The Business of Design D.Cast is a discussion about running a design business or design in a business.
We’re looking at a range of subjects but covering a single theme for each episode. We’re looking for insights, experience and anecdotes to share with the audience and we’ve prepared the questions below as thought/discussion starters."
However, It’s less an interview and more a discussion.
Building the Gang
This D.Cast is a discussion about Building the Gang. In most design businesses, wages are your largest overhead but without People you’re going to be working very hard to grow a studio. With the right people in the right roles you can take on the world. But they can also be your biggest liability with potential negative effects on your culture, reputation, productivity and profitability.
On this D.Cast we’ve got two very smart People & Culture practitioners and a Creative Director on how they find, induct and develop teams...
Concepts Explored:
- Recruitment
- Employment law
- Culture
- Developing people
- Making ‘changes’
- So you’re a CD now?
Questions
As a professional services business, people are your key asset. How have you gone about finding the right people? Firstly as an employee, but also as an employer? Any differences?
Freelance or Fulltime? Try before you buy or leap in?
Have you had any experiences you can share with NZ’s employment law?
Some famous business head said ‘Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast’, what are some of the key elements of a good culture, what mistakes have you made and what have you got right first time?
Over the years I’ve got better at developing people. What do you think drives designers and how can you harness that through development?
Induction is so important as it sets the tone of the real relationship, what are some important parts of this for your practice?
Kirsti. Most design businesses are relatively small and that makes the Employment Contracts Act a bit of a minefield. What are some ways to not end up in a mess or at the employment tribunal?
Pictured: Kristi Grant (left), Nick Riley (middle), Molly Workman (right).
Kirsti Grant, Aurora
Kirsty VP People Experience at Auror a retail crime intelligence platform that helps retailers and police report, solve and prevent crime.
Nick Riley PDINZ, Nick Riley Design
Nick is an independent Creative Director and Branding Specialist with over fifteen years of experience at some of Australasia’s leading brand agencies. With a proven track record of leading teams to produce commercially successful and award-winning work, he has led major branding projects for Air New Zealand, Auckland Transport, Coca Cola Amatil, New Zealand Tourism, Westpac, Methven, New Zealand Cricket and NO UGLY. Nick is currently partnering with ambitious organisations and brands that recognise the value of how carefully considered strategy and design can drive strong business growth.
Nicks's other work includes:
Molly Workman
Molly is passionate about the everyday experiences that people have at work, and how this integrates and impacts their lives. Molly's latest work includes:
A series brought to you by Gideon Keith FDINZ, Seven, DINZ board member (left) and Ryan Ward PDINZ, Archant, DINZ board member (right)
When the opportunity arises, DINZ interviews leading designers from here and overseas. These interviews seek to dig beneath the surface to address the common and uncommon challenges, problems and opportunities the design community faces.
DINZ Interview with - Logick Print, Marx Design & Thinking Packaging
DINZ Partner Interview - What Does Motor Racing & Printing Have in Common !
DINZ Partner Interview - a Concorde, a Bet & a Million Dollar Deal