Scaling a design business is not easy. The battle is to get new business then add designers…

Designers are the disruptors. They move away from technology-driven answers to human centred designs.

In design research you are trying to understand the customers beliefs, experiences, attitudes, behaviour and interactions.

We aim to get recognised and paid for the value we create, not the hours we spend on the project. We want to shift from a cost focus to a value focus.

That’s what design-led businesses do. They see design has a part to play in every part of their business and the actively apply it.

Look at set of core activities found in every business, develop a system to analyse these activities and demonstrate which of them creates value. That’s a design audit.

There’s nothing worse than feeling your not in control of your business. Estimating, time tracking, managing clients and invoicing just mount up.

An ugly thought? No. It’s just caring about your client. They appreciate advice from someone that has their best interest at heart.

What motivates clients? Understanding what motivates clients by using an empathy map to uncover what they feel, say, do and see.

Analysing your clients and the type of work they want is a critical success factor. There are 5 steps in measuring design for client benefit,

Is your business fit for purpose? A fit for purpose business is in the right market at the right time. It has the right pricing structure, the right people in place and systems to make sure your business delivers today and in the future.

We know clients who use design well, those who integrate design throughout their business are more financially successful (think Apple). It’s proven: design helps streamline processes, explain procedures and build a brand culture.