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.

Main Content

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. 

Free to view

Knowing your business: Building a positive culture through staff feedback


Understanding how engaged staff are ensures your business remains effective, but engagement surveys can often be lower down the list of priorities for a business. Even if productivity is at an all-time high and you have the greatest culture you could wish for, you can still gain a lot by collecting key insights from your staff. Journey HR's Aliya Vigor-Robertson explains.
Members only

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


Login >>
Members only

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


Login >>
Free to view

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


Read more >>
Free to view

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


Read more >>
Members only

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


Login >>
Members only

Fees, Utilisation and Recovery Rates: Getting the mix right in your business


The way hourly charge out rates, utilisation and recovery rates work together is key to the profitability of your business. The DBA's Adam Fennelow shares advice on how to balance them correctly.

Business skills, Financial


Login >>
Free to view

Are you the kid or the adult in the cereal aisle?


In running your design business you can't afford to make short-term decisions that have bad long-term implications. Consistently asking these five questions will keep you focused on the bigger picture, says David C. Baker.

Business skills, New business & client relations


Read more >>
Members only

Writing a Health & Safety Policy


It is a legal requirement for companies with five or more employees to have a written Health & Safety Policy. Even if your business has less than 5 employees you may still want to consider writing a policy. A health and safety policy sets out your general approach, objectives and the arrangements you have put in place for managing health and safety in your business. It is a unique document that says who does what, when and how.

Business skills, HR


Login >>
Members only

Helplines – Legal, HR and employment, and R&D tax credits


DBA members have access to extensive support from a range of DBA helplines and partner businesses covering Legal advice, HR and employment advice, Insurance cover (from office contents to Professional Indemnity) and R&D tax credits.

Financial, HR, Legal


Login >>
Cookies

We use cookies to help improve our website. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies.