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How to Run a Successful Design Business and How to Market Design Consultancy Services: Two Volume Set
Ashgate Publishing, April 2011, Pages: 50
This two volume set includes Shan Preddy's two 'must-have' professional practice guides for designers: How to Market Design Consultancy Services (Second Edition) and How to Run a Successful Design Business.
Many design companies, the world over, are small businesses, with 75% employing fewer than 10 people full-time, and with a very variable level of profitability. Although their design skills are excellent, they need - with some notable exceptions - guidance on running their businesses.
Shan Preddy's two books provide just that: concise, pragmatic, advice from an author team with experience that spans all sectors of design; everything a design company owner needs to know, including, among other areas:
- Creativity: keeping it fresh;
- Business legal type, structure;
- Staff recruitment, management, motivation: permanent vs freelance;
- Job management systems;
- Marketing, sales, profile raising, PR, reputation;
- Client relationships, satisfaction, retention, development;
- Fees and negotiation;
- Procurement, rosters;
- Exporting, local vs global offices;
- Legal: IPR, contracts;
- Owning vs renting: property, equipment;
- Lifecycles: start ups, mergers/acquisitions, business sales, retirement/exit;
- Top tips from successful design companies: 'How we did it';
- Useful non-commercial UK and worldwide organisations (eg Design Council; DBA, D&AD, CSD, BDI, RSA, Design Partners, PDA, DMI etc).
Reviews:
'Don't mistake business savvy for drudgery. It makes you a better designer. The more you know about business, the better you'll be at seeing the world from your clients' point of view, working out what they need and spotting opportunities for them … this book is good news. Whether you're starting out or an experienced veteran, the wisdom in these pages will help to make being in business a positive experience.' - David Kester, Chief Executive, Design Council
'A well informed and, at times, surprising wealth of information; which whilst acknowledging extremely well the traits of the design sector provides sound advice for any modern business. The book explores so many important facets, which you can easily dip in and out of. And I particularly like the use of quotes at the start of each chapter, which add an interesting mix of humour and philosophy.' - Adryan Bell
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