Quality of coworkers, tools, and environment are three aspects of employee satisfaction that will occasionally often be neglected (to one degree or another) by employers. Yet, each has a major impact on staff retention.

According to an oft-repeated cliché, “May you live in interesting times” constitutes a particularly malevolent curse in the Chinese language. Like it or not, these days are indisputably interesting times in the field of defense acquisitions.

"We will get a huge circus tent , with open sides on both ends to usher in and out the hundreds of guests that will attend. We will put our highest performance vehicles on display so visitors can touch and feel the quality. We will have mounted engines, chassis, cut-a-way models, accessories, performance charts and graphics, racing vehicles, performance tests, resource libraries, driving video games, give-a-ways, and live entertainment as well as high powered presentations and music."

Application of best practices for user interface development helps to ensure that programs are intuitive with a logical flow and strong visual cues, and that these positive attributes are further supported by Help/Instructions accessed through an easily recognizable mechanism.

Trinity writes about its early years of great experience with HostMySite.com. However, after the company merged with Hosting.com, the experience went downhill fast.

The 2009 Tour de France came to its conclusion this week in front of a record audience on the Champs-Élysées. I found it to be an interesting exercise to compare winning the Tour to winning federal business.

Proposal Director Mike Schutz writes about SF330 development: how A/E firms can separate themselves from the pack by handing this standard form properly.

In the rush to the Web over the last dozen years, much attention has been given to the website "user experience". To a certain degree, this extensive dialogue has been reapplied to print marketing pieces as graphic designers strive to combine traditional print design with visual elements familiar to web users.

The John C. Grimberg Company, Inc., an award-winning general and mechanical contractor that has served the Washington DC metropolitan area for over 55 years, has commended Trinity for its range of creative and technical services.

Here is the methodology that Trinity uses when performing backup and disaster recovery planning for a client. This article follows Is Your Network Data Backed Up? Are Your Sure?.

Proposals bust be relevant to the concerns of the buyer. Don't fill in your proposals with boilerplate marketing material!

Are the skills necessary for a good marital relationship similar to that of a good relationship with your customer? Trinity CEO Peter Mirus explores the similarities between the two.

Here is an example of how the designer can help at a press check. I recently attended the press run of 25,000 4-Color books, which I had designed. After the job was set up on the press, I was called to look at the initial review sheets, and noticed that the registration (the 4 layers of overlapping process colors) was slightly off.

Mergers, acquisitions, and expanding product lines can create unique challenges when it comes to designing and producing trade show and retail product displays.

Below are 3 additional sets of preliminary designs created for CONFLUENCE Watersports. These trade show and retail displays explore optional approaches that allow the client to showcase their branded kayaks and kayak accessories.

One of the features of Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) is built-in Developer Tools, and one of those tools is the ability to emulate Internet Explorer 7 (IE7). This would ostensibly make life easier for the developer. In fact, in development experience at Trinity such has not proven to be the case.

Browser compatibility, or the ability of a web site/application to work in multiple browsers, is a concern for every web developer. Recent statistics show that five web browsers hold significant market share. The leaders in that report (in order from greatest to least) are Firefox, Internet Explorer 7, Internet Explorer 8, Internet Explorer 6, and Chrome.

The Building Society Through Business™ brand was developed by Trinity to emphasize its commitment to build society through business action.

Trinity provides consulting services that strengthen society by promoting ethical, profitable business strategies and by encouraging effective, respectful communication.  We hire and train men and women who are “true consultants” that act in the best interests of the client with intelligence, skill, sound judgment, character and determination.

Moreover, Trinity takes an interest in charitable enterprise and contributes both time and money to worthy causes that seek to build society. We support both national and local organizations that focus on strengthening the underpinnings of our society: God, family, and work.

The Building Society Through Business™ (BSTB) brand depicts a flowchart as the root system of a fruit tree. The brand illustrates that well-performed business organically both produces corporate growth and also bears fruit for the good of all members of society.

Trinity Consulting, Inc. (Trinity) released the Building Society Through Business™ brand last Friday. The purpose of the brand is to provide a clear visual representation of Trinity’s commitment to build society through business action.

Three years ago, Trinity collected research from diverse sources about increasing business efficiency through Information Technology. Specifically, we were looking for low-cost solutions that did not require implementation of sophisticated process automation.

Capture planning is the strategic determination of how to “capture” opportunities and turn them into lucrative realities.

During my (lustrous) career using ColdFusion, I have seen a lot change! One of the most important changes was the introduction of Object Oriented Programming (OOP) interface with ColdFusion 6 in the year 2002. This finally provided a logical way to separate functions and procedures into discrete bundles for reuse. More features and improvements to the OOP interface were found in subsequent ColdFusion releases, continuing up to the present.

