How to Grow Your Business Without Compromising on Quality
Find out how to maintain a high standard of work while your design business develops
HouzzUK
5 August 2019
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When you’re trying to scale your business, it can be tricky to keep the balance between taking on more clients and maintaining the quality of your work. Check out these tips to find ways of increasing your workload without decreasing the service you provide.
Professional advice from: Sacha Berger of Honey Bee Interiors; Eva Byrne of Houseology; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes; Lior Brosh of Brosh Architects
Professional advice from: Sacha Berger of Honey Bee Interiors; Eva Byrne of Houseology; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes; Lior Brosh of Brosh Architects
Choose jobs wisely
Don’t feel under pressure to take on every job that comes your way – it’s much better in the long term to focus on projects where you know you can do a good job. “I’m careful about what size and how many jobs I take on, so I have time to concentrate fully on one at a time,” Sacha Berger says.
Eva Byrne also recommends being selective in terms of the work you take on, as quality versus quantity is key. Her advice is to stay focused on your target market and don’t be afraid to graciously turn down work that doesn’t suit, or about which you have a bad feeling.
“Being honest is very important,” Peter Reader adds. “If it will be a month before you can start, then state this upfront.” He explains that clients who really value you as a designer will wait. On the other hand, if someone wants a rush job, the whole process is likely to be stressful and compromised.
Don’t feel under pressure to take on every job that comes your way – it’s much better in the long term to focus on projects where you know you can do a good job. “I’m careful about what size and how many jobs I take on, so I have time to concentrate fully on one at a time,” Sacha Berger says.
Eva Byrne also recommends being selective in terms of the work you take on, as quality versus quantity is key. Her advice is to stay focused on your target market and don’t be afraid to graciously turn down work that doesn’t suit, or about which you have a bad feeling.
“Being honest is very important,” Peter Reader adds. “If it will be a month before you can start, then state this upfront.” He explains that clients who really value you as a designer will wait. On the other hand, if someone wants a rush job, the whole process is likely to be stressful and compromised.
Pace yourself
When the number of jobs you take on starts to grow, it can be tempting to speed up your work in order to fit everything in. Of course, it’s important to get projects finished on time, but it’s counterproductive to rush a job and compromise on quality.
A much more effective strategy is to be realistic about how long a job will take and to communicate this to your client. Peter recommends you work at a pace at which you know you can deliver quality and don’t be pressured to cut corners.
Check out Houzz Pro, our business management platform for designers and renovation professionals.
When the number of jobs you take on starts to grow, it can be tempting to speed up your work in order to fit everything in. Of course, it’s important to get projects finished on time, but it’s counterproductive to rush a job and compromise on quality.
A much more effective strategy is to be realistic about how long a job will take and to communicate this to your client. Peter recommends you work at a pace at which you know you can deliver quality and don’t be pressured to cut corners.
Check out Houzz Pro, our business management platform for designers and renovation professionals.
Focus on service
While the quality of your workmanship will be important to clients, it’s equally vital to focus on a high standard of customer service. Peter, for example, stresses that although designing a lovely garden is essential, it’s equally important for him to help guide his clients through the journey.
This includes actively listening to them during the design phase, supporting them through the build process, and keeping up an excellent level of communication throughout.
During a project, difficulties and tensions can arise and the designer can play a vital role in keeping things on track for all parties. “Having clients who not only love their new garden, but trust in you as a designer and person makes for good ongoing referrals,” Peter says.
Lior Brosh recommends delegating work that’s not directly related to the design, so you can spend more time creating a relationship with the client.
While the quality of your workmanship will be important to clients, it’s equally vital to focus on a high standard of customer service. Peter, for example, stresses that although designing a lovely garden is essential, it’s equally important for him to help guide his clients through the journey.
This includes actively listening to them during the design phase, supporting them through the build process, and keeping up an excellent level of communication throughout.
During a project, difficulties and tensions can arise and the designer can play a vital role in keeping things on track for all parties. “Having clients who not only love their new garden, but trust in you as a designer and person makes for good ongoing referrals,” Peter says.
Lior Brosh recommends delegating work that’s not directly related to the design, so you can spend more time creating a relationship with the client.
Get your team on board
Growing your business often involves taking on staff, which means trusting others to carry out work you’d usually do yourself. It’s key, therefore, to hire people you feel will work to your own high standards.
However, it’s also important to create the right environment for your employees to thrive. Positive feedback, good training and a respectful environment will all create a culture that should motivate staff to produce high-quality work.
Lior suggests you surround yourself with positive people who share your values and focus on building trust. Eva also highlights the value of working with the best-quality contractors and suppliers.
Growing your business often involves taking on staff, which means trusting others to carry out work you’d usually do yourself. It’s key, therefore, to hire people you feel will work to your own high standards.
However, it’s also important to create the right environment for your employees to thrive. Positive feedback, good training and a respectful environment will all create a culture that should motivate staff to produce high-quality work.
Lior suggests you surround yourself with positive people who share your values and focus on building trust. Eva also highlights the value of working with the best-quality contractors and suppliers.
Manage your time
When you’re juggling projects, it’s vital to organise your schedule effectively, so you can focus your energies efficiently. Lior recommends you work according to your own natural rhythms – identifying the time of day when you’re most creative and productive and blocking out this time to be deliberate and deliver.
It’s also important to decide which tasks need immediate attention and which can be left until later. “I make a list of things to accomplish every day and prioritise the most important subjects to be dealt with,” Lior says.
Eva recommends devising a way to easily repeat those jobs you do often by creating templates for recurring tasks, client communication and even design details.
When you’re juggling projects, it’s vital to organise your schedule effectively, so you can focus your energies efficiently. Lior recommends you work according to your own natural rhythms – identifying the time of day when you’re most creative and productive and blocking out this time to be deliberate and deliver.
It’s also important to decide which tasks need immediate attention and which can be left until later. “I make a list of things to accomplish every day and prioritise the most important subjects to be dealt with,” Lior says.
Eva recommends devising a way to easily repeat those jobs you do often by creating templates for recurring tasks, client communication and even design details.
Be upfront about budget
A vital ingredient for high-quality work is ensuring you have ample resources. Be realistic about how much the work will cost and communicate this honestly to the customer.
“Agree a fee that allows you to dedicate the resources necessary to achieve the standard of work you aspire to,” Eva says.
She also advises you agree a payment schedule with the client, so you can work out how to allocate resources at different stages of each project.
Tell us…
Are you trying to grow your business? Have you managed to maintain a balance between quantity and quality? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
A vital ingredient for high-quality work is ensuring you have ample resources. Be realistic about how much the work will cost and communicate this honestly to the customer.
“Agree a fee that allows you to dedicate the resources necessary to achieve the standard of work you aspire to,” Eva says.
She also advises you agree a payment schedule with the client, so you can work out how to allocate resources at different stages of each project.
Tell us…
Are you trying to grow your business? Have you managed to maintain a balance between quantity and quality? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Great insights. It is also important to keep the clients updated in case of delays that may arise especially during the pandemic season when logistical delays have become rampant.
Very useful tips, thank you!
We are currently growing more as a showroom, workroom and interiors. But we had to put on hold the remodeling of the showroom for now as the we are just too busy with orders and interiors.
A blessing in deed which means we have to hire more staff.
I've been trying to delegate some of my drafting work for a while and finding it very difficult to find reliable help with the right level of experience and expertise. It's a challenge!