On the new Ask Us Anything podcast, editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen taps former Trade Tales guests to answer real, confidential designer questions, offering a safe space to discuss business frustrations, conundrums and fears. (Have a question of your own to ask? Send an email to start the conversation.)
Growing a firm is no easy feat. This week, San Francisco–based designer Regan Baker joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer whose five-person firm is going through some growing pains. She has already taken the first step—bringing on a senior-level hire—but with an influx of new project inquiries, she wants to meet the moment. Now she’s wondering how she can get some of the junior employees on her team ready to take on more responsibility. And she’s curious about how to get her clients on board with the changes she has in mind.
Baker jumps in with advice on how to communicate a senior designer’s role to clients, track employee progress without micromanaging, and delegate duties based on employee strengths.
Crucial insight: In order to set clear expectations, Baker has adjusted her intake process to ensure that the firm’s working style is clear from her first conversations with clients. “I used to say in the interview, ‘I will be on every project,’ and I don’t say that anymore,” she explains. “I say, ‘I will be helping to set the vision and the tone, and I will be coming to some of your meetings, but you will be working [primarily] with this [staff member].’” Now she finds that clients often request to interview the senior designer who will be assigned to their project, establishing an additional foundation of trust between both parties before the work even begins.
Key quote: “The hardest part is letting people fail. That’s the biggest way and the quickest way to learn, though. The more friction you have, the more you’re growing. If you want to move forward and move faster, and you want people to learn quickly, and you want to be able to let go and do other things that inspire you as the leader, you have to let go.”
A feature in print may be more elusive than ever, but on March 26, former magazine editor and founder of The PR Collaborative Alexandria Abramian will share specifics about digital content opportunities, different types of pitches for online publication, partnering with brands to promote your work, and so much more. Click here to learn more and remember, workshops are free for BOH Insiders.
This episode was sponsored by Four Hands and Crypton. If you like what you hear, subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
