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 +44 (0)20 3855 4126 and we’ll look to source or signpost you to guidance to match your needs. 

Members only

The financially resilient design team: how and why to build it | DBA webinar

By Design Business Association
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, design leaders must be equipped to face new challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Financial resilience is critical to achieving this, but what does it mean in practice?
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Free to view

How to set your creative work apart? Commercial awareness is the key

By Sally Lukins, Strategy and Business Director, DBA
In the recently launched 2023 What Client’s Think report, it was clear that in a sea of seemingly endless data and a cultural context of rapid change, the most sought after skill clients are looking for in the agencies they work with is creativity aligned with commercial awareness.

Design effectiveness, Financial

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Members only

Expert advice on continuity, succession planning and selling a design business

By Adam Fennelow, with Jack O'Hern, David Blois and Chris Lang
When it comes to planning for an exit from your design agency there are a myriad of options. It is never too early to put in place the best practice processes that will stand you in good stead regardless of whether you decide on a Management Buy-Out (MBO), forming an employee owned trust (EOT), or selling to, or merging with, a third party. Watch three video conversations with DBA Experts, Jack O'Hern, David Blois and Chris Lang on the ins and outs of succession planning to help you understand your options.

Business skills, Financial, Strategy development

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Members only

What Clients Think Report 2023 Official Launch | DBA Webinar

By Design Business Association
In this eye-opening hour webinar, Jonathan Kirk, author of the report and DBA Expert, will explore how the client world has changed, examining the challenges and pressures, and digging beyond the statistics to reveal what you need to know in order to win new work and strengthen your relationships.
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Members only

Five emerging trends in design | DBA Webinar

By Design Business Association
Deborah Dawton, Chief Executive at the DBA was joined Emily Cohen and Hunter Vargas, Business Consultants to Creative Firms sharing their views on the themes and trends they’re seeing in the businesses they are working with.
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Members only

Sustainable futures | DBA Webinar

By Design Business Association
Deborah Dawton, Chief Executive at the DBA was joined by Minnie Moll Chief Executive of the Design Council and Joanna Choukeir, Director of Design & Innovation at The RSA for a lively discussion on Sustainable futures.
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Members only

Restrictive Covenants: Downloadable employer’s guide

By Croner, providers of the DBA HR Helpline
Employers in the design industry can face the challenge of protecting their business interests when key senior employees depart, particularly concerning the potential risks associated with client poaching, staff recruitment, and the use of sensitive business information. This is where restrictive covenants come into play.

HR, Legal

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Members only

2022 DBA Annual Survey Report launch | DBA Member-only webinar

By Design Business Association
On 13 October, the 2022 DBA Annual Survey Report was launched, and Esther Carder, Partner at Moore Kingston Smith presented a detailed analysis of the benchmarking data and trends across key performance metrics affecting design agencies, and gave insight into how to apply these valuable findings to your business. Our flagship report analyses fees, salaries, utilisation, income, recovery rates, benefits and trends of DBA member agencies. Watch the full recording here.

Financial, HR, New business & client relations

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Free to view

Succession planning options

By Design Business Association
At a recent Member's Forum we explored succession planning. DBA Expert Jack O'Hern discussed succession planning options and provided...

Financial, HR, Strategy development

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Members only

Succession planning: a guide

By Jack O'Hern, Partner, Wright Vigar
DBA Expert Jack O'Hern presents his definitive plan for ensuring your business thrives through leadership change. 

Business skills, Financial, HR

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