Find Out How to Cash Out

Before you hit the cruise ship or the golf course for good, put steps in place that will help you sell

BY THE end of their first year of operation, most design firm owners realize that running a business is dramatically different than working for someone else. Regardless of the size of the firm, there are myriad issues to contend with just to keep the lights on and the doors open. Between finding clients, looking after clients and managing staff, there isn’t a lot of time left to fret over the long list of other items that are critical to running a growing enterprise.

Let’s Get Personal

Here are the do’s and the don’ts of building solid, long-term relationships with your clients

GOOD BUSINESSES attract new clients. Great businesses keep them. It’s simple, really. Your best client is the one that keeps coming back to you again and again. These are the types of long-term relationships that carry design businesses through tough economic times. A successful design business knows the key to profitability is finding the right balance between attracting new clients, while taking good care of the ones it already has.

How to Look Smart

When it comes to wooing clients, dress to impress and learn to talk their talk

BUILDING and maintaining client relationships requires work. To look good in front of clients, creative professionals need to bone up on their business skills.