An interesting thread on QBN about developing a business model when the commodity you are selling is something as fluid and indeterminate as creativity. The consensus is that designers generally lack in their business knowledge, often shootin’ from the hip when it comes to running a firm.

What about *our* industry? [I am saying "our" while working for a trader? yes, I do, I belong here, I guess]. I mean basically everyone, who is in touch with intangible goods, creative services like advertising, photography, video production/editing/FX, copy writing, etc. What is the business model of BBDO/JWT/Ogilvy? Or maybe someone can trace down the thinking of the people, who started these companies? What was the plan of the founders of YouWorkForThem, Pentagram, MK12, Brand New School? Is it “draw, sell for 3$, draw more”? Is it “do a project for a client, get paid, do another project”? Or maybe “get a client with big budget, get another client with big budget, get three more clients with small budgets”? How do all the supppliers fit in this model, i.e. an ad agency commissioning a commercial video to a creative boutique, which in turn hires video FX company, production company, model agency and cattering service on location?

Read more HERE. We will be presenting some possible solutions to the business-model-f0r-creatives problem in DBR Issue 2 and beyond.