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DBA Webinars: Providing you with expert advice to support your business

During DBA webinars, design-sector specific insight and advice is delivered to help members tackle the business challenges they are currently facing. We’ve been joined by an eclectic mix of industry experts including Minnie Moll, Lady Frances and Sir John Sorrell, Morag Myerscough, David C. Baker, Blair Enns, Moore Kingston Smith, Jonathan Kirk, Eric Quint, John Gleason and PepsiCo’s Mauro Porcini, amongst others. DBA members can browse and access recordings of previous DBA webinars below. 

You can also sign up here to receive news of future webinars and browse our events calendar for scheduled webinars. 

The value of design: what’s next?

Have we reached a turning point for design? Catch up on this webinar with Deborah Dawton, Chief Executive at the DBA and Kevin McCullagh, Founder of Plan, as they discuss how we can ensure design maintains its valued and hard-won position as a driving force for change and unpick the inherent skills of designers to find brand new opportunity in challenge. Watch the full recording. 
 

2024 DBA Annual Survey Report Launch (recorded on 31.10.2024)

On Thursday 31 October we launched the 2024 DBA Annual Survey Report. From salaries to fees, charge out rates and everything in between, we delved into the data, dissected and contextualised the trends that matter to you and your business, and offered practical and actionable ways to help you apply these valuable findings to your business. Watch the full recording. 
 

Why ‘good enough’ is good enough: The decision making sweet spot with David C. Baker (recorded 01.10.24)

Are you thinking of the long term and missing what’s happening next week, next quarter, next year? Are there just too many decisions to make? David C. Baker helps us find that decision making sweet spot.  Watch the full recording here.
 
 

 

DBA Annual General Meeting 2024  (recorded 27.06.24)

The DBA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the annual online gathering of the DBA Board of Directors with the membership. Watch the full recording here.
 
 

 

The human side of innovation, a fireside chat with Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer at PepsiCo (recorded 23.05.24)

How do you create an environment where innovation can thrive? Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer at PepsiCo in conversation with Deborah Dawton, Chief Executive at the DBA, explores how you can nurture a space where design can have the greatest impact. Watch the full recording here.
 
 

 

What Clients Think Report 2024 Official Launch Webinar (recorded 28.03.24)

Design businesses and teams are operating in an ever-changing landscape and that undoubtably has an impact on how people work together. As we look ahead to the future, what do we need to know about the evolving nature of client/agency relationships and the way in which design teams, clients and stakeholders collaborate? In this eye-opening hour long webinar, Jonathan Kirk, author of the report and DBA Expert, will explore the latest findings. Watch the full recording here.

 

Failsafe methods for new business success (recorded 29.02.24)

Keep new business flowing into your agency and you’re on the path to success; you’ll stimulate and engage your creative team and pay the bills. But sometimes results can falter, the best made plans can fail, and you need to inject some new energy into your activity. Three new business experts in conversation with Deborah Dawton, Chief Executive, explore and unpack three critical areas of new business. Watch the full recording here.

 

Four pillars of business success in 2024 (recorded 18.01.24)

As a leader in design, you often know what should be done to get your business and team working at its best, but taking action can be another thing. The role you play and the decisions you make shape your business and team and impact its future success. So start 2024 with your best foot forward. In conversation with Deborah Dawton, Chief Executive at the DBA, we’ll get you thinking through what you already know, ensuring your business and team evolves and thrives in 2024. Watch the full recording here.

 

2023 DBA Annual Survey Report Launch (recorded 27.10.23)

On Thursday 26 October we launched the 2023 DBA Annual Survey Report via an exclusive DBA member-only webinar. From sector confidence to charge out rates and industry pay rise levels, Esther Carder, Partner at Moore Kingston Smith, will delve into the data, dissect the trends, and offer actionable insights to help you to prepare for what lies ahead. Watch the full recording here.

 

Inspiring the next generation with Frances & John Sorrell (recorded 28.09.23)

It’s our responsibility to inspire and cultivate the next generation of creative minds – as the leaders of today, are you playing your part? We’re joined by Lady Frances and Sir John Sorrell. Pioneers in inspiring creativity in young people by setting up The Sorrell Foundation in 1999, Frances and John discuss how we can empower young talent and nurture their creative potential. Watch the full recording here.

 

2023 DBA Design Effectiveness Awards  (recorded 29.06.23)

Take a closer look at the wide ranging impact of design on businesses and communities around the world, as we explore the achievements of the 2023 DBA Design Effectiveness Award winners. Watch the online ceremony here.

 

The financially resilient design team: how and why to build it (recorded 25.05.23)

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? Watch the full recording here.

