It’s sad but true; clients don’t see design as creating value for them. They are focussed on getting a competitive advantage, selling more products or services, making bigger profits.
Working from home and remote working has made it difficult to build and maintain a studio culture. Where we once sat alongside each other all day every day, now we might catch up just once a week. We’re unsure how that might impact team spirit, but one studio we’re working with isn’t waiting to find out…
It’s such a simple question: what makes a client choose you over another design supplier?
What can you do or say to attract clients?
Specialising in one service means less competition, higher fees, and the chance to be seen as an industry-leader. No argument, but does it/will it work in Australia?
Why don’t they teach economics in design courses? I guess it’s because many in the design community don’t make the connection between design and economics.
Most designers think others are working on ground-breaking projects while they’re up to their @rse doing grunt work. Truth is, a mix of clients and projects is vital.
How many times have you heard a client say that? They have talked to their partner (life and business), talked to some clients and prepared a brief in their head. Now it is just a matter of getting the job done.
Here’s an exercise done to identify bad clients. It delivers valuable insights, especially if you repeat it a couple times a year.
In 2020 we lost a friend, a client and a great designer, Jack Rodgers. To celebrate Jack’s resilience we’re offering a 12 month mentoring scholarship to an emerging studio.
Apart from productivity increases there are two ways to accrue money: firstly by adding a margin, secondly by adding profit. They are different beasts and we would argue you need both to build a sustainable businesses.
Taking on a design intern can be a win:win scenario. It adds diversity to a stable design team. Designers get management experience, interns get studio experience.
Fundamentally, new business managers are trying to get clients to buy from their studio rather than another …. so does that mean the only skill new business managers need is persuasion?