The British design sector has launched search to find role models for growth and performance within the industry.
The Design Business Association (DBA) and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) announced they are seeking eight design consultancies to participate in their Small/Medium/Large 2006 (S/M/L) initiative.
S/M/L will select its group of micro to small design companies to participate in a subsidised programme of business strategy and mentoring aimed at helping the businesses focus and develop their goals
Mentors will help the companies over a period of six months to identify their obstacles to growth and plan for the future in a way that preserves their creative standards, client service or profitability, organisers said.
NESTA said it believes the UK design industry has a wealth of creative talent and skills but fails to capitalise on its potential for growth because of a lack of business planning.
Research by the DBA found that half of the country’s design consultancies have no long-term plans for their business. For some, it’s not knowing where to start in terms of defining their long-term goals, while others have strong creative confidence but lack conviction in their own business acumen.
Still, others believe that growing the business means selling-out, the study said.
S/M/L is open to businesses with 20 employees or less and two or more years’ worth of full accounts.
Deadline for entry is 5 p.m., Monday, 6 March. Entrants may apply at www.dba.org.uk/sml2006.
