Experts Blog

Design now for a competitive edge

You don't need me to remind you that markets are much more competitive, revenues are being squeezed and many have lost faith in our politicians and our economy. At times like this when budgets are shrinking, it can be tempting to cut your spending on design. After all, design is an area that can be difficult to understand, measure and source. However, could it be possible to design yourself out of a downturn?

The fact is that it is even more important to invest in design when times are hard. Now is the time that your target audience needs to be convinced that you are the right business to spend with. Now is when your potential customers need to be aware of you, your products and services. Now is when you need to connect with your target audience by responding to their needs and providing solutions.

What's more, if you go against the trend of reining in design investment your business could gain an edge over your competition. Let your rivals reduce or completely cut their spend on design, but continue your own investment in design.

Attitudes to design

According to the Design Council, "When times are tough it is change, dynamism and vitality – not hunkering down quietly – which are the keys to success... The decision to innovate – to rethink and regenerate products, operations and image – can be taken by a company of any size and in any area. Design and brand strategy can help elevate a firm or its products from the ordinary, the tired or the predictable, demonstrating that the business is alive, dynamic and responsive. And in a declining market that just might make the difference between growth and collapse."

I strongly believe that attitudes to design need to change, especially in the minds of start-up and small-business owners. I hear small-business owners convince themselves that they can manage with DIY design solutions, because they are not the 'big boys' and can't afford dedicated design departments. But how can you ever become a 'big boy' without investing in design?

Case study

Let's take beer, for example. This industry is declining with consumers spending less, and reduced supermarket pricing and the smoking ban causing even bigger challenges. Then there was Castle Rock Brewery in Nottingham. Well aware of the weakening beer market, they realised that a stronger brand was a priority. According to the design team that worked on Castle Rock, "Its corporate identity lacked authority, was being used inconsistently and in most cases almost apologetically across its communications. The crafting and attention to detail evident in its award-winning beers was not in any way reflected in its customer-facing image." A clearer focus was brought in, a coherent range of beer badges created and individual beers were given their own personality, whilst clearly remaining part of the Castle Rock range. And the results? Since the rebranding, the company’s barrel sales have doubled (20% year on year), a full year ahead of business projections, in a market which is otherwise in decline.

Is it time to recognise that investing in design (especially in an economic downtown) is not an extravagant luxury but a competitive necessity?

Sara Brown of sarabrown.co.uk

Five tips for a successful product launch

I have recently been spending a lot of time thinking about product launches. My employer, Actinic , is a few weeks away from rolling out a major update to one of its ecommerce software products. While we have the advantage of an existing user base, many of the fundamentals for launching are the same whether it is an existing product or something completely new.

1. Understand the Unique Value Proposition

If your product is sat on the launch pad I would hope by this stage you know what it is that makes your offering different from the rest. The importance of your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) cannot be understated; it’s the lifeblood of any product launch. Review, discuss and research until you are totally convinced you have got it right; you only get one launch window.

2. Talk to prospective customers

Get out there and talk to the very people you want to sell your product to. Discuss your plans for the product, both now and in the future. Get their feedback; it could be you missed something.

3. How are you going to sell and market?

Choosing where to market your product can be difficult. Make informed decisions based on research. It might even be a good idea to run several small pilot schemes to see where you get the most success. However prepare to be ruthless if you’re not seeing the results. It’s easier to make decisions before you have spent the entire budget on something that’s not working.

4. Make yourself heard

Find out who the influential people are in your space and hustle, annoy and pester them. That is until you get a chance to demonstrate why your product is the best. Nothing is better than a personal recommendation regardless of the product or service. Go to events, chat to people and network, network, network!

5.  Bring the whole team on the journey

A successful product launch requires commitment and understanding throughout your organisation.

When President Kennedy visited NASA in 1961 he came across a cleaner, and asked him what his job was. The cleaner replied “My Job is to put a man on the moon, Sir”. Now that probably is the greatest launch of all time.

Ben Dyer of Actinic