John Costigan Companies Develop Cohesive Brand Image and Streamlines Distribution of Kitted Training Materials

Located in Cary, N.C. and founded in 2000, John Costigan Companies is a leading provider of customized sales training that is done live and impromptu, in front of corporations of all sizes across the globe.  John Costigan, founder and president, has led thousands of sales training classes around the world, for some of the world’s top companies including Tommy Hilfiger, IBM, Experian, Hewlett-Packard, Slazenger Golf, Exxon-Mobil, Global Knowledge and SAS.    

With a growing customer base and the demanding training schedule that ensued, the company sought an end-to-end solution to handle everything from design to delivery of their kitted training materials for improving selling skills. 

Previous training materials consisted of a very simple black and white spiral-bound manual with a laminated cover, which did not portray the level of excitement and excellence brought forth in the training classes.  Everything from the graphics to the color scheme took away from the John Costigan Companies brand image.

	Using multiple vendors to coordinate the delivery of our products was risky and unreliable. Standard Register took hold of the problem and provided a safe and strategic solution that aligns with the brand of excellence our customers have come to expect.
	- John Costigan Founder and President John Costigan Companies

In addition, while materials were produced by a local vendor, which simplified the order process, the company was experiencing tight delivery issues.  Materials were not arriving on time to training destinations, ultimately compromising the learning experience.

Turning to Standard Register, John Costigan Companies has brought a whole new look and feel to their training materials.  A team of skilled designers redesigned the primary course training manual, adding eye-catching color and streamlining the content flow.  Furthermore, training materials are now more relevant to each participant through personalization.  Leveraging variable print technology, training manuals are personalized for each customer account where training is being performed. 

Training manuals, name badges and laminated quick-reference cards are produced on demand, kitted with customer-supplied items – including business cards, CDs and Costigan trinkets – and shrink wrapped together in advance of shipping, eliminating the need for manual collation by the presenter.     

The company also benefits from added operational efficiencies through Standard Register’s management of the daily fulfillment of Internet orders for CD purchases made through the Costigan Web site.  With the production and delivery of timely, up-to-date training materials managed through a single provider, John Costigan Companies now takes a more active role in coaching and supporting trainees, rather than focusing on time-consuming administrative tasks. 

“Using multiple vendors to coordinate the delivery of our products was risky and unreliable,” Costigan said.  “Standard Register took hold of the problem and provided a safe and strategic solution that aligns with the brand of excellence our customers have come to expect.”