Once you have your http proxy in place, another layer of protection is to enable content filtering. Most companies fail to do this because they are afraid their employees will revolt, but content filtering can be used effectively to prevent malicious sites and programs from infecting your network.

Because Trinity’s copywriting work is so transformative, we often refer to it as “strategic copywriting”. The reason? Trinity doesn’t just “write to spec”—we help you create the specifications to makes sure your materials have maximum impact.

Internet Explorer 8 can be customized in many ways, but some changes made directly to the browser--not a plug-in/add-in--will benefit power users the most. Here are two.

Trinity's graphic design process focuses intently on the client's need to communicate its message, mission, and unique benefits to its target audience.

Filled with excitement, I jumped on the DC Metro last Saturday and headed for the EE2 (ExpressionEngine 2.0) Workshop hosted at CDIA. The presenter was Zac Gordon, an accomplished web design and development teacher in the MD/DC area.

Since Trinity Consulting does a good amount of work in both the for-profit non-profit sectors, we occasionally serve as a sounding board for individuals who are contemplating the career leap from for-profit to non-profit. This is particularly true as Trinity assists our clients with staff recruitment.

Choose a typeface, and you’ve made a design decision. If something “as simple as that” has a great impact on the effectiveness of your written materials—and it certainly does—what impact will “more significant” decisions have?

During 2010 the greatest potential threat to business network (i.e., computer) infrastructure is a "bot", a type of malware that allows an unauthorized individual to gain complete control over a particular computer or network of systems.

Education is the primary practical step to keep the network secure and business data safe. Employees need to understand that if an unauthorized individual has successfully infiltrated a computer, he or she can cause immense and often irreparable damage to the employee, as well as to the company.

Trinity employs certified systems administrators and application developers with expertise in network security, web technologies, and Information Management (including MS SharePoint deployment, configuration and management).

Trinity supports its B2G communication work with in-house Information Management expertise, ensuring that the client proposal development process is efficient and that client data is protected.

Trinity's Art Director discusses part of the design process in the creation of the Supplier Management Council logo for the Aerospace Industries Association.

My web developer colleagues could tell you...I sound like a broken record when it comes to complaining about Microsoft’s web browser, Internet Explorer (IE). And in most cases, I’d say such diatribes are well-warranted. But instead of going on a rant in this article, I figured I would take a more rational approach. Let's take a brief look at some of the known downsides of IE and shed light on some alternative browsers.

The John Carroll Society, an organization that promotes the enhancement of spiritual, intellectual and social fellowship among hundreds of professional members in the DC Metropolitan area, has commended Trinity for its provision of effective strategic and web design and development services.

Understanding how the government solicits business and evaluates proposals is critical for those who want to win contracts. This was discussed in Trinity's recent Proposals Done Right workshop.

The two largest contributing factors to Trinity's success are (1) the character of our staff and (2) their drive to discover better solutions to problems/challenges.

Proposal developers often erroneously assume that government proposal evaluators for any given proposal are thoroughly familiar with the solicited project or contract, as well as the overall requirements and layout of the RFP.

Have you ever received a client application request that at first glance seemed easy and straight forward, but after you start to write the application, you have a list of questions that is longer than the original request?

Coordinating partner work within the proposal development process is of vital importance to crafting a compliant and effective response. Key subcontractors and vendors make up part of your team—from whom you must obtain timely and effective information for integration into your proposal.

Trinity works with Michelin to help perpetuate a versatile corporate mascot.

An industry-leading national trade association (members include 19 of top 20 corporations in the industry, as ranked by FORTUNE) has commended Trinity on its work for the Association since 2008. The statement was provided by the Association's Assistant Vice President of Communications.

In today’s market, being on the web is imperative for most businesses. The degree to which each business needs a web presence is determined by the expectations of the market: you need to respond to the needs of your potential/current customers and keep your competitive advantage. These are the primary considerations when exploring the necessary scope of building a new web presence.

In a previous article, I discussed using the proposal overview to ensure compliance. This article discusses a second compliance tool: shell documents, or the “proposal shell.”

Strong, decisive, carefully tailored to each different proposal—Trinity’s proposal writing delivers extremely high-value content: easy for your customer to read; even easier to reward with the contract.

Trinity’s primary role as a consulting firm is to help our clients build context for business decisions. Regardless of the applied Solution Area, Trinity solicits information from the client and then adds its own expertise and insight to create the context in which good business decisions can be made.

Small businesses often wonder at what point, if any, they should seek an outside consultant to provide objective marketing advice or run their marketing functions. There is no clear-cut answer to this question. However, I do offer a few words of advice to small business owners (or managers).

