Making Sense

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Washington Design Center in DC to a large group of design professionals http://mura.martreg.com/dcdesigncenter/index.cfm/businessofdesign/november2/

The common theme of the questions from the audience revolves around positioning of design services to recession-weary consumers. My response to that is professional services need to be articulated more clearly, scopes of services need to be defined even more succinctly, and designers need to be willing to do smaller portions of a project until a client is comfortable proceeding with more. However, the pricing of services should still be priced at a premium as with any professional service, just commensurate with the amount of service being provided. In other words, professionals are not charging less for their time/creativity; they are just charging it in smaller chunks and spreading it out over a longer period, in many instances.

Check out the latest on London design from Rebecca James at http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/11/02/london-design/

Hear me speak in San Diego on November 17th!!! http://pitch.pe/98889

Why Design Now? Solving Global Challenges Conference can be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/user/gereports
Kind of like TED without all of the expense!

"Phase 1 of the project went well. I really love everything that we picked out and Diane was very good at listening to me and working within my constraints. My house is minimally decorated, but I love everything we purchased. I really love my house and everything in it, so even if I have to sit for awhile as is, I am delighted. I am definitely thrilled to have connected with you and Diane and look forward to working with you both for years to come (there will be many phases, this is a house we will grow into over the next several years). She is a terrific lady and did her best to accomodate me and always made herself available by phone, even when she was traveling."

This is a HUGE event - 24 Wealth Building Experts are marshaling
their knowledge to help small businesses break out of the
recession. It's from October 18-23, all online, and there are
such luminaries as Richard Branson, The Dalai Lama, Harvey
Mackey, Reggie Brooks and others. Way it'll work is that there
will be 3 or 4 experts presenting each evening. Amazing thing is
that the presenters are waiving their normal speaking fees and
attendees will be able to interact and ask questions. There will
be a TON of topics, including real estate, improving one's FICO
score, how to coach others for profit and others. Check it ALL
out at: http://www.virtualwealthexpo.com .

New York's Architects are fighting obesity through designs that stimulate activity!

http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/2010/10/101008Urban_Movement_Design.asp

New York City reported a significant increase in its average daily hotel room rate increasing by 17.2% to $275.29!

STOLER REAL ESTATE REPORT & THIS WEEK ON NY REAL ESTATE TV

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/STOLER-REAL-ESTATE-REPORT---THIS-WEEK-ON-NY-REAL-ESTATE-TV.html?soid=1101409962618&aid=PQdou_JbpBw#fblike

Designers help properties sell faster & for more $$$ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/nyregion/05appraisal.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rssShare what's interesting to you

Business Strategy Roundtables for Entrepreneurs--pitch or just listen!

http://www.sramanamitra.com/entrepreneurship-strategy-roundtables/