Choosing a creative services partner

Versatility

Consider the future

Be sure to find out what range of projects the firm has been involved in. Do they have the knowledge, experience and resourcefulness to address your current and future needs, or will you have to deal with several firms in an effort to receive exactly what your organisation requires?

In other words, try to determine whether they are capable of handling any immediate and future requirements that your organisation might have. This will save you having to change to another firm down the track and begin the process all over again.

History

How’s the track record?

Are you sure that the selected firm will still be in existence in a year or so? It can be a frustrating and costly waste of the time and effort when you've invested to build a beneficial relationship with a provider, only to find that they have closed their doors the following year.

Around 75% of businesses will no longer be in business after 5 years, 85% no longer exist after 10 years. What you need to decide is whether you are looking for a long-term business ‘partner’ or a cheap, quick fix?

Long-term relationships with key suppliers can benefit your organisation in many ways, including a better understanding of your business and your needs, more efficient communications and more effective creative solutions based on a history of projects and scenarios. And consider staff turnover - in a world where “3 years in one place is too long”, is the person who grows to know and understand your business going to stick around?

Quality solutions

Now, not the heyday

Can your chosen graphic design firm produce the same quality of work today, as the work they are showing you? And can they achieve this quality with your budget? Be sure to ask to see recent work. They may have had a great designer working for them 10 years ago, but what quality are they producing now?

Try not to be fooled by slick sales spiels and expensive sales presentations - good salespeople aren’t always good problem solvers. Look for substance in what is said and in the solutions produced. And watch out for large agencies who proudly show you their top-end work produced on massive budgets by their “A” team, then assign their “C” team to your “unimportant” project. Ever wondered why your solution wasn’t as good as what you were shown.

Does the quality of their work align with how you want your customers to perceive your business or your products? Can they deliver the level of targeted design and visual quality you need to differentiate and position your business or product appropriately? If you're like many business people – not a “visual” person - you may want to ask a design-savvy acquaintance to help you with your choice. That way you’re amking a decision based on the quality of the work, not the quality of the sales presentation.

Clients

Adapting to your industry

Ask about their clients. Look for firms with a broad range of businesses and industries within their portfolio. If you are an SME, don't be fooled by a list of big names. It usually takes more skill and creativity ability to brand a small company than it does large companies with huge marketing budgets. Assess the quality of design relative to project budgets.

Integrity and customer-focus

Does the business model support the talk

Who is overseeing your project? Are you dealing with a sales rep who doesn't really understand business let alone the design and manufacturing processes involved in your project? Are they focused on making sales rather than building your business?

Is the firm more focused on selling you additional products or services than they are on understanding your business needs and achieving real results? Look for a firm that emphasises the importance of developing an understanding of your business, your customers and your marketing objectives.

Does the firm have long term relationships with their clients? This can often be an indication of quality, reliability and customer-focus - traits which are incredibly beneficial when dealing with any creative service provider.

Management and quality control

Chaos or reliability

Try to get a feel for how your selected firms run their businesses. Do they have a dedicated production manager, or are designers trying to manage your projects? Does the firm pay close attention to details? Are they thorough?

Do they have quality control and data back-up systems in place? Will they have your artwork files in 5 years time, or will they have experienced "a system meltdown" resulting in your files being "destroyed"? It is important to consider the management of the firm because it usually a direct indication of reliability and quality. A well-managed design firm will always deliver on time and on budget.

Expertise

Needs-based service offering

Ask about the scope of services they provide. Can they produce what you need now, as well as what you may need in the future. A firm with a broad range of in-house services and expertise can save you a lot of time, money and frustration! They can take you where you need to go – no starting all over again with another provider!

Capacity

On time, every time

Ensure that your selected creative provider has the staff to deliver the reliability and volume of work that your business demands. You don't want to be left high and dry when you have an urgent project. The size of the firm needs to fit your marketing requirements. It’s naïve to expect a one- or two-man show to deliver the goods every time.

Technical knowhow

Practically minded creativity

We know you want creative solutions, but the associated technical and manufacturing processes, and their inherent pitfalls, are so often where the wheels fall off. If the firm has limited technical savvy, experience or knowledge, then so-called ‘unforseen’ problems, delays or costs are inevitable. Bullet-proof reliable service demands the technical knowhow that experience brings.