Librería Portfolio

What does it take to be the leader of a design firm or group? We often assume they have all the answers, but in this rapidly evolving industry they're forced to find their way like the rest of us. So how do good design leaders manage? If you lead a design group, or want to understand the people who do, this insightful book explores behind-the-scenes strategies and tactics from leaders of top design companies throughout North America.

Based on scores of interviews he conducted over a two-year period-from small companies to massive corporations like ESPN-author Richard Banfield covers a wide range of topics, including:

How design leaders create a healthy company culture
Innovative ways for attracting and nurturing talent
Creating productive workspaces, and handling remote employees
Staying on top of demands while making time for themselves
Consistent patterns among vastly different leadership styles
Techniques and approaches for keeping the work pipeline full
Making strategic and tactical plans for the future
Mistakes that design leaders made-and how they bounced back



Chapter 1Culture
Introduction
It Starts with the People
Laying the Foundation for Culture
Final Words
Key Takeaways
Chapter 2Talent
Introduction
Small Teams and Building Out
Developing Talent Is Similar to Developing a Sales Pipeline
Hire People Smarter than You
Grow out of Your Shoes, Not into Them
Hire Coachable People Willing to Learn
Growing Teams
Apprenticeships
Final Words
Key Takeaways
Chapter 3Office Space and Remote Working
Introduction
Selecting a Location
Layouts and Interior Design
Final Words
Key Takeaways
Chapter 4Personal Growth and Finding Balance
Introduction
Finding the Right Focus
Partners and Support
Designing Balance
Planning for a Harmonious Future
Growing Companies by Growing Leaders
Final Words
Key Takeaways
Chapter 5Planning for the Future
Introduction
Natural Planners Versus Learned Planning
That Pesky Ambiguous Future
Aligning Plans to Culture
Planning for Success, and Not the Other Thing
Connecting the Dots
Connecting Plans to Specific Revenue Outcomes
Be Bolder and Wiser
Staying Relevant
Final Words
Key Takeaways
Chapter 6Leadership Styles
Introduction
Failure as a Gift
The Long-Term Style
Chapter 7Sales and Marketing
Introduction
Opening Up
Aligning Marketing with Mission
Organizing for Optimal Outcomes
Converting Leads to Deals
Salespeople, Commissions, and Incentives
Sales and Marketing Pipelines
Creating Your Own Sales Lens
Final Words
Key Takeaways
Chapter 8Learning from Our Biggest Mistakes
Introduction
The Business Is the Design Project
Letting Go, Somewhat
Managing Growth
Working with Clients
Making Better Mistakes
Final Words
Key Takeaways