Several of our clients have had to do more with less this year. What do we suggest when budgets have been reduced but the need to communicate is greater than ever?

Just that situation occurred with two of our valued clients.

One client struggled with a reduced magazine budget. However, given that an organization's magazine is typically rated its most valuable member benefit, eliminating the magazine was not an option.

Another client was tasked with the request to reduce an already small foundation annual budget. One possible suggestion was to only produce the Annual Report online. The Board said "absolutely not. Our annual report is our most important communication vehicle".

NDI senior designer Jennie Ramazinski Miller demonstrated smart management with sweet results. Jennie is a champion of innovative recycling programs and that and her client-centric problem solving skills reflect her solutions to this dilemma. Jennie reviewed both past projects finding solutions in history.

Here is Jennie's checklist for turning an economic slump into an economic jump-start:

1. Create a "Hindsight-is-20/20" Diary of the past project. Determine ways to streamline processes.
2. Know upfront who needs to review the project and how many review sessions are necessary.
3. Have a lot of meetings at the initiation phase so that project goals and budget expectations are very clear.
4. Make a notebook of past issue magazine pages. Which artwork, font, color is working well and can be reused by redesigning parts of it versus starting from scratch? This strategy not only saves time, but also creates a unified brand look.
5. Make sure copy has been 100% approved prior to formatting it into the design layout.
6. Transition the theme from last year’s annual report. Building upon last year’s theme for the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation adds continuity and reinforces key brand messaging. Using style sheets and formats from last year’s well received annual report, new illustrations and minor format changes accomplished communication and reduced budget goals.

"Our annual report represents our organization to current and prospective donors. It communicates our stewardship of contributions and the crucial role of the foundation and its support of the profession and especially our role in supporting educators. This year's report will continue to help us communicate our vision and ensure our success at a lower price point ."
Sharon K. Mellor, PhD, CAE
Executive Director
American Academy of Periodontology Foundation