 

What Clients Think Report 2023 Official Launch Webinar (recorded 30.03.23)

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. Watch the full recording here.

 

Five emerging trends in design (recorded 02.03.23)

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. Watch the full recording here.

 

Sustainable futures (recorded 07.02.23)

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. Watch the full recording here.

 

DBA 2022 Annual Survey Report Launch Webinar (recorded 13.10.22)

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.

 

Effective design for tomorrow (recorded 22.09.22)

Join Clive Grinyer in conversation with Nikita Yan, Anna Brightman, Samantha Dumont and Alex Peacop to see how design responds to a challenge and how design is solving the global issues we are facing in 2022? Watch the full recording here.

 

DBA Design Effectiveness Awards 2022 (recorded 30.06.22)

Take a closer look at the fantastic and wide ranging impact design can have as evidenced by our 2022 DBA Design Effectiveness Award winners. Watch the online ceremony here. Watch the full recording here.

 

Design Leadership Ignited: a way to strategic impact (recorded 19.05.22)

We were joined by former Chief Brand and Design Officer at 3M, Eric Quint. He explores the findings from his latest book, Design Leadership Ignited, in conversation with Deborah Dawton, Chief Executive at the DBA, Eric shares his unique perspective on how designers can lead the way to getting design integrated at a strategic level in business. Watch the full recording here.

 

What Clients Think Report Launch (recorded 24.03.22)

In this eye-opening hour, 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. Watch the full recording here.

 

Designing today for tomorrow (recorded 24.02.22)

Catch up on this rallying hour with Tom Lloyd as we explore how design can lead the way in solving the problems the world is facing from climate to culture. Watch the full recording here.

Inclusive design – where are we now? (recorded 27.01.22)

 

Hear the ever-inspiring Jeremy Myerson, co-founder of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, discuss the shifting dynamics of inclusive design and take a fresh look at how we can use design to make a positive change to the world. Watch a recording of the webinar. 

 

 

2021 DBA Annual Survey Report launch (recorded 13.10)

 

As we emerge from the pandemic we see a design sector that has trimmed down a little in terms of income and headcount – but is perhaps better placed now to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead, than ever before. As agencies bounce back how will you plan for different eventualities? At the 2021 DBA Annual Survey Report launch, 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. Watch the full recording here.

faris-mohammed-d30sszrw7vw-unsplashEffective design in business (recorded 02.09.21)

 

How do transformative design projects begin? What is the reality of making a case for investment in design and how can design teams support those they are seeking to influence in making that decision? With Olivia Salisbury, Group VP of Digital at T. Rowe Price, and Cheryl Calverley, CEO of eve sleep. Chaired by DBA Chief Executive Deborah Dawton, watch the full recording here.

admin-ajaxDesign effectiveness uncovered (recorded 15.07.21)

The wide ranging impact design can have in business, society and on people’s lives is evidenced by the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards winners year after year. If you’re looking for inspiration, a deeper understanding of what design can deliver and some practical advice, watch this hour-long webinar for a closer look at some recent winners. Chaired by Clive Grinyer, watch the full recording here.

DBA Design Effectiveness Awards 2022 (recorded 15.06.21)

Take a closer look at the fantastic and wide ranging impact design can have as evidenced by our 2021 DBA Design Effectiveness Award winners. Watch the online ceremony here. Watch the full recording here.

 

training-workshops-2-35Own the comeback: take control of your business’ future (recorded 27.05.21)

It’s been a long a time coming, but the economy is finally waking up. In March, the UK Treasury forecast growth in 2021 at 4.8% – just one month later this had increased to 5.7%. Positivity is back and it’s time to act. During this DBA member exclusive webinar, our panel looked at the characteristics of businesses that did well during the pandemic and what we can learn from them.  Watch the full recording here.

44How can design businesses respond to the climate crisis? (recorded 13.05.21)

 

What does it mean to declare a climate emergency as a designer? What does it take for a design business to become a B Corp? And how can you create a sustainable business that meets the needs of your clients whilst rising to the challenges of the climate crisis? During this hour-long webinar we explored how you can develop sustainable practices in your own business, and how you can use that expertise to influence the way your clients behave. Watch the full recording here.

kelly-sikkema-uubltzemj1e-unsplashHow it’s going now: insights and opportunities for brands and agencies in 2021 (recorded 29.04.21)

 

With economies across the world re-opening and strong trade being reported in the UK since lockdown lifting began, there’s lots to feel optimistic about as we move forward, a year after our working environments changed so dramatically with the onset of the pandemic. During this hour-long webinar with John Gleason, we reviewed current and prior outlooks and reflected on how the past year has evolved. Watch the full recording here.

