Sector
Professional Services
Location
Essex & Suffolk
Website
solutionsforoutsourcing.co.uk
Solutions for Outsourcing (SO.) is an Essex based company, providing an extensive range of professional administrative support to ambitious small to medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs. SO. offers a bespoke service to a range of clients and can be as involved in the running of the client’s business as is necessary. The company is run by Lindsay Woolf, who has years of experience working with company directors, executives and personal assistants to make their work life more manageable.
SO. provides expertise in all elements of administration support which includes everything from accounting and book keeping to HR requirements. In 2015, Lindsay decided that she wanted to define a visual look that clearly represented her business, something that would continue to move the business forward and communicate the breadth and benefits of the SO. Service. Lindsay also wanted to re-develop the company’s strapline, “We so, you reap”.
Brand Facts
- Solutions for Outsourcing has been providing personal assistance services and professional administrative support to ambitious businesses and entrepreneurs since 2009.
- Their services include managing databases and scheduling, managing time, employee admin, and social business tasks.
- In addition, they offer research that includes competitors, new products, industry news and trends, prospective clients and business opportunities.
Project Facts
- SO. approached Mackman to establish a visual brand identity for the business.
- We worked with Lindsay to understand her business inside out, and to ensure that the finished brand identity conveyed the tone and goals of SO.
The Client
Providing professional administration support
The Mackman team met with Lindsay to understand exactly what SO. stood for and what their current clients valued most about the services they provide. The design and communications team worked side by side to identify the key messaging that needed to be communicated through the new branding. The final circular design aimed to reflect the all encompassing service SO. is able to provide to their clients.
Using the logo design of the letters “SO.” allowed the new strap line to fit as a complete sentence: “So, it’s time to grow”. The sentence is a proactive one; it is committed and completely decided. It suggests something is going to happen and there is going to be real, positive change as a result of working with the company. It shows SO’s belief in the clients they work with, inspired by what they do and confident in their ability to succeed. The accompanying strapline looked to communicate how much can be achieved when businesses join in partnership with SO.
The Challenge
As a modern PA service, SO. required a brand that was eye-catching and distinctive but retained an element of professionalism. It needed to be different to the norm and have an element of playfulness in its tone of voice, to reflect the personable and more approachable side of the business.
The Results
Mackman provided Solutions for Outsourcing with a modern, professional strapline that accurately conveyed the tone and purpose of the business. This was transformed into a logo that could be used in marketing collateral such as letterheads, business cards, and stationery.
If I’m honest I found relinquishing control over something quite personal quite difficult. But after my second meeting with Sarah, Natasha and Angela I came away feeling confident they understood me, my businesses values, and what it was I wanted the logo and strap line to signify. I left feeling extremely positive and excited by the whole process.
On the day of the presentation I was a little anxious but very intrigued to see the final outcome. The presentation was insightful, interesting and even amusing! The explanation within the presentation was superb – I just knew there and then Mackman had to help me with my website copy.
During the meeting everything clicked into place, I fully understood why only one concept is presented, it made perfect sense. If this is something which concerns you like it did me, don’t let it! Spend time on your brief, trust them and throw caution to the wind!
When we reached the final logo and strapline, it was what I was hoping for and more. It represented everything we had discussed, it met the brief in ways I didn’t think were possible and what was really impressive, Mackman had picked up on things during our second meeting I didn’t even think were that relevant, very clever! I couldn’t have been happier and I’m very proud of my logo and strapline, I want the world to see it!
Through this venture, I’ve gained a marketing branch to my business. I can make my business ideas, such as client presents, a reality now. To do this alongside a team who understands you and what your business means is invaluable.
Lindsay Woolf, Director – Solutions for Outsourcing