You know there are times when you’ve recently completed an fantastic project. You’ve learned a ton, invented fresh solution approaches, and even pushed the boundaries with your creative thinking. The achievement was massive, you want to tell the whole world about it.
But, being a confidential project, you can’t!
You signed an NDA. The client has told you several times that you can’t even whisper anything about the project to anyone, let alone write about it.
You know prospects will be impressed by your achievements.
So, how do you market your skills and accomplishments from such projects without breaching confidentiality?
Well, it’s all about being strategic and creative in how you present your abilities.
Let’s discuss five techniques in this article.
Extract Replicable Frameworks
When working on confidential projects, look for key frameworks, methodologies or processes that could be extracted and presented generically.
For example, let’s say XYZ Video Productions completed a top-secret project for ABC Healthcare. They developed a unique 4-step process for conducting multi-location video shoots with healthcare professionals.
Rather than detailing the specifics of that project, XYZ Video could extract their process into a framework they dub “The Mobile Video Production System.” In their marketing materials, they would explain that this is a 4-phase approach to efficiently capturing high-quality footage across multiple locations in a short time frame.
By removing client identifiers and details, XYZ can showcase their innovation while protecting ABC Healthcare’s confidential information. This demonstrates XYZ’s versatility without divulging protected details of their work with clients.
Spotlight Your Processes
Beyond highlighting your innovative frameworks, also consider showcasing your ability to optimize workflows and processes without disclosing confidential details.
For example, XYZ Video may have developed project management techniques for executing complex, multi-day video shoots for the healthcare industry. Rather than detailing a specific client project, they could write:
“Our production team has specialized expertise in streamlining process flows for multifaceted media projects within highly regulated environments. We bring experience optimizing scheduling, client communications, and on-site workflows to maximize productivity for every shoot, while ensuring privacy and compliance.”
This section focuses on process optimization and project execution capabilities, whereas the previous section focused on replicable frameworks and methodologies. By showcasing your process innovation skills separately, you can provide a fuller picture of your expertise.
Discuss your ability to analyze pain points in current workflows and develop optimized processes tailored to client industries. This highlights important skills without divulging confidential details.
Discuss Broad Applications
When presenting your frameworks and processes from confidential projects, explore how they could be applicable to other industries and clients.
For example, Acme Software Company might have developed an optimized process for conducting remote brainstorming sessions with busy professionals during a confidential project. They could write:
“Our streamlined system for interviewing and synthesizing feedback from distributed teams and specialists could benefit companies who need to quickly gather perspectives from diverse experts. While initially devised for software design, this process could enable firms in industries like business consulting, market research, and more to efficiently conduct remote brainstorming sessions.”
This demonstrates how Acme’s innovations in gathering insights remotely could translate across other industries needing to connect with distributed teams or specialists. Discussing the versatility of their process highlights flexible expertise without divulging confidential details.
Exploring potential broader uses indicates you can adapt specialized processes beyond niche applications. This presents a wide scope of capabilities while protecting sensitive client information.
Develop Compliant Content
There are several content formats you can leverage to ethically showcase expertise from confidential projects, including:
Blog Posts and Articles
Write posts that explore industry challenges, emerging trends, or best practices within your field. Avoid discussing specifics of confidential projects. Rather, focus on insights applicable across the industry.
For example, an AI developer could write a blog post on “Ethical Considerations for AI in Healthcare” without divulging confidential work.
Whitepapers and Ebooks
Develop reports that provide frameworks, strategic recommendations, and thought leadership for your field. Ensure these are based on generalizable learnings rather than a specific client engagement.
Case Studies
Create compliant case studies by aggregating lessons from multiple confidential projects into a single fictionalized example. Omit all identifiable client details and only showcase capacities.
Webinars/Talks
Deliver presentations at industry events about key skills, frameworks, or processes extracted from your experience. Avoid disclosing details of individual clients or projects.
When creating any form of content based on confidential work, obtain client approval if required by contract. Only present insights in an ethical manner that protects client confidentiality. With thoughtful consideration, you can develop compliant materials that position your expertise.
Conclusion
Working on confidential projects for clients provides wonderful opportunities to develop new skills and innovate processes. While you may be restricted from sharing details of these engagements, you can still showcase your expanded capabilities in an ethical manner.
Focus on extracting replicable frameworks, highlighting process optimization abilities, discussing broad applications, and developing compliant content. By doing so strategically, you can market your expertise without divulging protected details. Demonstrate to prospects how you can apply specialized skills to solve their unique problems.
If you would like guidance on presenting your skills in a compliant and effective way, please reach out. I would be happy to provide a free consultation about showcasing your expertise while maintaining confidentiality. Let’s discuss how to position your accomplishments to attract ideal clients and new opportunities.