Client Outcomes
Orgs of all shapes and sizes seek out GCG when they don't have a strategic plan, are struggling with a lack of focus, or are hindered by team ineffectiveness. Here are some of their stories.
CIS (Community In Schools) Chatham County
CIS Chatham County does important work. They surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Situated in a growing county poised to leverage an influx of funding from new corporate donors, CISCC had come out of a period of organizational flux ready for a new strategic plan. We started with a deep dive on the state of the organization. We gathered input from internal and external stakeholders and completed a SWOT - what’s working, what opportunities are in front of us? After charging the board with thinking 10 years down the road, we compiled a measurable, actionable strategic plan for the next 3 years. Staff feedback and buy-in on the plan meant board adoption was a partnership - those focused on execution are in agreement and alignment with the vision. CISCC uses GCG as an accountability partner, through a coaching check in every 6 months to celebrate wins, discuss challenges and brainstorm new approaches to roadblocks.
Hear from CISCC Executive Director, Tych Cowdin. “I’m singing your praises to anyone who will listen. Your unique approach got us further, faster, and with better staff and community buy-in. We’re celebrating this plan.”
The CISCC Board Chair, Mayme Boyd, was also pleased with the investment in their future. “I want you to know how impressed I am with your work.”
Problem/Challenge: The need for a clear, actionable three-year strategic plan to align leadership, reflect community values, and ensure sustainable impact.
Key Outcomes: A comprehensive, community-focused strategic plan with clear goals, practical steps, and measurable benchmarks to guide CISCC’s work for the next three years.
About the Client
Brief Company Overview:
Communities In Schools Chatham County (CISCC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a range of services and programs, CISCC supports at-risk youth and their families, fostering educational success and community well-being.
Target Market or Focus:
CISCC serves students, families, and schools in Chatham County, with a focus on addressing barriers to education and providing resources for long-term success.
The Challenge
CISCC faced the challenge of creating a strategic plan that would align its Board of Directors and leadership team while staying true to its core values and community-driven mission. The organization needed a plan that was both visionary and practical, with clear goals and actionable steps to ensure sustainable growth and measurable impact.
At the time, the organization was at a pivotal moment, requiring a roadmap to guide its efforts in serving the community effectively while addressing key benchmarks and communication strategies.
The Solution
Garrison Consulting Group, led by Alanna Howard, partnered with CISCC to develop a tailored three-year strategic plan. The process included:
Strategic Planning Process: Collaborative workshops with the Board of Directors and leadership team to identify priorities, align on vision, and define achievable goals.
Services and Tools Used: Data-driven analysis, stakeholder engagement, and customized planning frameworks.
Team Members Involved: CISCC’s Board of Directors, leadership team, and key stakeholders.
Alanna ensured that CISCC’s core values were central to the plan while adapting to the unique needs of the organization and the community it serves.
The Results
Quantitative Outcomes:
A clear roadmap with measurable benchmarks to track progress and ensure accountability.
Defined goals and practical steps to guide CISCC’s work over the next three years.
Qualitative Outcomes:
Enhanced alignment among the Board of Directors and leadership team.
A plan that reflects the community’s needs and values while emphasizing sustainability and impact.
"Alanna’s expertise was invaluable in helping our Board of Directors and leadership team create a plan with a clear vision, achievable goals, and practical steps for the future. She made sure our core values were front and center while keeping the plan realistic and focused on what’s most important for our organization and those we serve."
— Communities In Schools Chatham County (CISCC)
Lessons Learned / Insights
What Made This Engagement Successful:
A collaborative approach that engaged key stakeholders and reflected the community’s voice.
Thoughtful use of data to inform decisions and ensure the plan’s flexibility and relevance.
Thanks to Alanna Howard’s guidance and the expertise of Garrison Consulting Group, CISCC now has a strong, actionable plan to guide its work and make a meaningful impact in the coming years.
"Her professionalism and dedication were inspiring, and we highly recommend her to any organization looking to create a thoughtful and effective strategic plan."
If your organization is ready to create a strategic plan that drives results and reflects your mission, contact Garrison Consulting Group today.
Case Study: Unlocking Focus and Growth for Zorya Rose
Executive Summary
Client Name & Industry: Zorya Rose, Systems & Software for Small and Medium Businesses
Key Challenge: Balancing solo entrepreneurship while struggling with unclear target audiences, time-intensive proposals, and unclear growth paths.
Solution: Garrison Consulting Group, led by Alanna Howard, provided strategic planning that clarified client segmentation, streamlined service offerings, and created actionable steps for sustainable growth.
Key Results: Clear audience segmentation, a stress-free “no-pitch” pitching process, enhanced decision-making frameworks, and tailored strategies for scaling effectively.
