Business ideas crop up in unusual places. Here’s one I had on Mount Errigal. I’d coached creative businesses in Ireland during the week. On Sunday I had some free time. So I drove through the beautiful countryside, to climb the highest peak in County Donegal. The day was sunny and warm. The cooling breeze became …
Category: General
DON’T do the thing you’re BEST at…
Don’t do the thing you’re best at. In business, it can be a bad idea. As a creative entrepreneur, you’re great at some things. Less good at other things. That’s OK. That’s normal. So it makes sense to focus your business on the things you’re best at. Right? Wait a minute! Not so fast… You’re …
Does Size Matter?
Does size matter? Is bigger better? Is small bad? Of course I’m talking about the size of your creative business. (What did you think I meant?) You can look at size in different ways. The size of WHAT exactly? The number of employees? Clients? Offices? Awards? Do you focus on the size of your sales? …
Losing Customers is a GOOD Thing
Crazy thought of the day: losing customers is a GOOD thing. Pricing is a big issue. I’ve advised countless creative businesses about it over the years. You want to raise prices to make more money. But then your customers might go to cheaper competitors. That’s the fear. And it might be true. If you can’t …
People tell me I’m lucky. But I’m not.
People tell me I’m lucky. But I’m not. And I’ll explain why. They say I’m lucky because I can choose the clients I work with. I’m lucky because I have the freedom to take time off work. I’m lucky because I’ve got a wonderful work/life balance. But it wasn’t always that way. In my first …
Milan Design Week – online presentation on Innovative Diversification
David gave a presentation at Fuorisalone, the digital version of Milan Design Week 2020, in partnership with the WORTH Partnership Project. The topic was “The Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for Innovative Diversification” and participants also have the opportunity to take part in Open Forum online business advice sessions with David following his online presentation. In …
Better Online Pitching – presentation for APFI Finland
David delivered an online presentation on Better Online Pitching for Creatives International as part of a Pre Mission Briefing for a Virtual Trade Mission to Germany for APFI (Audiovisual Producers Finland). The online Pre Mission Briefing was hosted by Simon Preston and featured an in-depth presentation from Nicola Pinder about the German market for audiovisual …
Discounts and Free Access to Online Toolkits for Creative Businesses
See below for discounts and free access to online toolkits for creative businesses, plus special offers on books and other products. David says: “I work internationally to empower creative entrepreneurs to become even more successful by combining their creative talents with smart business strategies. This is my mission, my passion and my profession. I also …
COVID-19: It’s time to ‘follow the love’!
“Follow the love” is a useful tactic for managers in the arts and cultural industries during the COVID-19 crisis. What do I mean? Our relationships with audiences, customers and communities (as well as funders and sponsors) is at the heart of any arts business. We have built relationships with each of these, sometimes over several …
Creativity loves a Crisis! Two kinds of creativity to use during the COVID-19 crisis
During the COVID-19 crisis, managers in the arts and cultural industries need to use all their creative skills to survive and thrive. But how do we apply “creativity” to the business side of arts and cultural management? There are two kinds of creativity that can be used to survive, find new opportunities, and diversify during …