Join Editor at Large for LAUNCH, a series of three two-hour intensive courses created specifically for interior designers. Learn from expert instructors about the most relevant business matters facing the design industry today, and take home essential insights and tools to further your own business
Register now at $125 per indivisual class
Or, purchase all three classes for $300
The Line Up
November 15
LAYING THE FOUNDATION: CLIENT MANAGEMENT & CHARGING STRATEGIES
Instructor: Sean Low, Founder of The Business of Being Creative
Who knew client management could have such an impact on your bottom line? How you manage your clients directly impacts the profitability of your projects. As the designer, it’s up to you to clearly translate your process to your clients so that you’re in the driver’s seat, not the other way around. During this session, business consultant Sean Low will outline best practices for managing clients’ expectations and provide the framework for a variety of charging models, so that you can determine what best suits your business. Because every designer has the same end-goals: to complete projects on time, keep clients happy and get paid what you deserve.
You will learn:
- How to be of service to your clients, not in service
- Client management processes to implement through all phases of the relationship: from the first meeting to project installation
- What to charge, when to charge and how to account for your time
- The pros and cons of various pricing structures
January 30
THE INS AND OUTS OF LICENSING
Instructor: Kate Verner, Founder of Kate Verner + Associates
Licensing guru Kate Verner has developed, marketed and launched countless product lines with top designers like David Easton, Laura Kirar and Rockwell Group. Now, she’s on hand to divulge her knowledge about building a design empire complete with private-label collections, licensing deals and brand extensions. She’ll also explain key differences between licensing and private-label collections, and outline the various responsibilities of the designer so that you can determine which path is right for you–whether you’re considering licensing opportunities now or five years from now.
You will learn:
- What licensing is, and where and how to seek out opportunities
- What a successful licensing deal includes and what a designer needs to know before signing an agreement
- The essential role Intellectual Property Law plays in licensing
- How to use licensing to raise your visibility and build a multi-faceted design brand
March 22
BUILDING YOUR DESIGN BUSINESS:
& GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR BRAND
Instructor: Meg Touborg and Dennis Scully of Metworks Inc.
The relationship between you, your design firm, your clients and most importantly your prospective clients is created by what are called ‘touch points”—any experience that is associated with your team, your work and your services. They range from how the office telephone is ans wered to a major design presentation. Any variation from your intentions puts your value and expertise at risk. Strategic consideration, conscious planning and steady execution across many touch points are necessary to distinguish your firm. Boston-native marketing strategist Meg Touborg will share how to bring consistency to your firm’s touch points by articulating your value and defining your culture.
You will learn:
- How to define your firm’s values and learn how to manifest them
- About case studies of design firms who are doing it welln
- How to build a unique map o f your firm’s major touch points
- How to create an action plan identifying areas for improvement
Cover Art: Image Courtesy of Schumacher, Abstract Leaf in Navy Wallpaper
