How Strategy SAVED My Design Business

What is strategy? How can a traditional design business adopt strategy into its core offerings? Chris Do shares his trials and tribulations before discovering a strategic framework in Core.
CORE: ftris.me/Core
Brand Strategy Fundamentals: ftris.me/Brand...
Chris Do goes into detail about how implementing brand strategy, saved his company.
Chris: Blind was on a steady decline after the collapse of the housing market in 2008. Revenue was slowly evaporating, and we had to make changes quickly. We tried repositioning and adding services like web design and branding, but all of them did not net in the results we were looking for. Then we added brand strategy to our offerings, and it changed the direction of our company forever.
Full video: • How Strategy Changed M...
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Host: Chris Do
Producers: Mark Contreras / Ricky Lucas
Cinematographers/Editors: Stewart Schuster, Ricky Lucas, Jona Garcia
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[@fizzaiftikhar]

Chris, i can't believe you've shared this much value for free. You deserve all that money we waste on schools for years but still not learn the simple basic thing that you've been sharing with us. THE STRATEGY

[@thefutur]

Thank you

[@eckz8659]

Going through something similar now. After two decades of doing this, I'm not entirely sure what changed on my end other than just growing business sense on my end. I sat down with the client and actually mapped out their goals, most and least profitable offerings, new roleouts, improvements they'll be making moving into the year and got a really good, firm grasp of how their business worked before I even started on anything else. Thus far it's going really well and the client has become a good friend of mine that I now talk with nightly. I love your content, keep it up.

[@federov100]

It still amazes me how design education fails to offer students a solid business foundation

[@beetdiggingcougar]

Business school doesn't offer student a solid business foundation.

[@ALMBusinessInstitute]

So many focused business training schools, including traditional schools, fail to do this. You are spot on!!!

[@jdee2095]

Ya its best to get 2 degrees 1 in design and an AA in business administration. Then that way you can better understand of accounting administrating receiving and even how to do SWOT tests.

[@jdee2095]

@@beetdiggingcougar lol did DeVry take your money? I'm just playing, kids are so young when they go to business school they have no idea what questions to ask because they've never really been exposed to a full-time professional working environment. Most people don't understand Asset = liabilities + equity nor do they understand basic accounting of fixed and variable costs to their business. The main thing that kills small businesses is a failure to analyze or track. The future shows it beautifully

[@darkest_magnum]

It's a competition. Your Tutor sees you as competitor. Something we students don't see back then.

[@barbiefigueroa]

Man this video was pure GOLD… this reminds me of when I finally made the connection between strategy and design… that’s when I went from web designer to Lead Converting Web Designer. Big difference. Strategy and understanding the end goal for the client was when I went from designer to consultant. This also makes me realize I know way more than I gave myself credit for. Thank you Chris. I learn the way you teach and get tons of value from what you share. 🥰

[@thekofiannan]

I see it as this, Strategy is the foundation of any business. Without a long-term solid strategy, no business would stand the test of time.

[@sandovalsolutions]

Great take on it all! 👏🏼

[@thekofiannan]

@@sandovalsolutions yh Rafael

[@theboringuxer]

There are business goals and product goals. It's the product goals we are looking for. What will this product bring to market? How will it serve its users? This is how we define it when strategizing in UX for digital products.

[@spmxo]

5:55 exactly Chris ! Our ancestors had observed the pattern of shadows and invented clock. They had observed the seasons and water cycle and cultivated land based on the climate. There are patterns of how and when stars appear in the sky, plants blossom flowers, clouds rain, seasons change etc. Today we are where we are because our ancestors had observed patterns and cultivated nature for their and our existence. In the same way, observing patterns and data in the business is also important. That's critical for business growth! Always love your videos. Thank you for the knowledge you bring to us.❤❤❤

[@Martinit0]

Wow, appreciate the transparency here. Making that kind of radical pivot is not easy. I am sure Jose is proud of you.

[@Emma4dfuture]

I needed this. Sometimes we need to hear the stories so we can glean the principles for ourselves. This is not a video to watch once. Thanks, Chris. Thanks, The Futur team.

[@Mpacitto]

Problem aware. Solution aware. Product aware. I've never head of the consideration... whatever the other two stages are I can never remember them This is brilliant

[@nicodemos.]

Chris, everytime I watch your videos I somehow feel amazed by these things that you do. I learn too much with u, but in depth I just don't know yet what I will do with this knowledge, and by this i find myself in this future insecurity feelings. Although I recognize that's a common part of the growing up, it's hard to pass throughout this phase. At least, I believe one day I will teach people, just like you do, and somehow gave them the opportunity to be whatever they want to be. Thank you so much by all the new visions and inspiration, you're amazing. From a future Brazilian DO

[@thefutur]

Just identify a direction and keep taking a step everyday.