2021-wct-report-coverWhat Clients Think 2021 report launch (recorded 04.03.21)

 

Based on 580 client interviews conducted on behalf of design agencies, this highly respected and influential annual report is now in its 7th year and is a fascinating snapshot of the client/agency relationship. However, this has been a year like no other. In this webinar exclusively for DBA members, DBA Expert, Up to the Light founder and author of the report Jonathan Kirk, took us through the main findings of the brand new ‘What Clients Think’ report and answered your questions live. Watch the full recording here.

jens-lelie-u0vgcioqg08-unsplashMaking the right financial decisions in 2021 (recorded 18.02.21)

 

When we are faced with tough business decisions and multiple, sometimes unclear options, thinking with our heart before our head is a tempting path to follow. In this 90-minute webinar, Moore Kingston Smith covered staffing, finance, debt and cashflow management and Brexit. Ensure you have all the answers and watch the full recording here.

shifaaz-shamoon-slak1gubg90-unsplashOn your marks, reset, go! (recorded 04.02.21)

There has never been a greater need for design business to take a long hard look in the mirror and ‘re-set’ their businesses for future growth and success. Watch this DBA member exclusive hour-long discussion with Ralph Ardill, during which he drew upon his 25 years of top-level client consulting and agency leadership experience to share some timely and thought-provoking pointers on the perils and possibilities for how agencies can best ride the ‘re-set’ wave – rather than be overwhelmed by it. Watch the full recording here.

screenshot-2021-01-11-at-12-28-36New Year, New Business – a panel discussion and Q&A with DBA Experts (recorded 21.01.21)

 

To kick off the new year, we brought together three new business gurus for a one hour session to ensure your new business strategies in 2021 put you on the front foot to compete and thrive.  In a lively panel discussion and Q&A, Lucy Mann, Jonathan Kirk and Tim Duncan discussed the thinking, techniques and execution required to succeed, covering everything from how you identify and define what your offer is now, to what you should be saying to the outside world and the best practice needed to cut through the noise and win new clients. Watch the full recording here.

morag-croppedIn conversation with Morag Myerscough (recorded 17.12.20)

 

For our final webinar of 2020, we were joined in conversation by Morag. We explored her work and its energy, and opened up the floor to you and your questions as we talked about her experiences of the past year, her views on the opportunities for creativity to build identity and belonging and the values that matter most as we develop ideas and make things together. Watch the full recording here.

brexit-puzzles-dr2Brexit and the design industry with Moore Kingston Smith LLP (recorded 03.12.20)

 

With the EU-UK post-Brexit trade negotiations progressing, the clock is ticking down to the 31 December deadline – is your business ready? During this DBA member exclusive webinar, Moore Kingston Smith LLP’s Brexit Impact specialist, Paul Samrah and Tax Director, Geraint Lewis, discussed what the changes will mean for your business. Watch the full recording here.

john-mid-res-jpegIn conversation with Sir John Sorrell (recorded 19.11.20)

 

Sir John, himself a former successful design business owner, has long spearheaded the reputation of UK design. During this webinar, he shares his thoughts with DBA Chief Executive, Deborah Dawton, and takes questions live from the audience. Watch the full recording here.

screenshot-2020-10-29-at-12-34-32Leading creativity: a fireside chat with Eric Quint (recorded 05.11.20)

 

As former Chief Brand and Design Officer at 3M and Head of Design Management and Consulting at Royal Philips, Eric Quint has a uniquely experienced view of the world of leading design. During this webinar, he shares unmissable insights into effective design leadership and answers your questions. Listen to the full recording here.

beasty-7augmbxhvnu-unsplashAdapting, learning and leading change: design in 2020 (recorded 22.10.20)

 

DBA Chief Executive, Deborah Dawton, chairs this explorative Q&A webinar, joined by a range of industry leaders from a range of backgrounds who shared their experiences of this unexpected and eventful year. Watch the recording here.

 

 

stellrweb-djb1whucfby-unsplashOff payroll working with Moore Kingston Smith LLP (recorded 15.10.20)

 

Changes to off-payroll working rules (commonly known as IR35) come into effect in April 2021, is your business ready? Moore Kingston Smith’s Tax Partner, Tim Stovold explain the changes and what they mean for your design business. Watch the recording here.

graphic-slideDBA Annual Survey Report launch 2020 (recorded 08.10.20)

 

At the launch of the 2020 DBA Annual Survey Report, 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. Watch the webinar recording.

maarten-van-den-heuvel-gzxx8lkab7y-unsplashPersonal resilience: meeting the demands of reality, panel discussion (recorded 24.09.20)

 

Aliya Vigor-Robertson chairs a panel of industry leaders from Pearlfisher, Roundhouse and Thinking Practice in an exploration of the factors that impact our ability to make the tough decisions and actions we need to survive and thrive. Watch the webinar recording.

