I have just read Andrew Princes' COI letter in design week 26.11.09.
http://www.designweek.co.uk/coi-is-not-to-blame-for-public-sector-problems/3007140.article
We applied for the COI tender and received the full documentation. I find it amazing he thinks a response can be put together in 4 hours. It takes that long to read all the materials and work out how to fill in the PQQ before you start pulling together all the info required including relevant case studies and a written page to support each - make that 2 - 3 days and you have a realistic timeframe. Even at 4 hours with 1000 applying that's 500 working days of time that will only yield a result for up to 10% of respondents - 450 wasted days! The pre qualification is only the start. If you get through there is an ITT for which they want even more detailed information. I read and re read the requirements and came to the conclusion that despite being ably qualified for 3 or 4 of the 11 lots (why 11 lots just for branding!?), the questions were framed in such a way that you start to question your ability to deliver. Having been in business since 1991 and delivered full identity and branding solutions for the public and private sector and retained many of these clients on a long term basis we know we can deliver. But is public sector and procurement worth all the hassle? When I re read the materials I discovered that each lot could have up to 10 agencies on each roster. All agencies are invited to tender for each project and where there is cross over of lots for a branding project the agencies in that lot are also invited to tender. Based on my understanding this could mean having gone through all of this you could have 30 agencies tendering for 1 project. The total budget for the year is listed as £1,000,000. So 11 lots with up to 10 agencies in each means that by my maths that works out as less than £10,000 per project which for a branding exercise is not much for the risk involved. This coupled with the fact that you have to tender for every job means we opted out at the first hurdle to focus on real clients with real needs. When will the public sector realise the value and benefit of long term relationships built on respect, trust, knowledge and experience? How much does procurement and tendering cost the tax payer and the design agencies against any perceived saving this process achieves? How much better are the designers that get through all the hoops? How can piecemeal projects deliver true strategic approaches and brand consistency? I am sure that some of those that get through will see the benefits but from outside I just see the over complex inefficiency of bureaucratic administration that hinders many of our public sector services and delivers no real value.
Who counts the cost?
Monday, 30 November 2009
Friday, 13 November 2009
Joining or creating a bandwagon!
I'm not sure if posting part of an email is a blog, but i'll put it down to my experimentation with social media before anyone starts reading or following my monologues! I'm trying to get my mind in order after the very inspiring yet worrying launch of a new mini publication that the email refers to and just scratching the surface of a subject area that everyone seems to be talking about in different ways for different outcomes with the same end game - to save the planet and we've got just 10 years to do it.
Worrying stuff, for starters i may still be alive! (Bit selfish.)
So I'll be joining forums, catching up and in the process decide if we are joining a band wagon or that if, with a bit of inspiration, we may be able to create one.
So the email is a response to the DBA following a request for feedback on subject material for future seminars after the very rich and interesting one given on social media by Gemma Went earlier this week. The extract goes:
"I have been going to a few non design talks recently but these have been overshadowed by one run by tommow's company at the House of Lords on Wednesday. It was entitled 'qualitative growth' and launched a paper by the ICAEW and was supported by the WWF. It set the real agenda for businesses and the paradigm shift that is required within the next 10 years. I also went to the tomorrow's company Al Gore lecture last year on climate change with his 10 year deadline. This in itself was eye opening but watered down CSR, sustainability and climate change initiatives have not really tackled the issues - we await the outcome of the summit next month. Unlike many there, I had not heard of Hazel Henderson or Fritjof Capra but they were the key speakers by video link. Their revelations and recommendations were quite shocking but are the issues that we must all be looking at, whether we agree with them or not. I'll be looking into this more and trying to find ways that as designers we can help this 'transformational change' take place. There is a lot of disparate info out there but a bit more focus on this area by the DBA and design publications will really help designers like us to advise and influence clients."
Google here I come...
Worrying stuff, for starters i may still be alive! (Bit selfish.)
So I'll be joining forums, catching up and in the process decide if we are joining a band wagon or that if, with a bit of inspiration, we may be able to create one.
