Members’ Area

From receiving expert help and guidance to benchmarking your business’ performance, the Members’ Area is a gateway to resources, services and support specifically developed for those working in the field of design.

Some sections are exclusively accessible to DBA members, connecting you to the extensive range of benefits your membership provides.

DBA membership extends to everyone working within your business – all members of your team can register for their own password – ensuring the whole team benefits.

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Resources

Essential guidance, templates, insight and tools to support you on all aspects of the business of design. From contracts to client opinion, legal updates to exporting support, our resources give you instant access to expert advice and tools to help solve a wide range of business challenges.

If you can’t find the information you’re after please email membership@dba.org.uk or call 020 7251 9229 and we’ll look to source or signpost you to guidance to match your needs. 

Members only

Best or reasonable endeavours? What a difference a word makes


Once signed, a contract represents a formal record of the agreement made between you and your client. The obligations under that agreement are often absolute, with any failure to satisfy them being considered a breach of contract which could result in a dispute, and considerable expense.

Advice for clients, Financial, Legal, New business & client relations


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Boost staff motivation levels all year round


A business’ most prized asset is its workforce, but finding talented individuals is only half the equation; retaining your workforce is crucial.

Business skills, HR


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Are you getting the best out of your team?


Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes, and this certainly rings true for the workplace. We all bring different skills, talents and personalities to the table, and it’s important that companies not only identify but embrace these individual strengths.

Business skills, HR


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Creating an inclusive workplace


The DBA's HR and employment law partner, Croner shares advice on creating an inclusive workplace where diversity can flourish. DBA members benefit from a free HR helpline...

HR, Legal


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It’s not about design. It’s about the difference design makes.


Once you can articulate the difference you want to achieve, you can set the metrics that can measure how successful a project is. Understanding how success will be determined is the first step in proving design effectiveness.

Advice for clients, Business skills, New business & client relations, Strategy development


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Managing bank holidays and annual leave


In this handy guide, Croner – the DBA's HR and employment law partner – explain UK bank holiday entitlements for different contract types.

HR, Legal


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Are your freelancers actually freelancers? Keep on the right side of the law


As ways of working are changing, the rise in freelancer use means more agencies are coming up against HMRC’s new IR35 legislation covering the definition of a freelancer and how agencies should treat them. Here’s how to stay on the right side of the law.

Financial, HR, Legal


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Making your difference


What are the hidden stories behind your business? How can you use them to craft your strategy and create value for your agency?

Business skills, Financial, New business & client relations, Strategy development


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How to avoid a half-baked value proposition


A great proposition can be transformational, serving up tasty rewards for your business. But beware these common pitfalls says Co-definery's Robin Bonn.

New business & client relations, Strategy development


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Recovery Rates: Are you getting paid for all the work you do?


Are you working for free on a Friday? The average creative agency has a recovery rate of about 80% - that means they are not billing for 20% of the time they spend working on client work. What are the reasons for a low recovery rate and how can an agency address them to get the fees they deserve?

Financial


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