 

micheile-henderson-sot4-mzhyhe-unsplash-1Creating financial resilience now: a live Q&A with Moore Kingston Smith LLP (recorded 10.09.20)

 

Esther Carder and her team at Moore Kingston Smith LLP take us through the key things you can do right now to ensure you survive and thrive through the next 18 months in a live audience Q&A. Watch the webinar recording.

Charles Deluvio unsplash

The art of closing: from nurturing the leads to making the sale (recorded 13.08.20)

Tune in to our panel of DBA Experts Dan Sudron, Catherine Allison and Adam Graham tackling some of your toughest challenges when closing the deal and winning business. Watch the webinar recording.

pang3-credit-leila-sultanzadeh

The 4 day week in a pandemic world: resilience, work-life balance, and the future of work (recorded 24.07.2020)

 

Forget the old concept of 9 to 5, hear how redesigning the working week could revolutionise the way your company gets things done, from  Silicon Valley-based futurist and consultant Alex Soojung-Kim Pang. Watch a webinar recording.

 

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Design thinking will kill us all: Or why we need a new philosophy of design if we want to save civilization (recorded 17.07.20)

 

In our rush to innovate, what are we unleashing? In a provocative and stimulating hour, designer and historian Craig Walmsley challenged our thinking on ‘design thinking’, and shared his perspectives on its flaws, what a new philosophy of design might look like and why it’s needed. Watch a recording of the webinar.

Service

Designing the service back into our services (recorded 10.07.20)

 

How has the human impact of Covid-19 changed the face of consumption and service as we know it? Find out in this insight-packed webinar recording with Joel Bailey, Director, Experience Led Transformation at EY Seren. Watch a recording of the webinar.

alice-dietrich-fwf_fkj5tbo-unsplash Fear of moving on: how creative bravery is the answer to the worst kind of FOMO (recorded 03.07.2020)

 

The thing that stops us from being brave is fear. Fear of upsetting the client, the customer, the consumer, our bosses. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of our own potential – but now is the time to turn our fear into fuel.

 

Mark Shayler, owner of sustainable innovation consultancy Ape, took to the stage to inspire and remind us of the power of purpose-driven creativity. Watch a recording of the webinar

drmakete-lab-hsg538wrp0y-unsplash-1Limiting or liberating? The impact of COVID-19 on your team and their performance (recorded 26.06.20)

 

How do you enable conditions for success, even when working apart? Electrolux’s Chief Design Officer, Pernilla Johansson, imparts lessons learnt in tackling the implications of Covid-19 on her team and their performance. Watch a recording of the webinar.

john-gleason-webinar-iconInsights and perspective for brands and agencies – part 2: maintaining momentum and thriving forward (recorded 19.06.20)

 

John Gleason, Founder of A Better View Strategic Consulting, joins us again to build on his original talk around business and relationship management, retaining value and regaining momentum through COVID-19. Watch a recording of the webinar.

kevin-mcHow to use design and innovation to shape the future (recorded 12.06.20)

 

In this insightful one-hour webinar, Kevin McCullagh shares his expert predictions and insight, equipping you with an innovation planning framework to help your clients’ – and our own – business thrive. Watch a recording of the webinar.

3How has design leadership changed in the last two months? An hour of inspiration with PepsiCo’s CDO Mauro Porcini (recorded 29.05.20)

 

In this lively webinar, Mauro explores how the world has changed for us all, and what we as designers can do to respond to these changes. Watch a recording of the webinar

screenshot-2020-05-18-at-14-45-14Where now? Five pointers for strategic reflection with Michael Thomson (recorded 22.05.20)

 

Industry expert Michael Thomson outlines five pointers to achieving conscious strategic change in this webinar, to help you take control of where your business is headed. Watch a recording of the webinar. 

