10 Business Tips From Designer Bill Drenttel

Esteemed designer Bill Drenttel recently passed away, and Michael Beirut shared this text from a 1991 presentation in a post on Design Observer (now defunct).

The talk was titled “Everything I know about business in one minute.” It resonated with me and I hope it does with you also.

• Focusing on making a partnership work is more profitable than focusing on making money.
• Love your employees more than you love your clients. 
• The best new business is your current business.
• Price projects by asking yourself what the client’s lawyer would charge.
• It’s better to be hired for your work than for your price. 
• When it comes to getting paid, the first of the month is better than the thirtieth. 
• Making money off mechanicals, printing and computers turns your business into a commodity. 
• The books in your library are more important than the numbers on your balance sheet. 
• In order to love your work, take vacations.
• Power, in business, comes from sharing money and valuing love. 

via Daring Fireball