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Nurturing Relationships in an Online World
During this time of social distancing we’ve all had to become more adept at using technology to keep in touch with our teams, clients, suppliers and tradespeople. If you’re beginning to dread having to participate in yet another virtual meeting or conversation, you’re not alone. Many of us are experiencing “Zoom” fatigue, and that includes…
Read MoreFocus on Business Essentials
All businesses have their ups and downs, good times and not-so-good times. When business is lean, like now, two things will help you pull through. One, keep in mind that the present situation is only temporary. The good times will return. Two, use the time you have now to focus on the essentials, so when…
Read MoreChoosing Software to Manage Your Design Business
By Gail Doby, ASID CVO & Co-Founder, Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting & Design Success University Photo taken by Dana McGrath Designers soon learn that their life revolves around paperwork. Proposals, contracts, purchase orders, manifests, receipts, invoices, payments, and more keeping piling up while the design work goes on. You need some way to manage…
Read MoreThree Keys to Effective Communication
By Drue Lawlor, FASID Director of Coaching, Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting & Design Success University Have you ever had problems during a design job or within your design firm? It would probably be more effective to say, “who hasn’t”, but did you ever think about the crux of the matter? Let’s say you arrive…
Read MoreCounsel Clients When Selling Your Design Concept
Managing client expectations is one of the most challenging aspects of the initial phase of a design project. Clients often have only a vague idea of what they want or what their budget will buy them. They have trouble envisioning what the final result will look like or how their lives will be different in…
Read MoreHow Effective IS Your Firm’s Mission Statement?
By Drue Lawlor, FASID Director of Coaching at DSU I’m certain that most of you are thinking “been there, done that,” but then let me ask you a few questions. Can everyone on your internal team recite your mission statement from memory? If your mission statement were shared with your clients, would they say that…
Read MoreWhy That New Idea May Not Be The Best Idea
By Gail Doby, ASID CVO & Co-Founder, Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting & Design Success University As designers we are always looking for new solutions to our clients’ problems. We scan the design magazines, trade shows and the Internet looking for a new product, a new technique, a new application, or just a fresh approach,…
Read MoreWhere Does Client Loyalty Come From?
By Drue Lawlor, FASID Gail Doby Certified Coach & Director of Coaching at DSU If you are focusing on and attracting your ideal clients they you naturally want to develop client loyalty which, in turn, can lead to a higher client lifetime value. In a blog from Ross Beard on Client Heartbeat, a company offering…
Read MoreUsing Your Contract As A Work Plan
By Gail Doby, ASID CVO & Co-Founder, Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting & Design Success University Getting a client’s signature on a contract is a great feeling. You’ve sealed the deal. Now you can take off your salesperson hat, put on your designer hat, and get to work. But wait! Don’t take that contract and…
Read MoreHow’s It Working Out For You So Far This Year?
We’re in a mastermind group that we joined in mid November, and the leader sent an email on Monday asking what our “wins” were since joining the group. I made a quick list of 12 items and most of them were big and impactful for our company. If he hadn’t asked, I might have discounted…
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