Commercial graphic design is a coordinated process of mutual responsibilities between the client/employer and the graphic designer. This post is intended to be orienting, not comprehensive. However, if the following general principles are observed within projects, you increase the likelihood of getting a superlative design solution in the final product.

Beyond actually having the tools of the trade (or, the ability to produce excellent graphic design), being a good producer of graphic design solutions is about pursuing a true consultative approach.

I recently read an excellent book by David Travis, "The Fable of the User-Centered Designer". It's a short story about a young designer who learns the secrets of user-centered design from three clients of a designer he found in a nearby town. It is a very enjoyable read and the three little lessons learned are great reminders for any designer (or for any executive approaching a product/service design project).

In today's crazy changing web world, a developer has to stay sharp, focused and knowledgeable to consistently deliver a great product. But this doesn't mean spending big bucks and precious sleep time in night class. Here are a few ways Trinity's web development team keeps up to date on the latest and greatest.

From the article “See, Transform, Act”: Trinity’s model of business development derives its uniqueness from the way that Trinity expresses and applies the model’s principles. Trinity’s unique expression and application of SEE, TRANSFORM, ACT comes from deeply seated personal and corporate beliefs about humility, communication and business ethics.

The basis of Trinity's marketing theory is knowledge gained through self-discovery. The path of vision to self-discovery is directly through the eyes of your market.

Trinity's SharePoint demo highlights some key advantages for generating ROI through proper configuration, deployment, and training.

The goal of my recent Strategic and Business Planning workshop was to draw out the difference in roles between strategic and business plans. A good deal of interest is always placed on the difference in mindset in the two processes.

Within your company, some internal business communication is very important—so important that it is documented to create a permanent record, define positions, build consensus, and bolster support.

Trinity's staff creates the blueprint that defines the essential skill set of the true consultant.

Movie buffs may be familiar with the 1965 classic The Agony and the Ecstasy, starring Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II. If my memory serves me correctly, the movie portrays the painting of the Sistine Chapel, including the intellectual relationship between the two lead characters.

One of the unique challenges of business is to step outside of the usual operating mode in order to focus on your marketing message.

"If the customer wants the responses written in quill, printed on papyrus with a bow around it, please conform."

The proposal cover letter, properly constructed, is a vital part of the proposal that should not be neglected.

It can be a great benefit to have your veteran graphic designer attend the "press check"-the last phase of production for print communications.

Outside of Christian expression, the title "evangelist" is one that has been applied either in an official or unofficial manner to the professional product enthusiast.

I’ve been working with non-profit organizations for 14 years. In that time, I’ve compiled a matrix for non-profit formation built not only on my own experiences, but also on expert consensus. This structure, called the Non-Profit Best Practice Concurrence Matrix%trade; (The Non-Profit Matrix™, for short), was first composed in my thoughts and project notes, subsequently researched, and then finally assembled into structured document/presentation form in early 2009.

Trinity's fondness and sympathy for non-profit concerns stems primarily from one source: our staff, who genuinely care about the greater good, and desire to make the world a better place.

In business as in life, the space between the current situation and an improved situation can seem very far. I think it is important for business development consultants and their clients to keep this in mind: not everything needs to happen at once.

Commercial printing has not "gone away" as some cyber publishing enthusiasts predicted. Environmentally friendly inks, high efficiency paper recycling, and state of the art presses have allowed commercial printing to remain an invaluable business communications medium. So, how do you get an important communications piece designed and printed? You enlist a print-savvy graphic designer and engage the Print-Design-Production-Cycle.

The promise of Trinity’s marketing approach is that it is based in truth. There’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” marketing approach. Who are you? Who does your customer want you to be; i.e, what is the truth of your situation? That’s what dictates your proper approach.

One of the important ways in which Trinity helps clients is by developing a "language" which the client uses to express its vision of itself—including its core beliefs, competencies, and products/services.

Probably the most fun part of Strategic Planning for any organization—and one of the most healthy parts—is taking the time to envision the future success of the business.

A reader requested that I provide some thoughts directed at sole proprietors who are just getting started in business. This got me wondering: what sort of advice would I give to someone who was in the process of setting up their first business? Here are some tips.

The SEE part of “See, Transform, Act” presents a roadmap for growing business through an effective market approach. In the TRANSFORM part of the model, the company readies itself for this approach by applying necessary internal change.

IT consulting veteran Kevin Fox, a systems administrator for Trinity Consulting, a full service marketing technology firm, addressed the National SharePoint User's Conference in Washington DC on MOSS Deployments, Lessons Learned on June 25th, 2008.

