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Our Methodology

How Do We Do It?

We become part of your team. We spend time getting to know your business, from the inside out, learning what makes you tick and what can help you grow and prosper.

NextLevel Thinking has a tried-and-true brand-building methodology that produces a successful marketing strategy and a step-by-step approach for executing that strategic blueprint. 

Investigation

Icon of a Magnifying Glass Denoting the Investigation Phase of Our Brand Building Methodology

A Gathering Session.

The objective of this phase of our methodology is to uncover appropriate information to create a foundation from which to move forward.

First, we examine your competitive landscape to understand what they are saying about themselves and how they are positioning themselves in the marketplace.

Second, we converse with your clients (current, former, potential) to explore and appreciate what makes your organization special and why they love buying from you. Additionally, we ask about the areas that can be worked upon and improved.

Third, we talk to your key folks to capture their perspective, understanding and appreciation of your mission and/or vision as well as your go to market approach.

Fourth, we perform a comprehensive review of your current marketing and sales materials, and website, to understand what you are saying about yourself and how you are trying to position yourself in the marketplace.

To round out the exploration of your current situation, we establish an understanding of your digital presence by conducting an On Page, Off Page, and Local SEO analysis, as well as an examination of your social media footprint.

Visualization

Icon of an Eye Denoting the Visualization Phase of Our Brand Building Methodology

The Freethinking Stage.

The primary purpose of this phase is the development of your Separation Statement and Story. In other words, how am I going to separate myself from the competition and what story am I going to tell in the marketplace that will achieve that desired differentiation.

The creation of a one-page document that boils down all that we have learned in the Investigation Phase into a framework that will illuminate the path forward and serve as a guide in the development of your positioning, messaging and strategy is called a Separation Statement.

From the Separation Statement, your story will evolve in such a way that your desired market will have no choice but to pay attention, be inspired, and act and your employees will seek new and innovative ways to live into this new way of life!

Realization

Icon of a Lightbulb Denoting the Realization Phase of Our Brand Building Methodology

The Diamond Cutting Stage.

We cut, polish, and deliver all the thinking created during Visualization to enable your current and potential clients to participate with you in new and interesting ways.

The centerpiece of Realization is a strategic marketing plan that outlines all the steps and activities necessary to realize your new go to market strategy.

Collaboration

Icon of a Handshake Denoting the Collaboration Phase of Our Brand Building Methodology

Just Think of Us as Your Marketing Department… Without the Overhead!

Imagine this…you have a fancy new logo, slick new ads, and an exciting new marketing strategy. Sounds great, right? The problem is that there’s no one on your team who can dedicate the time or the resources to execute the strategy on an ongoing basis…which is really required.

That’s precisely why we created our Collaboration offering, an ongoing service that gives you all the support of an onsite marketing team – without the overhead.

Our Collaboration offering focuses on you and your marketing needs, monitors the competition, evolves the brand, creates new ideas and communicates internally to your organization and externally to current and potential clients.

While you focus on what you do best, we make sure that your positioning, messaging, and creative approach stays strategically focused and continues to deliver results.

Eric Poerschke

Eric Poerschke

In another life, I’m pretty sure I was a psychologist!

What’s the most inspiring part of your job?

My absolute best days are when we’re able to help a client see their business differently. It’s usually at this point when things begin to take off and the effectiveness of what we can do for them begins to be realized both internally and externally in a very powerful way.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is don’t get too high on the highs and too low on the lows. This advice was from my high school basketball coach.
If you could possess one super-human power, what would it be?

I think it would be so cool to be able to fly. The different vantage points would be amazing and the ability to get places quickly would be awesome.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

As a young fella, I probably wanted to be the usual things like a policeman, fireman, etc. But from high school on, I have always wanted to own my own business. In graduate school, my buddies were sure that I would make a living helping people/organizations see things from a different perspective. They were right!

What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars?

Be prepared to deliver absolute excellence, while being part of a very caring, results-oriented, drama-free work environment.

What one food do you wish had zero calories?

There are a whole bunch of food categories that I wish had zero calories. If I had to pick one, it would definitely be tortilla chips with guacamole, chili con queso and/or salsa.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

My favorite thing to do, by far, is to hang out with my family…Tracy, Erin, Trey and Kyle. My peeps!

Which of the three NextLevel Thinking core values resonates the most with you?

I think giving the client what they need, not just what they want really defines NextLevel Thinking. We have seen some extraordinary results from those clients that have really embraced this collaborative approach.