So the email is a response to the DBA following a request for feedback on subject material for future seminars after the very rich and interesting one given on social media by Gemma Went earlier this week. The extract goes:
"I have been going to a few non design talks recently but these have been overshadowed by one run by tommow's company at the House of Lords on Wednesday. It was entitled 'qualitative growth' and launched a paper by the ICAEW and was supported by the WWF. It set the real agenda for businesses and the paradigm shift that is required within the next 10 years. I also went to the tomorrow's company Al Gore lecture last year on climate change with his 10 year deadline. This in itself was eye opening but watered down CSR, sustainability and climate change initiatives have not really tackled the issues - we await the outcome of the summit next month. Unlike many there, I had not heard of Hazel Henderson or Fritjof Capra but they were the key speakers by video link. Their revelations and recommendations were quite shocking but are the issues that we must all be looking at, whether we agree with them or not. I'll be looking into this more and trying to find ways that as designers we can help this 'transformational change' take place. There is a lot of disparate info out there but a bit more focus on this area by the DBA and design publications will really help designers like us to advise and influence clients."
Google here I come...
Saturday, 7 November 2009
A November rant - must be the weather
Anyone else noticed that the governments logo for 'solutions for business' is 'red tape'! We came across this initiative, aimed at simplifying support, while working on a funding project with the brief that we had to work within the branding framework set out in the governments solutions for business programme. Having visited the site and clicked various links we soon discovered this is anything but simple :
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/enterprise/simplifyingbusinesssupport/page44802.html
We have to agree though that 'red tape' as a logo is in fact very appropriate!
Next project, communicating the need for SME's to take a more active role in reducing environmental impact at work in line with Governmental policies. We're an SME but have never really considered the definition of an SME. Our research showed that roughly 99.5% of SME's in London have between 1 and 49 staff and 0.5% have 50 to 250. In Europe, SME companies are defined as: less than 10 staff are 'micro'; less than 50 staff are small and with less than 250 staff are medium. So it's no surprise that given these statistics that nearly all the documentation and 'red tape' we receive as an SME is more appropriate for the 0.5% rather than the 99.5% group. Certainly in our appraisal of the communications requirement for our project, there was a need for a tiered approach with sector specific messages to these different types of business within the SME bracket. I would suggest that some of the guidance and rules given to SMEs from government should also be tailored to 'micro', small and medium, but this could obviously make things more complex and undermine 'simplifying business support'.
When will Government, the public sector and procurement departments really make an effort to simplify things so people can actually get on with jobs and work that benefit people and planet rather than having to plough through endless red tape to tick boxes to satisfy the people that write the gobbledigook!
There is hope. We have recently started working with a couple of public sector procurement departments that actually have some understanding of what we do and don't ask us in contracts for a website to "clear our waste on completion of on site works"!
The joy of public sector work... it would be if only we could get through the PQQs and ITTs. Give me fast paced, relationship building, knowledge sharing, mutual respect and reward, private sector work any day... until public sector cut the red tape, believe in trust and build relationships with their suppliers.
End of rant and will have Christmas cheer hat on for next blog...
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/enterprise/simplifyingbusinesssupport/page44802.html
We have to agree though that 'red tape' as a logo is in fact very appropriate!
Next project, communicating the need for SME's to take a more active role in reducing environmental impact at work in line with Governmental policies. We're an SME but have never really considered the definition of an SME. Our research showed that roughly 99.5% of SME's in London have between 1 and 49 staff and 0.5% have 50 to 250. In Europe, SME companies are defined as: less than 10 staff are 'micro'; less than 50 staff are small and with less than 250 staff are medium. So it's no surprise that given these statistics that nearly all the documentation and 'red tape' we receive as an SME is more appropriate for the 0.5% rather than the 99.5% group. Certainly in our appraisal of the communications requirement for our project, there was a need for a tiered approach with sector specific messages to these different types of business within the SME bracket. I would suggest that some of the guidance and rules given to SMEs from government should also be tailored to 'micro', small and medium, but this could obviously make things more complex and undermine 'simplifying business support'.
When will Government, the public sector and procurement departments really make an effort to simplify things so people can actually get on with jobs and work that benefit people and planet rather than having to plough through endless red tape to tick boxes to satisfy the people that write the gobbledigook!
There is hope. We have recently started working with a couple of public sector procurement departments that actually have some understanding of what we do and don't ask us in contracts for a website to "clear our waste on completion of on site works"!
The joy of public sector work... it would be if only we could get through the PQQs and ITTs. Give me fast paced, relationship building, knowledge sharing, mutual respect and reward, private sector work any day... until public sector cut the red tape, believe in trust and build relationships with their suppliers.
End of rant and will have Christmas cheer hat on for next blog...
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Are they missing the point! or postman to blame...
