Category: Arts and Culture

Lean Diversification for Businesses in Response to COVID-19

Lean Diversification is a method for developing new income streams during the COVID-19 crisis. The Lean Diversification approach is rapid and low risk, both of which are essential in a crisis. The idea of Lean Diversification is inspired by the ‘Lean Startup’ methodology that has been so successful for many new businesses in the digital …

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COVID-19 Diversification Strategies – How to Diversify in a Crisis

During the pandemic, many businesses are developing COVID-19 Diversification strategies. These can be simply emergency tactics for the short term, or more fundamental strategic changes for the medium term. Some businesses will later return to ‘normal’ (or the ‘new normal’) whilst others will be completely transformed, emerging with a new business model (or Business Formula). …

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Young Africa Botswana ‘Futuremakers’ presentation

David gave a business development presentation at Young Africa Botswana to the ‘Futuremakers’ group of young creative entrepreneurs. His presentation about creative business development was followed by a discussion about business techniques and models. This became an interactive workshop event and David also answered questions from the young creative entrepreneurs. The discussion included marketing, the …

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Creative Hubs Development Project

David advised on creative hubs development at E3 Youth Development Hub in Nelspruit/Mbombela in South Africa. He worked with founders Catherine Churchill and Iris Felix at E3 and also facilitated a workshop on the creative industries worldwide, to inform and inspire stakeholders and the wider community. This added to the local discussion about creative hubs …

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This invisible hand controls cultural exports

What’s the connection between the Batman logo and a t-shirt design using clever wordplay in Arabic? These cultural exports are both subject to copyright and can only be reproduced with permission. Hollywood’s creations are recognised worldwide, to the extent that we talk about ‘cultural imperialism’ and the dominant position of western culture in an increasingly …

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European Creative Hubs Network in Athens

David participated in the European Creative Hubs Network (ECHN) events in Athens in April 2019. As an international creative industries specialist, David often works with creative hubs to help them and their creative enterprises to become even more successful. Because of his work with creative hubs in Europe and beyond, David was invited to participate …

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Creative Business Development Workshop in Kazakhstan

David designed and delivered a creative business development workshop for the Art2B Entrepreneurs in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The entrepreneurs who participated in the creative business development workshop are growing their businesses strategically, with the help of the Art2B project at Impact Hub in Almaty. David was invited to Kazakhstan to help these and other creative entrepreneurs …

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Entrepreneurship for Creatives workshop in Slovenia

David delivered an interactive training workshop in Maribor, Slovenia about Entrepreneurship for Creatives. The training event was entitled “Entrepreneurship for Creatives, Artists and Cultural Managers” and was hosted at the Maribor premises of the Center for Creativity in Slovenia. In his interactive workshop, David provided an opportunity for participants to explore how they can combine …

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How to Calculate Prices in the Creative Industries

Creative entrepreneurs often need help to calculate prices for their products and services. This is especially the case for early stage businesses and for self-employed sole traders. In arts, crafts, photography, graphic design, illustration and many other creative endeavours, pricing is a crucial matter. Here’s an example I use in one of my creative business …

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The Overheads of your Creative Business

Understanding the full overheads of your business is essential for any creative entrepreneur. This article is written particularly with sole traders and self-employed individuals in mind, though its advice applies to any size of business, in any sector. It is especially relevant to designer-makers, artists, photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, writers, musicians and other artistic individuals. …

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