Saying yes / saying no 

Why would you say no to new work? Does having firm principles increase your influence?
How important is chemistry? Do principles go out of the window because you need the work
or want the money? 

Designer Breakfasts asks three eminent design principals where they draw the line. 

Cheryl Giovannoni, president, Global KCR’s, Landor.
Clients: Diageo, Gulf Air, Government of Hong Kong

Sophie Thomas, founding director, Thomas Matthews, Design Council council member.
Clients: Greengaged, Shell springboard, Design Products collection

Tim Beard, partner, Bibliothèque.
Clients: D&AD, Motorola, Nike

How can you say no to this event? 

Future events in 2011

Following our focus on value, return on inspiration, professionalising design businesses and leadership in 2010, our theme for 2011 is Telling the truth. Bonnie Dean (council member, Design Council) told us last May, "Designers uncover the truth. In most businesses people don't tell the truth. What's more, telling the truth at the top is the hardest because the chief executive has so much invested in a product. A designer can tell them it is boring, but also how it can change. If you can do this in a way that can be heard, you can become a trusted adviser which is where you want to be." 

2011 Designer Breakfasts 

Breakfasts in 2011 on Telling the truth feature:

Wally Olins -  How do designers become more influential and make more money? – 26 May
Tickets for sale here http://designerbreakfastsmay11.eventbrite.com 

Richard Seymour, Seymourpowell – 23 June

Think Public – 14 July 

August – closed

To be announced – 22 September 

To be announced – 27 October 

Blair Enns – 24 November

To round off this 2011 series of 10 breakfasts, we are publishing 10 critical responses by writers’
group 26. At our Christmas party, you’ll get a sneak preview and a glass of bubbly – December
(date and location to be announced).

Save these dates! Check our website for a link to buy tickets nearer the event.

Be Brilliant at Business in 12 weeks.

Where do you want your business to be by July 2011? 

Do you want: 

• Clarity on your direction and message? 

• Supreme confidence in business development and negotiations? 

• Time to spend on the important things in business (and life!) 

• Support and accountability that gets you results quicker? 

Owners and directors of small and medium design businesses — you've told us what you need for your business, and we've created the programme to deliver it! Starting on 27 April, Designer Breakfasts, in association with Through the Forest Mentor-Coaching, brings you an innovative programme of London-based LIVE experiential workshops to help you boost business confidence, strategy and performance. 

http://designerbreakfasts.com/files/Be-Brilliant-at-Business-22-02-11.pdf 

Modules run 8am - 10.45am so that you can be back at your desk before lunch. Save these dates: 27 Apr, 11 and 19 May, 8 and 22 Jun, 8 Jul.  

If you need more practical details and what we will cover, email liz@throughtheforest.co.uk. 

Connecting tutors to the design world initiative

As a response to the UK Design Alliance — the Design Council's network of networks umbrella - initiative to connect and involve colleges and universities with the design industry, we will be offering 2 free places for design tutors to come to each monthly Designer Breakfast. If you are a tutor who would like to attend a breakfast or would like to recommend one please email mike@abrahams.uk.com and put ‘Tutor ticket’ in the subject line. 

Stand-by tickets for students

We will be offering stand-by tickets for students for £5. If there are free places still available two days before the breakfast, students should email mike@abrahams.uk.com and put ‘Student ticket’ in the subject line.

Missed previous Designer Breakfasts? Listen to, or see them, online.

You can catch up with the thoughts of Bonnie Dean, Mat Hunter, Glenn Tutssel, Ben Terrett, Jonathan Porritt and others at http://designerbreakfasts.net. Designer Breakfasts have recorded recent events and you can hear our podcasts online. We are now videoing events so that designers outside London can benefit more fully.

Got a good story?

If you have a piece of news or an offer designers can't resist, let us know. We'll consider it for our next newsletter. Mail us: events@designerbreakfasts.net 

Designer Breakfasts is the hub for people who own or work in small creative businesses. It stages monthly events around the themes of entrepreneurship, co-ownership and co-creation (new models of engagement), selling creative thinking, not just outputs, and taking designers' vision to SMEs. Designer Breakfasts was established in 2005 by design businesses Abrahams and Tatham Design, and communications specialists The Ministry of Love. Visit www.designerbreakfasts.net for more information.

Save future breakfast dates in your diary

Many of you tell us that often you can't come to a breakfast because there's already something in your diary. Why not save breakfast dates? They are the fourth Thursday of each month (except August when we close, and December when we'll have a party at an earlier date). The time is always 8 for 8.30 and the venue is always BBH.