These case studies illustrate the type of engagements that Kingstree have been involved in and include some projects that have grown over a number of years. Kingstree are also constantly involved in training programmes and in supporting key internal and external communications projects for clients all over the world.

Raising Market Profile. The European office of a major US software company coordinate a Conference Speakers' Forum. Instead of random, few and unproductive attendances at conferences, speakers are coordinated through the marketing department, with careful targeting towards the most promising occasions. Speakers are prepared for the conferences, information is shared and time is saved in the preparation process. Sponsorships are not wasted by poorly performing speakers and best practice is demonstrated on every occasion.

Winning Pitches. One of the Big Four accountancy firms have developed a preparation process for pitches that saves time and ensures best practice. The business development team has grown from one person to a geographically diversified team of experts, every major pitch is carefully coordinated to achieve maximum potential through the whole process, and the communication with the client is carefully planned at every stage. In many cases, the decision is made by the client to appoint the team even before the formal presentation stage. Pitches are now a productive part of the partners' lives, with a process that is efficient and makes best use of the limited time available.

Culture Change. A major telecoms company are changing the culture of their large research and development organisation. From an internal overhead, where scientists presented their ideas in a non-competitive and non-threatening environment, the R&D department are re-branded and are now a profit centre, with competition from outside the company as well as the freedom to sell their services on the open market. A commercial culture is being developed through a large blended learning programme and support for critical events.

Needs Analysis. One of the bulge bracket investment banks were concerned at the poor standard of presentations. Initially it was thought that the bankers delivering the presentations were at fault, but huge expense was saved by focusing on those who prepared the presentations and the process involved. By the early, but brief, involvement of the senior people, time and cost is saved in the process and those delivering the presentations are provided with materials that helped them achieve success.

Client Development. An asset management company were hosting a conference for their clients. The day was split into discussion groups, led by client relationship managers. Analysts visited each group to make presentations on their sector. The key was to get the group leaders to plan the discussion carefully to meet objectives by steering the conversation onto certain subjects. In that way, the day was prevented from being just an entertaining "talking shop" dominated by the agenda of a few vociferous clients.

Public Profile. A public sector organisation suffered from poorly prepared speeches. Senior people were being given scripts to read that were not conversational and would be delivered as read papers. By working on the speeches to turn them into conversational scripts and by training the speakers in a technique by which they could read verbatim, but not appear to be reading, effectiveness was achieved, without having to change a well developed process.

Consistency of Message. A large US corporation, with several divisions, realised that their communications were not making best use of shared best practice. People were preparing presentations in isolation, unaware of the corporate "line" on the subject and there was little consistency of messages to their markets. By installing KeyPrep software that helps the preparation process and provides an easily accessible database of corporate messages and slides, the company are able to eliminate wasted effort, break down silos of communication and bring consistency of messages presented to the outside world.

Winning New Business. A growing financial services company wanted to win more business in a highly competitive environment. By developing an efficient preparation process and focusing on their strengths, they are increasingly able to win business from their larger competitors as well as build more productive relationships with their clients that help them circumvent the formal pitch process.

Business Development. An international search firm wanted to develop business through targeted corporate entertainment, but did not want to waste budgets on expensive entertainment that did not win business. By planning the communication involved, through a process of identifying and meeting client expectations, targeting business objectives and tracking results, they are now winning more business and measuring the payback.

Maximising Valuation. A publically listed newspaper group wanted to sell off one of their regional operations. The management presentations were carefully prepared and the team coached through to the actual investor presentations. As a result, the group achieved a sale price much higher than analyst predictions and the buyers were so impressed by the management team that, against expectations, they kept them in place.