It starts with a phone call. We have a deadline and a few details. Can we do it? Check the production schedule, assemble the designers and developers, buy some pizza. Yes, we can do it! Tight deadlines often require compressing our typical work flow.  Our team prides itself in listening to client story, extrapolating the message and focusing on the set objective.  We have an established process that keeps us on track.

Polishing scripts while preparing artwork will be tricky,  we know there may be some adjustments down the line but that is part of the process.  Having a lead designer (LD) prepare artwork for developers ensures uniform style and a smooth streamline into production. Flash development starts slowly but builds momentum as we begin to share assets and motion techniques. Assigning a project manager (PM) with a nose for details keeps everything flowing in the right direction.   Compressing a time line does not mean we skim over details.  When each section of the project is finished our review team, account manager, PM, LD and creative director, critique the product.  We know from experience there will be at least one round of tweaks before we present to the client. It is critical part of our process to ensure that we have met the high standards we have in place for each of our assignments.

Once the edit cycle is complete we post our files to a central location for deployment.  How long does it take to convert these files to the final video format?  “Do the math”, a favorite phrase around here, alerts our video producer to gear up for some weekend work. On Monday morning we push 14 videos to the client. Everyone take a deep breath, edits will be in tomorrow.

No matter how simple or complex a project is, we have a flexible process in place to meet your expectations.  http://www.cgiinteractive.com/agency/process.html

When planning your next customer facing communication tool, be sure to ask yourself an important question – “How can I maximize my investment?”

Even though your initial project might have a targeted message, it doesn’t mean your visuals can’t reach beyond that one piece into a range of communications vehicles. When working with clients on a project, we often discover for them opportunities to re-use the “marketecture” graphics and solution diagrams we create. When the opportunity is identified, we create these visuals with the flexibility to be used in web sites, presentations, HTML emails, white papers — you get the idea.

This can save you budget dollars that are difficult to come by in today’s economy. One of our long-standing clients, Iron Mountain, has seen the value in this approach. Throughout the years they have seen CGI as a valuable online marketing resource – providing writing, design and development for over 244 Powerpoint presentations and 46 Flash product demonstrations

The takeaway — It’s easy to maximize on an investment if you spend a little time upfront to plan for it.