[@AndresTheDesigner]

This story hits home on so many levels… thank you for sharing Chris! 🙌🏼

[@thefutur]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bb_4488]

My favorite Futur video in a while! Thank you, Chris. As i slowly niche down and get tighter positioning, one of the methods I have used is requiring “strategy” for anyone who just asks for a logo. It was implied before but now I am explicit about it. Huge value on this video, thanks again!

[@thefutur]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LazyDesigner]

I'm from India, and I'm trying to transition my Graphic Design business to Motion Design, thus I made a KZbin channel to practise and build links. I'm dealing with the identical issue you addressed in the video, and I've learned a lot. I'm hoping to put all of the tips and tactics you provided to use. Thank you very much, Chris.

[@banziimavusotv]

This is too cool, since 2018 I have been listening to The Futur and the lessons have had so much great impact in my business over the years, now it;s about going deeper and deeper and I truly value this content.

[@sir_afk]

What I'd give to be a fly on the wall as you process one of these ventures. I understand the concepts, it's the execution where I stumble. I'd love to see a video series where the audience is in the room as you convert a client problem into a solution and deliver.

[@thefutur]

One day we can do that.

[@sir_afk]

@@thefutur I'm really looking forward to it! Thanks for all you share. 👌👍

[@sir_afk]

@@thefutur Just received your newsletter regarding, Access to the Pro Group video archives with the library pass. Thanks for making my request a reality. 👍👌

[@ribe3434]

Strategy is the heart of everything done right.

[@MtZionMediaPro]

LOVE THIS! You're really doing such good work for us creatives for free! Thank you so much!! 🙏🏾💜

[@thekofiannan]

Just like we humans, to be successful one needs to OUTLINE goals, UNDERSTAND THEM, Map out the STEPS AND PROCESSES to achieve them, that's what we call a basic plan. Things won't always go according to plan but the most important part is the planned FRAMEWORK.

[@darkest_magnum]

Nice one there.

[@thekofiannan]

@@darkest_magnum thanks Samuel

[@socialsimodesign926]

That's a good strategy to grow and improve your creativity and your business 💯😊

[@qazwsx78ify]

One of my favorite stores “bait”

[@robandsammyfamily8737]

Yay, more long-form content!!

[@hukidesigns]

Thank you for sharing,this is amazing I have learnt a lot .

[@joepaquet4332]

This is a good one!

[@primeflux9682]

Thanks for sharing this Chris 😃💎🙏🏻

[@thefutur]

My pleasure

[@jdanielortega]

Where can I learn how to make strategy?

[@thefutur]

Go to the www.theFutur.com for more. we have a course on this.

[@ThisIsDonGeo]

Thanks. Great video

[@Xammydraws]

Thanks man

[@LEMON-BOY]

Would you mind if I made my own version of this video?

[@thefutur]

Sure

[@rhgraphics]

❤️

[@RoshanKumar-dd2rd]

Thanks for you guide bro Form india

[@jdee2095]

Awesome part is he's like it's not going to be very much money ya just $5,000 thats a ton of money to me lol

[@thefutur]

I’m used to working on six figure projects.

[@jdee2095]

@@thefuturwith your knowledge and style i can see why. Thank you and much appreciated. I'm not even into designing or marketing this is just straight up good business education that can be applied to anything. Thank you once again and I can't wait to turn my four figures into six with your knowledge

[@SikkiSweets]

Chris was able to get a $5000 project through his network when he wanted to shift from design to strategy. How many people have that kind of access and network? Goes back to the elite school he went to for that access so this story is heavily contingent on the network you are connected to.

[@thefutur]

in this story, a $5k project was meant to be an example of a low budget. at this point in my career, we were working on six figure projects. I only provide that for context. I know it sounds like a lot but this isn't an "elite" school thing.

[@corporatepimpin6505]

You mean that if I strategize, plan, and do research before taking action I will get better results?????? Wow, ground breaking 🤯 😂😂😂

[@thefutur]

funny guy

[@creatingdigitalassets]

Yes, Chris! This is what I keep trying to tell people who jump into design first

[@MarketingHarry]

Moving from cold to warm to hot lead, takes a deep understanding. Thanks for sharing what changes you decided to make back in 2013, so that you escaped the lower trend. In order to make a winning strategy, one should set goals, be aware of all challenges, gain knowledge of the customers, the brand, positioning and much more!

[@sava.designs]

Strategy is very important and it seems not everyone understand that importance! Well explained!

