Comments on: Business Choices: The Next Level http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/ BoDo Business of Design online Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:42:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.9 by: Catherine http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3792 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:39:55 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3792 Hi Lisa, Yes, I always kept a waiting list. And if they missed their agreed deadlines, they go to the end of the line. Neil, When I went looking for a contractor to renovate my condo, he said he couldn't take it on for several months because he was backed up. That was fine with me. I would have been suspicious of his company if they could jump right in. It pretty much means no clients, no jobs. Jeff, I've always loved your Monday to Thursday office hours. One day for office work and a real guaranteed weekend. Nice! Hi Lisa,

Yes, I always kept a waiting list. And if they missed their agreed deadlines, they go to the end of the line.

Neil,

When I went looking for a contractor to renovate my condo, he said he couldn’t take it on for several months because he was backed up. That was fine with me. I would have been suspicious of his company if they could jump right in. It pretty much means no clients, no jobs.

Jeff,

I’ve always loved your Monday to Thursday office hours. One day for office work and a real guaranteed weekend. Nice!

]]> by: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3787 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:39:38 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3787 My "work less; charge more" mantra may backfire a bit for some. The pricing raising strategy isn't as successful these days - it has actually resulted in MORE work in recent years. There is the perception that is something costs more it must be better. Like Lisa commented, scheduling projects in advance may be very helpful. I'm often getting projects on my calendar up to three months in advance - and I am finding it necessary to plan around 6+ weeks of vacation each year. Potential, and existing, clients are willing to wait at times. One of my most successful time/work strategies has been establishing "office hours" of Monday through Thursday. I have no client contact on Fridays or weekends at all. The office being closed on Fridays doesn't necessarily mean I'm not working - I just will not even answer my office phone. It does give me much more work flexibility and helps with having more of a "life." I work to have the life I desire, but I'm not willing to have work become the number one priority in my life. My “work less; charge more” mantra may backfire a bit for some. The pricing raising strategy isn’t as successful these days - it has actually resulted in MORE work in recent years. There is the perception that is something costs more it must be better.

Like Lisa commented, scheduling projects in advance may be very helpful. I’m often getting projects on my calendar up to three months in advance - and I am finding it necessary to plan around 6+ weeks of vacation each year. Potential, and existing, clients are willing to wait at times.

One of my most successful time/work strategies has been establishing “office hours” of Monday through Thursday. I have no client contact on Fridays or weekends at all. The office being closed on Fridays doesn’t necessarily mean I’m not working - I just will not even answer my office phone. It does give me much more work flexibility and helps with having more of a “life.”

I work to have the life I desire, but I’m not willing to have work become the number one priority in my life.

]]> by: Lisa http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3765 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:33:08 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3765 Well...I don't think they are quite THAT thrilled about it Neil. But the honest to god fact about it is... I am booked and even my current clients know I have a queue. However... you guys keep talking about "higher prices" and "rising your fee." Maybe it is time to do that.... it's been a year since I last raised my fees. Thanks all. Well…I don’t think they are quite THAT thrilled about it Neil. But the honest to god fact about it is… I am booked and even my current clients know I have a queue. However… you guys keep talking about “higher prices” and “rising your fee.” Maybe it is time to do that…. it’s been a year since I last raised my fees. Thanks all.

]]> by: Neil Tortorella http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3756 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:17:19 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3756 Hi Lisa, Your suggestion is an excellent strategy ... for those with the guts to implement it. It tends to put you in the driver's seat a bit more firmly. When you can say to a prospect, "Your project sounds great! But, I'm booked a month out (or two, or three) and won't be able to start until then." The prospect tends to think, “Gee, they must be really good if they’re booked that far in advance.” Plus, it makes it easier to charge (and get) higher fees. Your prospect/client might even say something like, “Wow Marge, Lisa, with Dragonfly Blu Design, is going to design my brochure. I’m so lucky! Did you know she’s so good she’s booked months in advance? She said she’d try to squeeze me in in a month or so. I’m thrilled! I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.” Hi Lisa,
Your suggestion is an excellent strategy … for those with the guts to implement it. It tends to put you in the driver’s seat a bit more firmly. When you can say to a prospect, “Your project sounds great! But, I’m booked a month out (or two, or three) and won’t be able to start until then.” The prospect tends to think, “Gee, they must be really good if they’re booked that far in advance.” Plus, it makes it easier to charge (and get) higher fees. Your prospect/client might even say something like, “Wow Marge, Lisa, with Dragonfly Blu Design, is going to design my brochure. I’m so lucky! Did you know she’s so good she’s booked months in advance? She said she’d try to squeeze me in in a month or so. I’m thrilled! I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.”

]]> by: Lisa http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3754 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:31:12 +0000 http://www.businessofdesignonline.com/business-choices/#comment-3754 Thanks for this Cat. I actually have come up with another suggestion for handling a big work load. It doesn't stop the "last minute rush" issue but it does provide some breathing space in a hectic schedule... I've begun to tell clients who come to me with new work that I have a waiting list. Yup... it's true. Very politely I explain that the studio is extremely busy at this time and I inform them that I can't take on any new projects until after 5 days, 10 days or whatever the schedule allows. New clients are very understanding of this. I ask if they have a deadline and if so they might want to seek another designer. If no deadline is pending...most are quite willing and understanding of the wait. Thanks for this Cat. I actually have come up with another suggestion for handling a big work load. It doesn’t stop the “last minute rush” issue but it does provide some breathing space in a hectic schedule… I’ve begun to tell clients who come to me with new work that I have a waiting list. Yup… it’s true. Very politely I explain that the studio is extremely busy at this time and I inform them that I can’t take on any new projects until after 5 days, 10 days or whatever the schedule allows. New clients are very understanding of this. I ask if they have a deadline and if so they might want to seek another designer. If no deadline is pending…most are quite willing and understanding of the wait.

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