Case Study:

Strategic Planning Success for HeadsUpGuys.org
Introduction
HeadsUpGuys.org, the world's leading men's mental health resource, engaged Verito Communications & Media Strategies to facilitate a strategic planning session aimed at redefining their mission, improving organizational effectiveness, and crafting a roadmap for sustainable growth. By addressing key challenges and capitalizing on unique opportunities, HeadsUpGuys emerged with a clear strategy to better serve their community and stakeholders.
Challenges
Before the strategic planning session, HeadsUpGuys faced several challenges:
1. Unclear Strategic Direction: The organization struggled to define a cohesive vision and mission.​
2. Resource Limitations: Staff and financial constraints hindered their ability to fully execute plans.​
3. Stakeholder Engagement: Difficulty in aligning internal teams, board members, and external partners around shared goals.​
4. Low Awareness and Engagement: Limited visibility and declining donations restricted their impact.
Objectives
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The strategic planning session aimed to:
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Clarify HeadsUpGuys ' mission, vision, and core values.
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Identify target audiences and tailor messaging for engagement.
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Enhance storytelling to increase reach and conversions.
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Establish actionable goals with measurable outcomes.
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Develop a roadmap for sustainable funding and program expansion.
Our Approach
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Verito’s approach included:
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1. Preparation and Research:
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Conducted stakeholder interviews to understand perspectives and challenges.
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Reviewed organizational documents, reports, and program outcomes.
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Analyzed HeadsUpGuys ’ website and social media performance to identify opportunities for improvement.
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2. Strategic Planning Workshop:
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Facilitated a 1-day session with HeadsUpGuys' team, focusing on mission refinement, target audience definition, and SWOT analysis.
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Identified key strategic issues: storytelling, thought leadership, and community engagement.
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Developed strategies for social media, website optimization, and annual campaigns.
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3. Implementation Framework:
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Delivered a comprehensive strategic plan detailing:
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Mission, vision, and values.
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Key strategies for storytelling and thought leadership.
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Tactical roadmaps for social media, website improvements, and fundraising campaigns.
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Provided a Communications Plan Template to guide future campaign planning and execution.
Key Outcomes
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The strategic planning process resulted in measurable and impactful changes:
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1. Mission and Vision Clarity: HeadsUpGuys.org now has a refined mission and vision to guide decision-making.​
2. Enhanced Stakeholder Alignment: Improved collaboration among board members, staff, and external partners.​
3. Improved Storytelling: Content strategies were developed to engage target audiences more effectively.​
4. Growth Roadmap: A structured plan to increase awareness, improve donor engagement, and expand services.​
5. Increased Efficiency: A streamlined approach to content creation and distribution across platforms.
Client Testimonial
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“Verito’s strategic planning session was an important turning point for our organization. Their insights and actionable strategies provided much-needed clarity and direction for our future, empowering us to better serve our global community and achieve our mission of helping men live healthier and happier lives.”
— Dr. John Ogrodniczuk, UBC Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Psychotherapy Program at UBC, Founder of HeadsUpGuys.org
Why Choose Verito?
Verito Communications & Media Strategies specializes in empowering non-profits and charities to overcome challenges and maximize their impact.