When this year started, all of us whether in entrepreneurship, interior design or what have you, might have sworn to improve the processes we have in our business. We always what things to be better because we know that improved processes can gain us great results.

The benefits of a solid design process are immeasurable. They can improve your productivity and efficiency, reduce operating costs, effectively manage your resources, track your progress correctly.

Clear-cut processes can open up opportunities as well. When we are able to iron out all the rough edges in our business, the more room we have for growth—and more projects come in. We can even charge higher, right?

Most of all, the design process defines YOU – your brand. And it’s essential now more than ever.

Today, I will walk you through the steps to create a design process for your team and clients. You may ask, “Why are you separating both?” This is because the needs of your group differ from those of your clients, although some steps are adaptable for both.

Let’s begin with your team.

Organize Your Team with These Steps

Just because your team looks polished and complete doesn’t mean you already have a foolproof system in place.

A topsy-turvy internal process is less likely to provide excellent customer service. It’s a big waste of resources and talent. When the disorganization leaks, it hurts the brand big time.

To improve your design team, consider these steps:

1. Study Your Current Process

Innovation is one key to thrive in this cutthroat interior design industry, but you can never get to that place until you understand the areas in your current process that may need improvement.

You may well notice these gaps when most of your team members are working from home because of the coronavirus pandemic.

These questions can help you understand how your organization functions and which areas may need tweaking:

· How much time do you spend to complete an interior design project? You can focus on milestones or day-to-day tasks.

· How much do you spend on your operating costs? These can include your spending on marketing, labor, rent, materials, and utilities.

· How many clients do you have? How much do they bring to the business?

· What are your goals in the previous year (or past six months)? Have you been hitting them, and if not, what are the possible reasons?

· Are some team members doing more jobs than others? If so, then perhaps there’s a problem with delegation.

2. Use Technology to Your Advantage

You’re born when the growth of technology is unprecedented, and that’s a plus for you. While they cannot take over your jobs completely, you can automate processes. This frees you plenty of time and lowers your costs.

Here are the tools I recommend:

· Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (they’re great for marketing)

· Pinterest (I love Pinterest since you can curate designs, get analytics, and share your vision boards to your team and clients)

· Project management platforms, like Trello

· Collaboration tools, like Slack and Asana

· Calendar management systems, such as Google Calendar

· Cloud storage, such as Google Drive and Dropbox (you can organize and store documents and materials like portfolios, images of swatches, supplier directories, onboarding client kits, etc.)

· Communication tools, such as Skype, Google Meet, and Zoom

3. Build Your External Core Support Group

There’s no better time to receive the best support for your business than in this pandemic. Build your core support that helps your services thrive.

My business, A Design Partnership, has been helping interior designers for years to speak their brands. We can help you maximize your online and offline presence to attract the clientele you’re looking for.

Besides us, you can also work with:

· Professional accountants and bookkeepers to help you manage your financial statements (because knowing your numbers are critical these days)

· Temp staff agencies, which can boost your labor needs at any time

· Material suppliers and vendors, from furniture shops to textile retailers

· IT team, which you can outsource using affordable subscription plans

· Storage facilities, when your space can no longer accommodate your supplies

Close Client Deals with These Ideas

It’s going to be an uphill climb to comfort and victory for most businesses these days. But there’s a glimmer of hope. People are reinventing their spaces for coziness, convenience, and even safety.

The question is, how do you close deals at these times? Again, focus on the process:

1. Be Clear with the Process

Nothing scares and frustrates a client than a confusing design process. Early on, know how closing and onboarding will look like for them and your team:

· Communication – Who initiates it? If you have a website (which you must own now), perhaps clients can contact you through your e-mail address. I strongly recommend adding a Skype number. Follow the initial contact with a Zoom meeting.

· Payment process – How can the clients pay you? How much should they give you at different stages of the project?

· Project team – Who will work on the project? Who will be the project manager? Who will comprise your team for the project?

· Actual job – How do you plan to execute the project? What are your safety measures, and how long will it take? How can you measure floor plans?

· Client participation – How involved the client should be in the project? Should they be present during site visits or installations or renovations?

2. Develop and Present Your Proposal

The answers to the questions above will already help you fill in the contents of your proposal, but you can take it a step further to wow your client. If you cannot meet your clients safely offline, then I suggest two tools:

· Online presentations

· Virtual site tours

For your online presentations, you can use plenty of tools. These include the ever-reliable MS PowerPoint and platforms like Zoom, which helps you share your screen. There’s also Loom, Camtasia, and Flashback Pro to record your presentation.

For virtual site tours, you can use Apple iMovie (if you’re using iMac), CyberLink, Final Cut Pro X, and Movavi. If you’ve done the internal processes flawlessly, the resources, such as images and videos, are within your reach.

Otherwise, work with professional photographers and videographers for a day or two for a tour of a completed project or studio setup.

Roads are tougher these days, so you need the right vehicle to get through them. Your internal processes will help you sustain your interior design business until the world recovers.

We are passionate about helping brands gain more business focus. Schedule a consult with us HERE.

What Designers Need to Know About Internal and Client Processes