The Taxman Cometh

HST is here to stay and it affects all designers, regardless of where you live. So take note

I SUPPOSE it’s human nature. We put off dealing with issues until tomorrow that we deem to be unpleasant when we know we should take care of them today. Unfortunately, the future has a funny way of creeping up on you. Well, at least it has for designers in British Columbia and Ontario, whose provincial governments opted to introduce Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), effective July 1, 2010.

Are you Covered?

You never know if or when disaster will strike.
Put plans in place to protect you, just in case

RECENTLY, a designer friend of mine was injured in a serious accident. Fortunately, he’ll be okay. But the experience made him realize that, had the outcome been worse, his business was not prepared.

Flexing Freelance Muscles

Even in tough times, freelancers can leverage their flexibility and low overhead to succeed

NOBODY said graphic design was a recession-proof business. Clients often cut their marketing budgets in times of economic crisis as they try to reduce expenditures to help weather the storm. As those budgets get trimmed, so too does the revenue of the design community as a whole. As some larger shops and internal departments reduce their staff, freelancing becomes a reality for more and more designers. Here’s how freelancers can not only survive but also thrive in difficult economic conditions.

Watch the Language

When dealing with clients, look out for words that can come back to haunt you

THE LATE Rodney Dangerfield built a successful comedy career while “not getting any respect.” Unfortunately, not many designers work the nightclub circuit. They rely on the respect of their existing clients to help employ staff, pay suppliers and create value for partners and shareholders.

Language is often overlooked as a way to gain and build respect from your clients. I’m not talking about the technical language of design but rather the everyday comments that get thrown around in creative briefings or casual conversations that can (unintentionally) devalue your services.

Don’t Get Stiffed

Avoid threats, ransom notes and crowbars. There are easier ways to ensure you get paid

COMMON sense tells us business owners are in the business of making money. That’s why it’s amazing that so many designers take the collections side of the business lightly. That is, until they are faced with a client who refuses to pay some (or all) of an invoice. Then what?