The GROWth Positioning Diagnostic
Most marketing vendors start with a proposal. We start with a diagnosis.
Is this Diagnostic Right For You?
IDEAL FOR:
Community banks seeking an objective marketing evaluation
Marketing leaders looking for an outside perspective
Institutions preparing for growth initiatives
Teams looking to improve visibility and engagement
Banks wanting actionable recommendations—not generic advice
A Comprehensive Analysis Across Six Critical Areas
The GROWth Positioning Diagnostic evaluates six key areas that influence visibility, growth, customer engagement and competitive position.
Brand & Market Position
How clearly does your institution stand apart from competitors in your market?
Strong differentiation requires a clear and compelling market position.
We evaluate:
Brand clarity
Market differentiation
Customer perception
Digital Presence & Visability
Can prospective customers easily find and engage with your institution online?
Strong digital performance requires more than simply having a website.
We evaluate:
Website effectiveness
Search visibility
Online user experience
Compliance Posture
Are your marketing efforts supporting growth while maintaining compliance?
Sustainable growth requires balancing innovation with regulatory expectations.
We evaluate:
Compliance practices
Risk exposure areas
Regulatory alignment
Content & Communications
Are your messages building trust, educating customers, and driving engagement?
Effective communication requires consistency across channels and audiences.
We evaluate:
Content strategy
Message consistency
Communication effectiveness
Customer & Community
Are you creating meaningful experiences that strengthen loyalty and deepen relationships?
Lasting relationships are built through meaningful customer and community engagement.
We evaluate:
Customer journey
Community engagement
Relationship opportunities
Competitive Intelligence
How effectively are you positioning your institution against competitors?
Strategic growth requires identifying opportunities that competitors may overlook.
We evalute:
Competitive positioning
Market opportunities
Strategic advantages
The most effective strategies begin with clarity. Without an accurate diagnosis, even the best intentions can lead to missed opportunities and unintended results.
The GROWth Positioning Diagnostic — What You Receive
Full written diagnostic report — 12–18 pages covering all six critical areas with specific findings, evidence and prioritized recommendations for each
Compliance Alerts — one page, red/yellow/green format, designed for your compliance team to review and act on immediately
Priority Action Rx — all recommendations plotted by impact and effort, so you know exactly where to focus first
30-minute debrief — a personal consultation with Bethany Meadows to discuss findings and answer questions
The GROWth Positioning Diagnostic
Standard investment:
$1,500
Main Street Growth Discount*
$1,125
*Main Street Growth Discount applies to community banks with less than $250M of assets.
Delivered within two weeks of engagement.
The Diagnostic fee is credited toward your first retainer month if you proceed with an ongoing engagement.
THE STRATEGIST BEHIND THE DIAGNOSTIC
Bethany Meadows
Founder & Chief Growth Strategist
Vertical Solutions Media
Since founding Vertical Solutions Media in 2008, Bethany and her team have helped hundreds of organizations strengthen their market position, improve customer engagement and identify opportunities for growth.
30+ years of marketing leadership across corporate and agency environments
Extensive experience serving regulated industries, including banking, financial services and insurance
Multi-business owner and entrepreneur with firsthand experience leading growth, strategic planning and organizational change
Proven track record helping organizations strengthen positioning, clarify strategy and identify growth opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GROWth Positioning Diagnostic?
The GROWth Positioning Diagnostic is a comprehensive review of six critical areas that influence your institution's visibility, customer engagement, competitive position, and growth opportunities. The process is designed to provide objective insights and practical recommendations tailored to your institution.
How is this different from a traditional marketing audit?
Most marketing audits focus primarily on tactics such as websites, social media or advertising. The GROWth Positioning Diagnostic takes a broader view by evaluating brand position, digital presence, communications, customer experience, competitive positioning and compliance considerations to identify opportunities for growth.
Who is this diagnostic designed for?
The diagnostic is designed specifically for community banks seeking an outside perspective on their market position, marketing effectiveness and growth opportunities. It is especially valuable for executive leadership, marketing leaders and growth-focused teams.
What will we receive?
Every diagnostic includes:
✓ A 12-18 page written report with detailed findings
✓ A one-page Compliance Flag Summary
✓ A Priority Action Matrix to help focus resources
✓ A 30-minute personal debrief with Bethany Meadows
How long does the process take?
Most diagnostics are completed within 2 weeks, depending on the availability of information and the complexity of the institution.
Do we need to provide access to internal systems?
No. The diagnostic is designed to leverage publicly available information, existing marketing assets and information provided by your institution. No access to internal banking systems is required.
Are we required to hire Vertical Solutions Media afterward?
No. The GROWth Positioning Diagnostic is a standalone service, and you are under no obligation to engage Vertical Solutions Media for additional services.
If you choose to partner with VSM following the diagnostic, the full cost of the diagnostic will be credited toward your first month's retainer. This allows you to gain valuable insights and recommendations upfront while applying your investment toward implementation if you decide to move forward.
What happens after we submit a request?
Bethany personally reviews each request to ensure the diagnostic is a good fit. Once approved, you'll receive information about the process, timeline and next steps for getting started.