We try to send out a press release each month, or more often when possible, but time is always against us in this fast paced side of communications. We have sent two stories to design week this year about our work for, up until now, low profile EPSRC, the research council for Science and Engineering. We originally talked about our branding for 'IMPACT!', their campaign to raise awareness of the impact of science on society but it didn't get any coverage. Disappointment all round. This month we followed up with news of our ground breaking design for a new satellite website, 'Impact World' :
http://www.impactworld.org.uk
We eagerly awaited our copy of design week to drop through our letterbox on Thursday. It did but no story again! Having failed twice to get coverage I felt a stand had to be made so a heavy two finger typed email venting my frustration was sent into the email ether. I pointed out that as the leading UK funder of scientific research (they invest over £800 million per year in research) why did nothing appear about the website, not even making it onto 'news in brief' ahead of something as bland and uninspiring as 'the London Restaurant Festival' (p5). I ranted on about Design Week's complete lack of understanding of the importance of Science in society.
I really wanted to understand why a business that doesn't have a high profile name but that has such a huge impact on society is not perceived as news worthy - I asked them if anyone actually took the time to look at the site and read some of the stories. Maybe like us, they are so bogged down with information overload that they don't have the time to spare so stick to the usual favourites, the quick wins and the no brainers while the unknowns stay that way - shame!
All sounded good to me until the short but sweet response that perhaps this was a postal issue and that the 'London Restaurant Festival' logo appeared in last weeks issue - I realised my error! Despite arrival on the right day of the week, I had received my design week one week late! Egg on face or what but no time left to vent my anger at that creaking establishment - the Royal Mail!
With nothing about EPSRC up on the DW website, I still await this weeks copy to see what coverage science gets. In some small way I hope it is a very small piece so that some of my frustration was justified.
I know the PR fraternity out there will be saying get a good agency on board and the stories will flow but I find it difficult enough to find the time to write a press release for Design Week, the occasional blog, let alone start a PR campaign (but it's a thought for better times!).
Meanwhile I'll pause a little longer next time before letting loose with my two finger typing!
http://www.impactworld.org.uk
We eagerly awaited our copy of design week to drop through our letterbox on Thursday. It did but no story again! Having failed twice to get coverage I felt a stand had to be made so a heavy two finger typed email venting my frustration was sent into the email ether. I pointed out that as the leading UK funder of scientific research (they invest over £800 million per year in research) why did nothing appear about the website, not even making it onto 'news in brief' ahead of something as bland and uninspiring as 'the London Restaurant Festival' (p5). I ranted on about Design Week's complete lack of understanding of the importance of Science in society.
I really wanted to understand why a business that doesn't have a high profile name but that has such a huge impact on society is not perceived as news worthy - I asked them if anyone actually took the time to look at the site and read some of the stories. Maybe like us, they are so bogged down with information overload that they don't have the time to spare so stick to the usual favourites, the quick wins and the no brainers while the unknowns stay that way - shame!
All sounded good to me until the short but sweet response that perhaps this was a postal issue and that the 'London Restaurant Festival' logo appeared in last weeks issue - I realised my error! Despite arrival on the right day of the week, I had received my design week one week late! Egg on face or what but no time left to vent my anger at that creaking establishment - the Royal Mail!
With nothing about EPSRC up on the DW website, I still await this weeks copy to see what coverage science gets. In some small way I hope it is a very small piece so that some of my frustration was justified.
I know the PR fraternity out there will be saying get a good agency on board and the stories will flow but I find it difficult enough to find the time to write a press release for Design Week, the occasional blog, let alone start a PR campaign (but it's a thought for better times!).
Meanwhile I'll pause a little longer next time before letting loose with my two finger typing!
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Busy busy busy
Had hoped to have one blog per month but there is a sense of relief that this has not been achieved due to work, work, work. Whether its a return from the non barbeque summer to desks of to do lists or true signs of recovery we are certainly starting to reap the rewards of our investment in getting our brand and marketing materials evolved to inspire and engage with the audiences that are making up the current and developing communications landscape. We are now helping new clients like EDF energy and EPSRC to realize their visions and the order books are starting to fill with new work from existing clients. The entrepreneurial spirit is also alive and kicking as we help smaller ventures to establish their brands where new opportunities are coming to light. We've just got to ensure we leave enough time to design our 2010 calendar! So I've beaten my midnight deadline to get this one in for September so that I've only missed out August!
Saturday, 11 July 2009
time and change
Today saw the launch of our new website. This is not just an update but is a complete rebrand that is the culmination of hours of discussion, debate, tension and persuasion. The persuasion being the majority trying to persuade a minority of one that it was time for change. Change is a difficult thing when there is 'history' and 'investment' but you do have to listen and although the change may be slower than some may want it does eventually happen. The balance of knowledge and experience with that of youth and flare is a catalyst for effective change rather than change for changes sake. It's not until it reaches these final stages that you can look back, compare and realise that this was so right. Not just the creative and timing but all the positives that have come out of it. The team spirit, the motivation, the drive and determination to create a consistent brand image that reflects our passion and belief in simplicity and good design.
