Our assumptions direct how we think, feel and act. Yet, most if not all of the time, they are hidden from our sight. On first glance, we often argue strongly for their validity. That’s because they create stability. On second glance, they can be the very foundations of what holds us back. Following on from
Top tips no 3: Pitching The pitch is when the relationship between agency and client starts to get serious. Ideally, you’ll have been building up to this moment over time, nurturing the relationship with conversations and contact. But the pitch takes things up to a new level. Other parties become interested and involved, perhaps people
Assumptions are like gravity. They keep you grounded. However, if you’re trying to take off, they’re not so useful. When you pitch you carry a host of assumptions that can get in your way. Take a look at these 10 and see if you hold any of them. If you want to change how you
Mark Twain said “It’s not what I don’t know that gets me into trouble. It’s what I know for sure that just ain’t so”. This speaks to the power of our assumptions. Often, a useful short-hand, they can equally stop us from growing and getting what we want. In my work with design professionals on
We all make assumptions. Quite often they’re a useful short-hand that makes us efficient. But they can form barriers that can keep us where we are and stop us from growing and reaching our potential. When it comes to presentations I’ve come across many of these when working with my clients. I want to highlight
The truth is, it’s actually the other way around. If you prepare, practise and then perform, your personal confidence takes care of itself, as if by magic; except of course it’s not magic at all. So how do you cultivate confidence? How might you block yourself from accessing it and what can you do to
What happens to your performance when you make some time for preparation and practise? I spoke with Bell Integrated senior client partner Ling Jin, account director Sarah Topley and head of design Jason Bannister, as well as Su Duff (ex-Bell) about the changes they’ve noticed in their performance as a result of changes to their
According to Up to the Light’s annual survey ‘What Clients Think 2016’: “The top three reasons for winning a pitch are good chemistry, bringing creative to life and confidence in delivery. “62% of clients believe that agency new business presentations feel generic. The presentation is a golden opportunity for design agencies to differentiate themselves and
I spoke with James Hurst, Executive Strategic Creative Director at DesignStudio about his experience of working with a coach and what he gets from the relationship. James has taken an unusual route to his current job. At first, he danced with the idea of having his own company. Then he worked in design agencies, then
There have been many benefits to Lisa’s move from Sydney to Shanghai, and indeed a good few ‘what have I done moments’. Lisa hails from the UK where she spent 8 years working in London, before moving to Sydney, Australia 5 years ago. She recently decided to move to Cowan Shanghai and has been there