Areas of Expertise

Marga’s methodology is based on strategic planning, engaging a range of stakeholders around assets to build upon, obstacles to consider, opportunities to pursue, and threats to overcome.  We help initiatives craft appropriate missions and visions, identify competitive advantages, and develop realistic short and long term action plans.

Whether initiatives are forming or seeking to improve, they require data to best inform increased effectiveness. Marga is often called upon to provide research to strengthen client pursuits. Marga is qualified to provide quantitative research, assessing existing data sets or developing new ones for regression or other forms of analysis. Moreover, much of our work involves qualitative research, engaging in focus groups or interviews, developing case studies, and conducting content analyses.

As many clients approach Marga seeking assistance with pursuing new ideas, we are often positioned to assist in creating new programs. Marga’s strategic planning assistance aids the conception and design of new efforts. Additionally, Marga assists in building new programs that move from planning to implementation.

Marga conducts assessments and evaluations of all forms, both to develop new initiatives and to monitor the progress of existing efforts. We develop theories of change, logic models, design metrics, conduct pre and post assessments, and engage in all aspects associated with creating indicators, guiding direction, and composing analysis, reflection, and recommendations.

Marga has developed numerous reports for clients. In all of our substantive areas of work, we have published numerous books and articles based on Marga’s work. Most research requested by our clients leads to some form of a report – some only for internal uses, and others for public consumption. Our reports have been widely disseminated throughout philanthropic and various relevant fields.

Strategic planning requires meeting facilitation. Overall, Marga’s work involves extensive meeting preparation, organizing travel, inviting participants, designing agendas, taking minutes, and beyond. Marga has become known for facilitating learning exchanges that allow peers to simultaneously enhance knowledge and capacity. We have facilitated large meetings that have formed innovative partnerships.

Speaking engagements can provide unique short term opportunities to bring in the ideas of informed outsiders to stimulate internal dialogue or bring credibility to a particular point of view. Marga’s speaking engagements have spanned the globe, allowing for presentations on learning from our work. These engagements help inviting parties expand their breadth of understanding of strategy, partnerships, or any other ideas central to Marga’s work. These engagements often catalyze new ideas and even new formations.

Marga’s breadth of relationships has enabled numerous opportunities to broker mutually beneficial partnerships. Over the years, Marga’s ties to private philanthropic endeavors and other public and private actors has enabled introductions that have led to millions of dollars in investments. Marga has leveraged funding for numerous partnerships and other initiatives throughout the United States.