As Co-founder and Strategy Director, Mike’s favourite part of the job is building relationships and nurturing opportunities. Today, it’s his turn in the hot seat…
How does the agency’s mission-led purpose and values shape the work you do with clients?
It is critical that the work we do matters. This means collaborating with clients who are doing important things and contributing to the world. Being mission-led is also about firm focus on people and being ready for the future.
The development of creative confidence in people (and their organisation) is a vital part of this. And I think the fact that this crosses over with our passion for education really inspires our clients.
How do you see the design industry evolving in the next 5 years, and how is your agency positioning itself to adapt?
The inevitable rise of AI will have an impact on client and audience expectations - both in terms of what gets delivered and the process of getting there. We’re already building AI into how we do things, and it’s exciting.
Importantly though, what I want to see alongside this is a greater demand for human intelligence, speaking with passion and placing people and planet at the heart of decision making.
What misbeliefs do you find potential clients often have about what you do?
People don’t always understand how deeply we operate within a client’s organisation and the long-term nature of our thinking. Our work is all about confidence and the future. We connect design with operations, employees with strategies, research with technologies…and always seek ways to go beyond the issue at hand.
If you had one piece of advice for someone considering starting their own agency, what would it be?
Your business should be an extension of who you are as a person. That means being prepared to stand up for what you believe in and being confident in doing things your way - even if the industry labels it (or does it) differently. In the end, clients will come to you because of your outlook and ethos as well as your abilities.