generations of the workplace environment and explained the differences between them.


WashingtonExec: Who are the four generations people talk about in the workplace?

Lisa Martin: While expert opinions vary slightly on exact ages, the rough breakdown is:

Veterans/Traditionalists (born 1922-1945) roughly 65+
Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) ages 47 – 64
Gen X (born 1965-1980) ages 31 – 46
Gen Y (born 1982-2000) under 30
“The bottom line is that companies have to be aware that they are marketing to different generations and they have to be mindful about how those generations use technology to receive and share information.”
To ready more CLICK HERE

LFS is hiring - Public and Media Relations Manager

Postion

Discipline:
Public Relations
Reports To:
Senior Vice President and Program Manager
Effective Date:
January 2012

Job Summary:
LeapFrog Solutions, a woman-owned small business, strategic marketing communications firm on a fast growth track with commercial and government clients, seeks an experienced, motivated and energetic manager to oversee public and media relations efforts.

Responsibilities:
Provides leadership and overall support to the account team in the day-to-day public and media relations support of a large government account with duties as follows:

Leads public and media relations tasks including research, media monitoring, writing, media outreach, satellite media tours, multimedia news releases, media training, and social media engagement
Develops strategies and tactics in support of the program’s public and media relations goals
Creates and maintain extensive nationwide media lists and relationships with the goal to ensure all areas of media are targeted
Demonstrates experience in communications concepts and tactics, including media relations and social media
Provides a professional presence representing the client at conferences, trade shows, special events and other meetings
Integrates research and creative work concepts into account activity
Thrives as a contributor on a creative team that collaborates in addressing client challenges
Presents positive, flexible attitude that lends itself to effective client relations and service
Manages projects with attention to detail, accuracy and quality while meeting established
deadlines
Organizes and manages multiple responsibilities effectively
Demonstrates strong written and verbal skills
Demonstrates efficiency in word processing, reporting, presentation development and online
research
Writes, proofreads, formats, and edits skills in accordance with style standards
Develops and manages schedules, budgets and resource plans
Demonstrates a thirst for knowledge and learning, and demonstrates continual improvement in
communications skills
Navigates through an environment of constant change – and demonstrates ability to see and
create opportunities with every change
Provides general government contract support

Requirements:
B.A. in public relations, journalism, communications or related field
Experience writing for both Web and traditional outlets is preferred
7-10 years of public relations/communications experience
Account management experience • Familiarity working with government agencies
Strong writing/editing/proofreading skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Ability to work as a team player and independently in a fast-paced environment
Maintain discretion when handling sensitive and confidential matters
Ability to travel 25-30% of the time

Preferred Experience/Qualifications:
Public relations industry experience, commercial and government
Some branding, print, web and multimedia production and management experience and
understanding
Excellent prior client management/relations experience
Multi-tasker, team player, personable and goals-driven
Attention to detail, deadlines, accounts
Positive, can-do attitude, flexible, organized

Compensation:
Competitive and commensurate with experience.

Please send cover letter, resume and three writing samples to lfs_careers@leapfrogit.com and place “PR Manager” in subject header. Candidates may be asked to complete a writing test. This is a full time position.

LFS is looking for a Proposal Development Manager to join our pond

Job Summary:
LeapFrog Solutions seeks an experienced, highly organized Proposal Development Manager with excellent leadership, management, interpersonal and problem solving skills. This is a multi-faceted position requiring hands-on new business support, initiative, adaptability and excellent follow through.

The Proposal Development Manager will be responsible for managing all aspects of the company’s proposal-related activities for the full procurement lifecycle. Working with other staff, this position contributes to the development and implementation of business development strategies, policies and procedures, encourages partnership development, and assures high-quality, compliant proposal submissions.

The primary responsibility is to lead company proposals and to ensure the highest standards in consistent, winning, and responsive bids. The proposals are predominantly technical responses; knowledge of pricing structures is desirable.


Basic Qualifications:

Three major areas: 1) individual proposal management and development, 2) monitoring and review of all proposals, 3) competitive and opportunity research
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or relevant field
Six years of proposal development and related management experience; at least three years experience in federal proposal management
Excellent computer skills; proficient in Outlook, Word, Excel, and automated project management tool (e.g. MS Project)
Track record of success in developing proposals according to federal, state, and local solicitations
Track record of success in supporting marketing communications industry proposal and business development
Demonstrated leadership in assuming responsibility for company proposals, through all development stages
Experience using varied multiple award contract vehicles (e.g. GSA AIMS, GSA ITSS, SeaPort-e)
Demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace
An analytical mind and ability to analyze large amounts of information and data quickly
Strong planning and decision-making skills to engage diverse individuals under tight time constraints
Experience and ability to obtain additional resources (e.g. consultants) as needed
Willingness to do hands-on support for company bids and related new business opportunity responses

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience and/or interest in marketing, media and/or advertising industries and a passion and desire to grow the company and grow with the company
Knowledge of pricing structures (FFP, T&M, cost plus, and combinations)
Strong leadership skills to train, mentor, provide work guidance, coordinate, oversee and lead company staff
Good interpersonal skills working with staff and potential customers
Solid capacity to look at situations from several points of view; flexibility
Experience working in a small firm/agency setting
High comfort level working in a matrixed environment; strength under pressure

Responsibilities:
Assume overall leadership and manage/conduct hands-on support for company document responses to new business opportunities (e.g. responses to sources sought notices, solicitations, and all phases of related marketing responses and proposal development)
Direct hands-on proposal development from qualification stage through market research, and straw man proposal development, engaging appropriate staff, and fully developing and enforcing consistently high quality standards in production and final product:
Qualify bid opportunity
Conduct market research including using resource tools (i.e. FedMine, GSA E-Buy, FedBizOpps, E-VA, E-MD)
Engage appropriate staff for input and support
Outline proposal and develop compliance matrix; enforce compliant response
Facilitate kick-off with win theme development and other strategies
Develop production schedule
Write sections (i.e. boilerplate)
Organize and lead all review stages (pink, red, green, gold)
Do final editing and production of document – hard and electronic copies
Take charge of all volume development including business/costing; contribute to costing
Develop other responses to opportunities (e.g. oral presentation slides)
Refine and update proposal development procedures, template, tools, and techniques
Maintain complete files and records of proposal related materials and final products
Train and develop junior/support staff
Grow the proposal development capabilities as the company grows

Essential Job Functions
Market and Opportunity Research
Investigate information related to a new business opportunity
Conduct competitive analysis
Examine customer buying habits
Recommend bid strategy – technical and cost
Work with bid team and proposed project director to strengthen competitive advantage
Proposal Development Management
Take all steps necessary to produce substantial winning response to solicitations
Establish budgets for proposals (B&P) and for overall proposal development
Manage proposals and department to budgets; often multiple simultaneous proposals
Maintain timelines and enforce deadlines and high quality standards
Ensure full compliance of product with solicitation
Oversee document production including development in Word, integration of graphics and other input (e.g. photos), final production including quality control, and delivery
Corporate Support
Contribute to marketing planning and strategy; support corporate strategic initiatives
Manage and coach staff in consistent high quality responsive proposal development

Compensation:
Competitive and commensurate with experience

To apply for this position, please send an email to LFS_careers@leapfrogit.com with “Proposal Development Manager” in the subject line.