Dr. Jeffrey Mirus has retired as Chief Executive Officer at Trinity Consulting, Inc. (Trinity) after holding the position for 13 years. Former Chief Operating Officer Peter Mirus will assume the CEO role, effective August 1, 2009.

Following a keynote presentation on business strategy and planning by Peter Mirus, CEO of Trinity Consulting, to the board members of the Catholic Medical Association, the group’s Executive Director issued the following statement:

Trinity Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Pablo Gomez, led a roundtable discussion titled "Doing business with the Federal Government". This first in a two-part series focused specifically on best practices in Business Development and Capture Management.

Trinity Proposal Director Ryan Callaghan led a roundtable discussion titled "Doing business with the Federal Government, Part II". This second part of the presentation series begun in December 2008, focused specifically on proposal development and management best practices.

Trinity recently received an outstanding review from NovusCG, a leading provider of enterprise storage solutions. In particular, the commendation highlighted Trinity’s unique ability to identify and understand client needs, before developing and executing winning strategic marketing solutions.

Dr Andrew Abela, Associate Professor at the Department of Business and Economics at The Catholic University of America, has commended Trinity on its web development efforts for his new “Extreme Presentation” website.

In less than one year, Trinity has more than doubled its customer base across multiple lines of business including proposal development, web development, and marketing strategy consulting.

A Fortune 1000 federal systems integrator has engaged Trinity's proposal development services to provide support in the acquisition of key task orders on multiple large contract vehicles.

Trinity Consulting, Inc. (Trinity) became an Adobe Solution Partner in March 2010 by demonstrating a commitment to developing and integrating client solutions using Adobe technologies.

Trinity Consulting, Inc. (Trinity),  announces that it has moved its headquarters location to 9200 Church Street in historic Old Town Manassas, VA.  The new location provides Trinity with increased office space and a central location from which to serve its growing client base.

In recent weeks, Trinity has been working on a valuable application for a leading construction contractor ("the contractor") whose primary work comes through federal contracts.

From Part 1: Trinity will be integrating three tools from the suite's toolset to improve the bid solicitation process: the Communications System, the Bidders List, and the Project File Management/Download System.

Trinity Consulting, Inc. (Trinity) extended its commitment to education in the Manassas, Virginia area by participating as one of two Gold Sponsors (along with GlassHouse Technologies) for the annual Renaissance Montessori School (RMS) fundraising event in February 20, 2010.

Trinity Consulting, Inc. (Trinity) is holding a two day "meet the experts" event to welcome members of the business community to meet and learn from Trinity's experts in the Strategic, Design, Web, Information Technology, and Proposal solution areas.

Trinity recently garnered high praise from a healthcare technology analytics firm for its full-scope proposal development services. The firm engaged Trinity to respond to a complex federal RFP seeking a system to monitor and report upon emerging healthcare technologies.

GTM Medical Consulting, LLC, a highly-regarded medical consulting group that has grown to 24 active clients in less than three years, has praised Trinity’s web design and development capabilities.

Trinity Consulting, Inc. (Trinity) recently received an outstanding review from an Executive Director at a Fortune 1000 proposal development client.

Potomac Economics, a leading provider of independent market monitoring, expert analysis and advice, and litigation support services to the electricity and natural gas industries, has praised Trinity for its web design and development work.

A Mid-Atlantic complete communications solutions provider has engaged Trinity’s strategic and proposal development services to provide support in the acquisition of key contracts in the area of integrated GPS tracking and diagnostic monitoring for superior fleet cost/productivity management. The client will be pursuing contracts nationwide.

Trinity Consulting’s Meet the Experts event on May 12, 2010 proved a success, as members of the Northern Virginia business community gathered to learn more about Trinity’s consulting philosophy, expertise, and experience.

Within each subcategory of the uber-category "Business Development" there are many professional business consultants providing an extreme variance in value accompanied by an extreme variance in pricing.

A truly effective proposal does not merely present your solution; it distinguishes your company and solution from the competition.

Web Development is about conveying a message not about looking good. Very often the primary goals of web projects are focused on improving look and feel.

In this workshop we focused on presenting some of the online applications/tools that Trinity has used to improve its own business operations, and how they may do the same for our clients.

As mentioned in my last post, here is the second half of my review of some web tools that Trinity uses to facilitate business success in the areas of Time Tracking, Web Conferencing, and Online Office Productivity.

Copywriting, simply stated, is the process of using words to promote something or someone. Once a term that only pertained to writing for traditional (old, legacy) media, in contemporary parlance “copywriting” also includes writing for new media (such as the web). Good copywriting is a part of good brand development, and as such is of great benefit to any company.

The proverbially tough proposal writer should keep these observations in mind when going through intense periods of challenge in the proposal season.