Logo and corporate identity for Negotiation Consulting Firm

Hello, My company, Parry and Riposte, has been in operation for three years. The consulting firm is made up of me (Jamie Gannaway) as Partner and seven (7) staff, offering negotiation advice to firms such as Marks and Spencer, Lloyds Banking Group and currently a major programme with the Financial Services Authority. We are a small management consulting firm focusing on negotiation and turning around poor performing contracts. We currently have no brand presence at all as all work is completed via word of mouth. What we need The following information provides a background to the company, customers and expectations. The work required is: 1. A brand / corporate identity 2. a logo The design concept should be easily translated to a web site, business cards, emails, twitter, linkedin, letterheads and innovative direct mail shots to senior executives at companies. How you would do this should be incoporated into the brief. What does the company name it mean and what do we stand for? The company name is based on the game of fencing. The name is used as a metaphor for negotiation. Parry is a fencing bladework manoeuvre intended to deflect or block an incoming attack. Riposte - to "retort" is an offensive action with the intent of hitting one's opponent, made by the fencer who has just parried an attack. Parry and Riposte is about the art of a successful negotiation, getting things done and remaining entirely action focused - we are all young, driven and energetic and live by the motto that all that is needed to solve a problem is sustained level of enthusiasm and commercial diligence to complete a goal. We do not have the gloss of a big firm and wish always to remain small - and are happy that customers know that we are "boutique". What is a practical example of what we do? Joe Bloggs from company X would give us a call because he is in charge of a department, and the company providing the helpdesk service to his department is failing. Joe spends £5M a year on the helpdesk and his customers are getting annoyed with him because they need to wait so long on the phone. The contract is old, outdated and costs too much. Joe would call us to review the contract, develop a strategy to negotiate with the Supplier and find out his options. Afte he has done this, we would then go and negotiate on his behalf and do a better deal. What do we charge our clients? The day rates of the partners are in the range of £1000 - £1500 per day. We therefore are considered a premium end of the market. Who are our customers? Our customers are FTSE500 companies who are contacted via direct mail, emails or via networking meetings. Who are our competitors? Contractors on the open market Procurement Profesisonals Legal Services Big consulting firms What are our ideas / concepts so far? 1. Obviously the use of two fencers duelling in the brand and style 2. Leverage the fact we are small, youthful and slightly quirky 3. Avoiding boring corporate style - we need to show we are nimble and get results 4. Up market styling that does not look expensive for the sake of it 5. Innovating use of direct mailouts to generate interest and a brand well integrated with social media 6. Attracting a significant user base through Linked In as a network - this is where a lot of customers may be sourced How will I choose the design company / freelancer? 1. how much you understand the brief 2. examples of previous work; and 3. Someone I can talk to and trust 4. Price (in this order) Good luck. Personally I appreciate fantastically executed design and I am looking for someone and a company who will want to have the outcome of this job on the front page of their client list to show as a reference - something you can be proud of. Regards, Jamie.