About the Client
Zorya Rose is a systems and software consultancy founded by Lauren, an entrepreneur passionate about helping small and medium businesses integrate effective technology. These businesses span industries like agriculture, trades, and creative services—often operating offline and underserved by traditional software solutions.
Lauren’s work is unique and deeply customized to her clients' needs. However, as a solo entrepreneur, balancing the demands of client work, marketing, and growing the business proved to be an overwhelming challenge.
The Challenge
Before engaging with Garrison Consulting Group, Lauren faced several stumbling blocks in her business:
Broad Audience Scope: “I have a very broad potential target audience,” Lauren admitted. This made it difficult to tailor her messaging and focus her time on the right clients.
Stressful Pitching Process: With unpaid and often unclear proposals, Lauren found herself pouring time into pitches that either didn’t align with clients’ true needs or didn’t convert into projects. “It was stressful because it took so much time, and even when I finished, it often didn’t feel as clear as it needed to be."
Confusion Over Priorities: Lauren felt stuck trying to determine the direction her business should take. She described being in a state of “analysis paralysis” and unsure how to move forward without spinning in circles.
While she had tried support groups and cohorts in the past, these options didn’t provide the deep, customized guidance she needed. Lauren decided to work with Alanna to bring clarity and control back to her business.
The Solution
Alanna Howard of Garrison Consulting Group stepped in with a personalized and strategic approach tailored to Lauren's specific needs. Key components of the solution included:
1. Defining Lauren’s Audience
Alanna collaborated with Lauren to streamline her broad audience into two clear groups:
Bespoke Clients: Larger businesses needing in-depth, customized software solutions.
Foundational Clients: Smaller operations looking for quick setup services like “done-in-a-day” solutions.
Lauren described this as a turning point. “That Venn diagram moment was huge. It helped me break down what felt so big and separate clients into clear categories.”
2. Productizing Services
To reduce inefficiencies in her pitching process, Lauren worked with Alanna to productize some of her services. By integrating strategy sessions as part of her process, Lauren eliminated the need for unpaid proposals while offering clients time to better understand their needs.
“It became clear that people might actually pay for the upfront thought process, and instead of having to ‘guess’ with pitches, I now offer defined strategy meetings before projects even start. That was game-changing.”
3. A Framework for Decision-Making
Alanna introduced structured frameworks to help Lauren prioritize tasks and decisions. The collaboration untangled overwhelming processes into actionable steps.
“She helped me lay everything out in a way that felt organized,” Lauren explained. “Having someone who could challenge and guide my thinking made all the difference.”
4. Adaptability in Strategic Planning
Lauren appreciated the balance Alanna struck between structure and flexibility. “We had plans, but they could change when needed. If something urgent came up, Alanna was there to help me pivot and address it.”
The Results
Lauren experienced measurable improvements in clarity, efficiency, and growth opportunities after working with Alanna and Garrison Consulting Group:
Stress-Free Pitching: Lauren implemented a “no-pitch” strategy, replacing unpaid proposals with paid strategy sessions. This process saved her time and stress while giving clients greater clarity about their needs.
Targeted Marketing: By defining two distinct client categories, Lauren could focus her messaging—using LinkedIn for larger bespoke clients and Instagram to connect with foundational ones.
Efficient Service Models: The productized offerings allowed Lauren to serve her clients with quick, effective solutions while reducing the workload of building customized proposals for every potential project.
Actionable Growth Roadmap: With a clear structure in place, Lauren felt confident testing and scaling her ideas. “I finally have a roadmap to see where I’m going—and it’s not just theoretical anymore.”
Renewed Confidence: One of the most impactful outcomes for Lauren was recognizing and leveraging her own strengths. “What I bring isn’t just software. It’s the ability to get to the deeper issues my clients are facing—and Alanna helped me see that.”
Lauren summarized the overall impact by saying, “This process has changed how I work and how I grow. It made stressful parts of my business manageable, and I can finally see the path forward.”
Reflection & Endorsement
Lauren described working with Alanna as both empowering and revealing.
“Having someone truly examine my business—who respected my unique needs but wasn’t afraid to challenge me—was beyond valuable. It’s not about cookie-cutter advice; it’s about clarity that’s specific to you.”
Lauren also highlighted how much she appreciated the collaborative and kind approach Alanna brought to their sessions.
“It’s like having someone on your board to keep pushing you, but always in a kind way.”
When asked if she’d recommend Garrison Consulting Group, Lauren enthusiastically said, “Absolutely.”
“If you’re ready to try new things and step forward, Alanna’s combination of strategy and practical follow-ups is priceless. I wouldn’t have made the progress I did without her.”
Key Takeaway
Running a business solo can be overwhelming, but with the right partner, it’s possible to transform that complexity into clarity. Garrison Consulting Group offers actionable, customized strategies that help small businesses like Zorya Rose thrive.
Interested in seeing how Alanna and Garrison Consulting Group can help your business succeed? Contact today to start your transformation.