It wont stop here. We have set ourselves a task to experiment, develop and evolve our brand. We want to embrace new technologies and methods of communication, especially the social networking revolution. We need to understand this so we can help our clients and friends to use it to its full potential. This is a challenge in itself as time as usual will be our enemy. Twitter, Flickr, Blogs, Myspace, Facebook, Linked-in et al - how does anyone have the time to keep these up to date with content thats useful or relevant, or infact read and keep up to date with all that's going on! It's difficult enough for us to write a blog once a month let alone once a week or daily.The opportunities are exciting and the benefits real but this is another area of change that needs the steady hand of experience and knowledge to help extract the true value that can be gained from these new forms of communication. The one constant for us will be our core principal - it should be clear concise communication.
It wont stop here. We have set ourselves a task to experiment, develop and evolve our brand. We want to embrace new technologies and methods of communication, especially the social networking revolution. We need to understand this so we can help our clients and friends to use it to its full potential. This is a challenge in itself as time as usual will be our enemy. Twitter, Flickr, Blogs, Myspace, Facebook, Linked-in et al - how does anyone have the time to keep these up to date with content thats useful or relevant, or infact read and keep up to date with all that's going on! It's difficult enough for us to write a blog once a month let alone once a week or daily.The opportunities are exciting and the benefits real but this is another area of change that needs the steady hand of experience and knowledge to help extract the true value that can be gained from these new forms of communication. The one constant for us will be our core principal - it should be clear concise communication.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Top 100?
Well we’ve managed to move up the design week top 100 rankings and now are 92, up from 98. A long way still to go but the report has prompted me to write my first blog.
Last year was a good year for us at to the point but when filling in this years forms for design week we took a cautious approach to future growth in 2009. All the trademarks of recession were there. Having set up in '91 we've experienced it before, so a great time for start-ups but I was more than surprised that we were one of only two to put forward negative growth. For us this would still see us in profit but realistic about the coming year. We have grown steadily and secured a debt free business with owned premises - in boom times we didn't over expand, over indulge or rely on one sector or client.
With steady growth, a focus on client service, delivery and value for money we have retained a wide client base across a variety of sectors. Budgets have been cut, projects put on hold and long term relationships with individuals ended through redundancy but work is still coming in. We will for now remain focused on helping these existing clients rather than chasing the ever increasing number of unpaid pitches for new business.
There may not be the money now but when things do improve these clients will work with the suppliers/partners who have supported them through tough times. The lost colleagues will get new jobs and growth will be on the cards again. So for now its helping some of them make their CVs look more creative and even looking at our own brand and communications. It’s the first time in 18 years that we've had the time and with sound investment in the business and our staff we will weather this recession and come out strong on the other side.
We'll need to evolve our offer to suit the new landscape, but without jumping on the sustainability band wagon of designers changing the world. I prefer the more modest 'butterfly effect' that even small changes we help our clients make will have an impact.
Last year was a good year for us at to the point but when filling in this years forms for design week we took a cautious approach to future growth in 2009. All the trademarks of recession were there. Having set up in '91 we've experienced it before, so a great time for start-ups but I was more than surprised that we were one of only two to put forward negative growth. For us this would still see us in profit but realistic about the coming year. We have grown steadily and secured a debt free business with owned premises - in boom times we didn't over expand, over indulge or rely on one sector or client.
With steady growth, a focus on client service, delivery and value for money we have retained a wide client base across a variety of sectors. Budgets have been cut, projects put on hold and long term relationships with individuals ended through redundancy but work is still coming in. We will for now remain focused on helping these existing clients rather than chasing the ever increasing number of unpaid pitches for new business.
There may not be the money now but when things do improve these clients will work with the suppliers/partners who have supported them through tough times. The lost colleagues will get new jobs and growth will be on the cards again. So for now its helping some of them make their CVs look more creative and even looking at our own brand and communications. It’s the first time in 18 years that we've had the time and with sound investment in the business and our staff we will weather this recession and come out strong on the other side.
We'll need to evolve our offer to suit the new landscape, but without jumping on the sustainability band wagon of designers changing the world. I prefer the more modest 'butterfly effect' that even small changes we help our clients make will have an impact.
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