Employing reflection as a strategic resource

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In an age that demands decisiveness, in many organisations there is little time to reflect. And yet reflection enhances our ability to enter into creative and innovative processes in fresh and sometimes unorthodox ways. Steinar Valade-Amland explores how organisations can successfully employ reflection as a strategic resource.

How to give great feedback

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You're not alone if giving honest feedback makes you uncomfortable. But delivering it right - to be helpful and motivating to your team - is a skill that can be learnt. Here's how to give great and effective feedback.

Screen-to-screen conversations: Are you ready for your close up?

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With screen-to-screen conversations and virtual meetings becoming more integral to our working lives, how can we make sure they're not just ok, but really good?

Not just in it to win it

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When it comes to new business, laying the foundations for a partnership relationship with clients hinges on getting the approach right from the outset and requires a focus on longevity, over short term goals. 

Buying or selling a business? It pays to agree key terms upfront

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Adrenalin may be running high if you are on the verge of buying a business or selling the company you have built from scratch. You may have already sought professional advice regarding the company valuation but there are other critical issues on which advice will also be needed during those early heady days of negotiations. The DBA's legal partner, Humphries Kirk explains.

Do not be caught out by implied terms in a commercial contract

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When entering any sort of contractual relationship, it is essential to understand that, as well as those express provisions agreed orally or set out in writing, you will also be bound by a series of terms which will be automatically implied.

Starting a social enterprise as a Community Interest Company

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When most people think of starting a social enterprise they focus on the community benefit and often assume that it will need to be established as a charity. An alternative company structure, which is proving popular with many social entrepreneurs, is the Community Interest Company (CIC). Humphries Kirk explain the advantages and disadvantages of operating as a CIC and relevant compliance requirements.

Ripping-up the rulebook: Recognising freelance costs in a different way

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As more designers are looking at the freelance route for a perceived better, more independent lifestyle with more money, agencies need to recognise freelance costs in a different way. It’s time to rip-up the rulebook relating to Gross Income and its use as the main denominator.

How to communicate your business ethos to differentiate yourselves from competitors

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Design companies are uniquely placed to react positively to this kind of shifting landscape, and have led the way in demonstrating a more thoughtful and alternative way of running their businesses, instilling their brand ethos with things like a renewed focus on people, wellbeing, the environment, education, humanitarian efforts, or community-based initiatives.

Working mothers: Giving support to working women

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Returning to work after having a baby can be a big adjustment for women. However, the disappointing stats around pay, promotions and confidence levels suggest there’s a long way to go in supporting women through this monumental phase in their lives, and has a direct impact on the diversity of businesses and the industry as a whole.