If you could change three things about creative businesses culture what would they be? I want to hear from freelancers & perm people :)

We're developing a range of products and we want your help. Our products will focus on training, toolkits, and support for areas like ED&I, Mental Health and Wellbeing and creating safe workplaces. They will be offered to Freelancers as well as bigger businesses (with different price points) but we know that there may be other areas that we're missing and we'd love to know what they are?

Replies11

  • @Esther Villalobos Hi Esther, I too am a psychologist and I have thought for a very long time that creativity is seen as the underdog. That we are taught skills through the education and work mechanisms which are very "left brain" focused and that in fact we're missing a whole heap of creative genius and possibly even a kinder world because of this view. Thanks for the link I'll look at it later :)
  • @Pia Steiner It's unbelieveable we're still talking about flexible working but it's true that we are still having to push for this change.
  • @Jakub Oleskevic generally speaking, commercial art isn't believed to positively affect the bottom line. For instance, it's too difficult for business analysts to match a change of packaging design to an uplift in sales when other variables could have affected those sales. If it was easier to correlate product/service sales with brand aesthetics then it would be easier for business owners to value designers.
  • For freelancers: better payment terms (ie on time, less than 45 days) and better time management (ie respectful bookings and briefings - no last minute, urgent, unrealistic deadlines)

    For perm people: better time management (ie better work/life balance - less unsociable hours) and less stakeholders or clear stakeholder vision (ie no endless rounds of approvals and mixed messaging)
  • @Katja Alissa Mueller Thanks so much, so helpful and so true! We've already got the tailored to each business perspective; that's entirely our ethos, no one size fits all with us! And I agree with the other stuff :)
  • Hi Sarah,
    Sounds like you are creating something exciting.

    1. Actively listen to every single person about what they need and want. A one for all solution often doesn’t work.
    2. Employers really following through on flexible working options.
    3. More transparency

    Please do keep us updated on how things are progressing. k
  • @Peter Jackson I couldn't agree more Peter! We're the best story tellers and reinventors but not the best naval gazers. Thanks so much for your help :)
  • 1. The industry is divided into creative and criticism – criticism needs to get creative.
    2. The Design Council Double Diamond process model is Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver – let’s introduce Debrief.
    3. Ask more questions like yours.
    It’s an absolutely wonderful sector! But the same mistakes are often repeated - is possibility sometimes being overshadowed by positivity?
  • I think the biggest issue is work for 'exposure' or low paid work. How is it that creative work is often so undervalued?

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