David and Blair

2bobs in your business: David C. Baker and Blair Enns tackle your challenges (recorded 15.05.20) 

 

David and Blair return to the DBA Webinar series, this time together. Collectively they are know as 2bobs after their popular podcast series for creative entrepreneurs. In this webinar they tackle scenarios and questions submitted in advance by DBA members. Watch a recording of the webinar.

ales-nesetril-im7lzjxelhg-unsplash

How to make an impact in online meetings (recorded 14.05.20)

 

In an interactive 1-hour session, DBA Expert Catherine Allison will help you develop the tools, skills, and confidence to engage your audience in online meetings and move people to action. Watch a webinar recording here.

blackboard-thought-bubble

How to leverage your assets for commercial success (recorded 07.05.20)

 

Treating your intellectual assets as you would your store-cupboard and drawing on them inventively will help you add new revenue streams through what you already know, own, or have. Erica Wolfe-Murray, author and DBA Expert, shows us how. Watch a webinar recording here.

screenshot-2020-04-27-at-16-04-42

Navigating a new world: a live panel discussion and Q&A with the DBA (recorded 01.05.20)

 

DBA Chief Executive Deborah Dawton leads a discussion through leadership, confidence, new business, and new ways of working with a panel of DBA Experts. Watch a recording of the webinar

aryan-dhiman-iglltlinskw-unsplash

Winning new business via email (recorded 29.04.20)

 

Kimi Gilbert, Director of Training & Development at The Future Factory helps DBA member agencies maintain momentum and build a more predictable new business pipeline through email. Watch a webinar recording here.

screenshot-2020-04-27-at-10-40-22Insights and perspectives for agencies on regaining momentum and moving forward: a live Q&A with John Gleason (recorded 24.04.20)

 

John Gleason, former head of design procurement at P&G, gives his perspective on how agencies can manage through this crisis. Watch a recording of the webinar

jon-tyson-hhq1lxtuwd8-unsplashWhat do your clients need? (recorded 23.04.20)

 

As both clients and agencies explore this new world together, it’s vital for design businesses to hone their approach and know what the do’s and don’ts are when communicating with clients. Jonathan Kirk, Founder of Up to the Light, explains what your clients need. Watch a recording of the webinar.

stellrweb-djb1whucfby-unsplashMaking the right financial decisions: a live Q&A with Moore Kingston Smith LLP (recorded 17.04.20)

 

Esther Carder and the team from Moore Kingston Smith give the latest updates on all things related to Government Policy, loans and financing, furloughing, insurance and insolvencies. Watch a recording of the webinar

icons8-team-dhztnlvne8m-unsplashManage your time effectively when working from home (recorded 16.04.20)

 

Jenny McConnell, executive coach and industry expert, explores how to stay productive while taking care of yourself and your loved ones. Watch a recording of the webinar.

screenshot-2020-04-06-at-15-40-44Building your pipeline when there is no visibility of what the future holds: Q&A with Blair Enns (recorded 09.04.20)

 

Blair Enns, author of ‘Win Without Pitching’ and ‘Pricing Creativity: a guide to profit beyond the billable hour’ gives his advice on how agencies should view their new business efforts over the coming months. Watch a recording of the webinar

gabriel-beaudry-ntx2tjkrzlc-unsplash-1024x686Presenting remotely with Shan Preddy (recorded 07.04.20)

 

Do you and your team always feel 100% confident when delivering remote presentations to colleagues, clients and prospects? Shan Preddy, Partner at Preddy&Co and DBA Expert takes you through presenting remotely for results. Watch a recording of the webinar.

maximilian-weisbecker-esq0ovry-zs-unsplashHR and staff wellbeing: live Q&A with JourneyHR (recorded 03.04.20)

 

We teamed up with JourneyHR for this webinar to explore various areas of furlough eligibility, along with a range of HR challenges design businesses are facing. Watch a recording of the webinar

jon-tyson-hhq1lxtuwd8-unsplashYour agency’s finances, workforce and supply chains: with Moore Kingston Smith

 

Bringing clarity to the options around government support and funding to help design businesses stay one step ahead at these uncertain times, Esther Carder of Moore Kingston Smith answered a range of questions around finances, workforces and supply chains in these two informative webinars. 

 

Part One (recorded 27.03.20) and part Two (recorded 02.04.20)  Watch a recording of the webinars here

matthew-waring_unsplashThe coronavirus and your agency, with David C. Baker (recorded 20.03.20)

 

As the coronavirus pandemic took hold in March, author, speaker and creative advisor David C. Baker presented a Q&A webinar, helping all and anyone involved in running a design business understand the key business decisions they needed to consider as a leader. Watch a recording of the webinar

Not yet a DBA member?

chris-barbalis-dhvtr5fwbhi-unsplashGain access to vital resources like these webinars to support your design business through all seasons of change, challenges and growth.

 

Find out more information on the benefits of membership or get in touch with any questions.

 

E: enquiries@dba.org.uk 
T: 0207 251 9229

Image credits: 

Austin Distel | Unsplash