[@virakchhang]

Most people need to develop strategies for themselves (and or business) before offering it to others

[@aganovicamela]

This is amazing information - thank you!! I'm just opened a facial spa and this is going to be very useful :)

[@Dabu-Dabu]

this channel is sooo good. even though I have nothing to do with design I still benefit from those clips. can't believe this stuff is free :D

[@theboringuxer]

The less revisions part is something designers need to know more of. Just because you have goals and defined tasks, doesn't mean there will be fewer revisions when you show your digital product. With user testing (key features or even end to end), you will have more revisions because your product is now being validated, and this is part of the Agile process in UX, where you will have more revisions and it's done throughout the scope of the project. Pixel Perfect is at the Design System level, even then, DS's are still updated :D One key factor here, for those getting into UX Interaction Design, don't marry your design work. The feedback is to help guide your design to understand the users needs.

[@fazejane2613]

The more I watch the More I know how I can ask the right questions to my client

[@gabrielaugusto6001]

Amazing vídeo again thanks

[@miradesigns]

Now, I know the different between creativity and strategy. Thanks for sharing

[@alexakten]

the insane value to come out of every video you guys produce, can’t thank you enough! These things are applicable to many parts of life.

[@tlambiam]

Absolutely wonderfully informative and helpful insights. Thanks for sharing Chris!

[@Jeff-0621]

Wow applicable in so many parts of life. Clearly defined targets are better than shooting aimlessly! Motivated by the short about being stuck, now motivated to have a better defined target. It felt like my college business classes came flashing before my eyes and then some. Collated, organized, and simplified to be understood. And that’s another part of the genius… simplifying things that are more complex than it is presented, and still not lose the true essence of the message.

[@DiscoverMyBusiness]

Watch this video i nthe Gym - you really make overthink the strategy

[@thefutur]

Thank you

[@doctor-dan]

One year ago I came across your videos while surfing on KZbin, looking for answers on "how to deal with customer objections", such as I'll think about it, I'll let you know, I'll talk to my partner. Took me from making 400€ websites to charging 10 times more for strategy and brand design. When people ask me how I managed to pull this off my answer is easy: go ask Chris Do on his KZbin channel, it's his merit. Strategy and design thinking can help lots of professionals: from web design, to graphics design, branding, social media management, video making, photographers. Trust me, I'm one of them.

[@thefutur]

well done!

[@1ENIGMA]

Love this. Thank you for all that you do🙌🏼

[@joseph-the-seventh]

Do you offer courses for designers to improve their thinking about strategy as it relates to branding and design?

[@thefutur]

Yes. Core is a good step in that direction.

[@mschlosky1]

Hell yeah dude amazing video 🙏🏾

[@thefutur]

Thank you

[@socialsimodesign926]

Thank you for sharing from your own experience Chris 😊

[@thefutur]

My pleasure!

[@magnoid]

Great vid Chris (and Team!)

[@thefutur]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gbot94hitachi]

I've been figuring out why my group's business ain't flying off as we expected to. We have the portfolios (a small one if I say so) and skills to pull off the services we offer. Alas I think this is the one key ingredient we've been looking for (that we overlooked when creating the business).

[@llda]

Feedback: Shared this video with a someone...here is the feedback "This is good. Thanks man, I needed this" Many thanks for continually sharing words of wisdom

[@amsthe3rd]

Market awareness and expert planning are both invaluable. Application of these in our own dealings has yielded much insight and, quite frankly, business maturity before growth. Thanks for the breakdown, Chris!

[@GrgoPetrov]

He designs sandwiches!

[@philippearbenz1365]

Amazing video as always, been watching for years and by now I have my very own agency which is working great! Now a question I have, or more precisely a struggle we face when getting new clients is that they always seem to already know what they need, already one step too far so it usually is hard to tell them that maybe that is not even the right approach (i.e. change logo directly). How do you usually convince people to take a step back and get consulting first, that is actually being paid for?

[@thefutur]

you can cite examples of when this is beneficial to your other clients. that will help.

[@onarigeorgewill6377]

I love you guys

[@brandyspain7125]

Thank you.

[@rxlfe7177]

I'm a fashion designer but all of this applies to my industry so much as specially as someone that doesn't necessarily run a clothing brand but consults with other designers/brands it's been really helpful in having a better understanding better than business school ever did. it's helped me understand/think about certain things differently that I'm excited to apply all of this to the brand I hope to start hopefully soon, not particularly this video but the teachings I've received from multiple videos especially the marketing and branding ones. thank you

[@mukhtaralhosni937]

Cc

[@llundber]

Great points tho the designs look like basic templates.

[@thefutur]

Thank you for the feedback

[@drrMonManon]

For me it was good I just want to focus on the presented points, not on any kind of eye candy.