June « 2011 « News & Blog | Association of Professional Design Firms (APDF)

APDF Exchange: Why Business Models Matter

June 27th, 2011

Dr. Naomi Stanford (www.naomistanford.com) is an expert organization design, innovation and culture consultant and adjunct professor at the California College of the Arts. At Naomi’s presentation at APDF’s Exchange in San Francisco, Naomi shared with the membership the importance of your business model.

Naomi Stanford, Organization Design Consultant

Naomi began by sharing that the phrase “business model” is used a lot, and just like the word “culture” - it means a lot of different things to different people. The real challenge is getting it right…if that’s possible! Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 13% [?]

Tags: business models, Corporate Culture-Getting it Right, Naomi Stanford, organization design
Posted in APDF News | No Comments »

APDF Exchange: Next 10 Years from “Beyond-Economics Perspective”

June 24th, 2011

Hazel Henderson, Founder of Ethical Markets Media and a world-renowned futurist and evolutionary economist shared a different perspective with us at the recent APDF Exchange in San Francisco.

Hazel Henderson, Ethical Markets Media

Hazel encouraged us, over the next ten years, to look at metrics not included in financial and economic information. For example, corporate portfolios and pension funds don’t look at risks that come from the environment and many other trends. Hazel also shared that environmental, social and corporate governance should be bullish for our industry – because of the design revolution from top to bottom. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 14% [?]

Tags: APDF Exchange, Calvert Group, Ethical Markets Media, evolutionary economist, futurist, Green Transition Scoreboard, Hazel Henderson, Net GNP, Transforming Finance
Posted in APDF News | No Comments »

APDF Exchange: The Future is Your Decision

June 23rd, 2011

At the recent APDF Exchange in San Francisco, we invited Alan Beaulieu, Economist from ITR (Institute for Trend Research) to share his economic outlook with us. Alan is also the co-author of Make Your Move, a book on how to increase profits through business cycle changes.

Alan began his presentation by sharing that the management that got you here isn’t going to get you there. You can’t get stuck in what you were doing. He also reminded us that we’ve been here before. Despite the naysayers that profess doom and gloom – it’s all a re-cycle. The trends can guide us!

Alan Beaulieu, ITR

While the economy is not as friendly as we would like, ITR predicts that we will like 2012; the economy will flatten in 2013; there will be another recession in 2014 (mild to medium); 2015, 2016 and 2017 are really good years; recession in 2018 and 2019 significant recession. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 13% [?]

Tags: Alan Beaulieu, APDF Exchange, Creating Competitive Advantages, economic outlook, ITR, Jaynie Smith, Smart Advantage
Posted in APDF News | No Comments »

APDF Exchange: Spontaneous Invention

June 17th, 2011

After a very energetic introduction session on improv, Jon Mann and Prarthana Panchal (Kinetic UX) led the Exchange attendees through additional examples of how to use improv to support brainstorming efforts within their own firms. Additionally, an APDF member panel, featuring Gavin Kelly of Artefact, Scott MacInnes of Teague and Steve Portigal of Portigal Consulting, shared improv brainstorming successes within their firms.

Some of the key learnings the group shared include: Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 15% [?]

Tags: APDF Exchange, Artefact, brainstorming, Improv, Kinetic UX, Portigal Consulting, Teague
Posted in APDF News | No Comments »

APDF Exchange Improv Kick-off Session

June 16th, 2011

APDF’s recent Exchange in San Francisco began with a fun and engaging improv session that built upon the basics learned at last year’s Exchange. Rather than working our way around the room, making the “standard” meeting introductions, APDF enlisted Chris Miller and Ann Swanberg of LifePlays to kick off our first session a bit differently.

Chris and Ann from LifePlays Get Things Started!

While in a large circle, each person had to “improv” by introducing themselves by name - along with a unique action. The idea was NOT to plan what your action was – because then, you’re not following one of the key aspects of improv – remaining OPEN. The “learning” was to, as in improv, trust life. Something will come – something will happen. This got the group warmed-up for two days of sessions and made meeting new people easy! Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 15% [?]

Tags: brainstorming, Exchange, Improv, LifePlays, yes and
Posted in APDF News | 1 Comment »

APDF Elects 2011/12 Board of Directors

June 15th, 2011

At the 2011 APDF Annual Meeting during the APDF Exchange in San Francisco, the membership unanimously approved the 2011/2012 APDF Officers and Board of Directors.

The APDF Board’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the Association fulfills its mission and delivers on the Association’s promise to the Membership. The APDF Board is a volunteer position. In addition to steering their own firms through these challenging times, the APDF Board plays a central role in ensuring the ongoing viability and success of the APDF. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 15% [?]

Tags: Altitude, APDF Board Members; business resources for design firm leaders, Daeduls, LaunchPoint, LPK, Methodologie, Peopledesign, Pop Art, Teague
Posted in APDF News | No Comments »