From where to invest your time and effort, to when to grow and how to adapt – decision making comes with the territory of running a design business. Instinct matters, but what separates bold moves from blind risks is clarity and confidence. And that comes from using data to drive your business decisions.

Being able to access comprehensive, accurate financial and operational design sector data and trends is something DBA members can rely on each year through the DBA In Focus Report. But how can you make the most of that data to inform your strategy, manage profitability, and keep a firm handle on the health of your business?  

Join this open access webinar on Wednesday 22 October, 4-5pm BST, chaired by DBA Chief Executive Deborah Dawton.

This is a webinar for all design businesses. Whether you’re considering diversification into different sectors or grappling with how to increase your fees this year, we’ll be exploring how to use data effectively to give you the perspective, clarity and confidence to make the decisions that will define your next chapter.  

We’ll hear from: 

• Deborah Longbottom, DBA accredited expert and business consultant to the creative industries sector on the blind spots that most often catch businesses out, drawn from 30+ years advising design consultancies of every size.  
• Chris Lumsden, Co-founder at Good Brand Consultants on the signals his business monitors most closely and how they guide strategic decisions.  
• Gilmar Wendt, Founder and CEO of GW+Co, will discuss repositioning his business and building the confidence to work with clients at a strategic level. 

DBA members will come away with a clearer, more confident view on managing operations using the DBA In Focus Report 2025, which will be launched the same day. And if you’re not yet a member, you’ll see firsthand what access to this kind of data can do for your business.

You won’t find the level of insight in the DBA In Focus Report anywhere else.

Each year, DBA members contribute detailed financial and operational data – from charge-out rates and utilisation to overseas income, confidence levels and more. The result is the most comprehensive and representative report on the state of UK design businesses. As the trade association for the design industry, the DBA brings together every discipline in design – from industrial to service, from branding to digital. No other organisation captures such a complete picture of the industry.

Register now.