How's business? Some Home Truths.

Design-sector business consultant Shan Preddy believes that the more a design firm knows about business the more successful it will be, both financially and creatively. Designer Breakfasts agree.

Shan will launch her latest book, How to Run a Successful Design Business at the March Designer Breakfast and she'll tell you how the book covers everything you need to know to succeed, no matter how experienced you are.

To make sure that the book is as complete as possible, Shan invited over 80 other design experts — business advisers, designers, clients and associations — to share their ideas, advice and top tips. On 24 March, she will share with us a thought-provoking summary of its key points. Designer Breakfasts has had a sneak preview and think it's a must have publication — very much on our agenda — that's the agenda of small creative businesses.

Come along, join the conversation and take advantage of a special Designer Breakfasts offer — a 35% reduction on the price of the book. That’s £22.75, £10.50 cheaper than Amazon!

About Shan Preddy

Shan Preddy is a partner at PREDDY&CO, which delivers business development consultancy and skills training to design firms around the world. Her previous books include the ever-popular How To Market Design Consultancy Services. Shan's professional memberships include the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Marketing Society. She is an Elected Associate of D&AD, and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts. Shan is also an accredited consultant on the DBA's Experts Register, and she is a member of the Advisory Board of the UK Design Alliance, which promotes and supports skills in the design industry through its Good Design Practice campaigns.

Come and share your own experiences. Event £25.55 including VAT.

Future events in 2011

Following our focus on value, return on inspiration, professionalising design businesses and leadership in 2010, our theme for 2011 is Telling the truth. Bonnie Dean (council member, Design Council) told us last May, "Designers uncover the truth. In most businesses people don't tell the truth. What's more, telling the truth at the top is the hardest because the chief executive has so much invested in a product. A designer can tell them it is boring, but also how it can change. If you can do this in a way that can be heard, you can become a trusted adviser which is where you want to be."

2011 Designer Breakfasts

Breakfasts in 2011 on Telling the truth feature:

A panel of designers are asked about Saying yes and saying no – 28 April

Wally Olins -  How do designers become more influential and make more money? – 26 May

Richard Seymour, Seymourpowell - 23 June

To be announced – 28 July

August - closed

To be announced – 22 September

Blair Enns - 24 November

To round off this 2011 series of 10 breakfasts, we are publishing 10 critical responses by writers’ group 26. At our Christmas party, you’ll get a sneak preview and a glass of bubbly – December (date and location to be announced).

Save these dates! Check our website for a link to buy tickets nearer the event.

Be Brilliant at Business in 12 weeks.

Owners and directors of small & medium design businesses — you've told us what you need for your business, and we've created the programme to deliver it! Starting after Easter, Designer Breakfasts, in association with Through the Forest Mentor-Coaching, brings you an innovative programme of London-based LIVE experiential workshops to help you boost business confidence, strategy and performance.

http://designerbreakfasts.com/files/Be-Brilliant-at-Business-22-02-11.pdf

If you would like more details about funding, practical details, what we will cover and bookings email  jax@designerbreakfasts.net .

Connecting tutors to the design world initiative

As a response to the UK Design Alliance — the Design Council's network of networks umbrella- initiative to connect and involve colleges and universities with the design industry, we will be offering 2 free places for design tutors to come to each monthly Designer Breakfast. If you are a tutor who would like to attend a breakfast or would like to recommend one please email  jax@designerbreakfasts.net and put ‘Tutor ticket’ in the subject line.

Stand-by tickets for students

We will be offering stand-by tickets for students for £5. If there are free places still available two days before the breakfast, students should email  jax@designerbreakfasts.net and put ‘Student ticket’ in the subject line.

Missed previous Designer Breakfasts? Listen to, or see them, online

You can catch up with the thoughts of Bonnie Dean, Mat Hunter, Glenn Tutssel, Ben Terrett, Jonathan Porritt and others at http://designerbreakfasts.net. Designer Breakfasts have recorded recent events and you can hear our podcasts online. We are now videoing events so that designers outside London can benefit more fully.

Got a good story?

If you have a piece of news or an offer designers can't resist, let us know. We'll consider it for our next newsletter. Mail us: events@designerbreakfasts.net .

Designer Breakfasts is the hub for people who own or work in small creative businesses. It stages monthly events around the themes of entrepreneurship, co-ownership and co-creation (new models of engagement), selling creative thinking, not just outputs, and taking designers' vision to SMEs. Designer Breakfasts was established in 2005 by design businesses Abrahams and Tatham Design, and communications specialists The Ministry of Love. Visit www.designerbreakfasts.net for more information.