“Good writing has music in it.
And I would add, good design has writing in it. What then does a run-on design look like? A design fragment? A dangling wireframe? Art directed non-sequiturs? So in need of being right, we try to be tidy and squared around the edges, but in fact, perhaps our design work should be less in need of punctuation. Not more.”
– Bobulate
“The way you feel about yourself and your talent sets the tone for all your client interactions. Think of your clients as mirrors. If you complain they don’t treat you well it’s probably because you’ve taught them not to treat you well. If you complain they don’t pay you on time, it’s probably because you’ve taught them not to pay you on time. If you complain they expect you to do work you didn’t agree to, it’s probably because you’ve taught them give you work you didn’t agree to.” – LogoDesignLove
We know, all of these things are easier said than done- especially when you’re super kindhearted by nature. But here’s the thing you can’t forget: you choose how you run your business- not your clients. You should set the standards, and demand they be met. Don’t worry; this doesn’t mean you have to be rude; it just means you have to be firm.
Get out of your comfort zone (pushover, who?), and take a stand. Your clients appreciate boundaries- even if they’ll never admit it out loud.
“The small agency is the engine driving a more positive future for our industry.” – Bart Cleveland in Ad Age
We’ve always thought a small, diverse team with lots of talent can outrun a larger team. In our opinion there are definite benefits to being small.
Celebrating as a team is easier when you’re small… so is recovering from a loss.
We like our small size; it feels natural. It’s where we’re most comfortable, and where we feel we do our best work. We’re not looking to grow; we’re happy just the way we are. We come to work smiling and motivated, and we leave work satisfied and looking forward to the next day. As a final thought, we’re always working toward this balance of work and home. As a final thought, we’re always aiming for a balance of work and home. We try to use this balance as fuel to push our limits as a studio.
Anthony Del Monte thinks What Now? should be the mantra of every studio or small agency.
We totally agree, with a slight twist. We like to ask “What’s the next step?”
It’s how we stay proactive in a world where lots of small projects rule. It’s how we let our clients know we’re ready to move on. It’s how we end practically every internal conversation.
Thinking ahead to the next step is not only crucial to fluidly completing a project, but it’s a great way to stay (literally) one step ahead of everyone else. You’ll have answers to the questions your clients ask, and you’ll have insightful questions to ask them yourself. You’ve already thought beyond the present and now look what you’ve done? You’ve earned your team some credibility.
What’s next is very important.
“It is the voice in your head telling you that you have to keep moving. It is the thought that propels you to understand that industries are constantly evolving and that being ahead of this curve will allow you to keep your small agency open. It isn’t the little engine that could.”
We’d like to congratulate South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) on the launch of their brand new website!
We worked with the helpful team over at SCKEDD to make all kinds of great updates- to the content, design, and overall feel of the site. By implementing a design more expressive of Kansas, the great state SCKEDD works really hard to improve, we made the site welcoming and genuine. By re-organizing content, we made it easier for visitors to obtain information on loans and grants that will help develop their areas. Visitors can also easily download their applications, making the process virtually painless.
Good luck SCKEDD!
See the site here: www.sckedd.org