Page 14 - Designing Ways 287

IID

IID update,

February 2025.

ast week, we hosted a fantastic event
at Roche Bobois in Cape Town,
Land I must say, it was one of my
favourites. Our guests, Robyn Self from
PlanItDesign and Jeremy from SOURCE
IBA, shared invaluable business strategies
to help identify and seize opportunities
in today's competitive landscape. This
Q&A highlights key insights from both
Robyn and Jeremy on thriving in a rapidly
evolving market. Their advice underscores
the importance of adaptability, strategic
risk-taking, and strengthening internal 1. Diversifying revenue streams – For grow our bank of experience and
structures. A special thank you to Roche example, we no longer rely solely knowledge which is essentially our
Bobois for making this event such a on large retail projects; instead, collective team.
tremendous success we’ve expanded into varied design
disciplines, and even experimental Robyn: Three things immediately stand
Q: What advice would you offer to concept spaces. out:
entrepreneurs who want to build 2. Leveraging technology – AI-driven 1. Scalability – Can this opportunity
resilience while staying innovative? design tools, virtual walk-throughs, lead to long-term business rather
and material innovation help us stay than a one-off project?
Jeremy: Don’t work for free as you ahead. 2. Brand Alignment – Does it align
devalue your expertise in the eyes of the 3. Cultivating strategic partnerships – with our strengths and design
client. The way we look at business is how Collaborating with key partners and philosophy?
you would look at an investment portfolio. working with notable retail clients 3. Market Readiness – Is the market
Have a long-term plan and invest your allows us to position ourselves as ready for this shift? If not, can we
time and energy in different markets. industry leaders, rather than just create that demand through thought
For example, when the local economy service providers. The key is to adapt leadership and innovative execution?
in one country is down it is often up in while maintaining your core identity
another country. Try establishing yourself Q: Running your own business requires
in markets where you can earn in USD$ Q: When you recognise new opportunities courage, especially when taking risks on
or Euros for your business, what are the key factors unconventional opportunities within
that capture your attention? your industry. Could you share an
Robyn: Resilience in our industry example of a risk you took, the challenges
comes from a willingness to evolve and Jeremy: Four boxes we always try to you faced, and the outcome?
an ability to anticipate client needs before tick, or at least tick two to three are:
they even articulate them. One of the key 1. Will we learn and grow in our Jeremy: We were recommended for as
aspects of this is: personal capacities. the ID consultants for four luxury lodge
2. Will it be rewarding from a design projects in Tanzania with a total bed count
perspective. of 350 beds. When we asked the client for the
3. Is it aligned with our Brand Strategy. architectural drawings we discovered that
4. Will it be profitable and enable us to they had not appointed any consultants yet.
pay higher salaries and attract and We then offered to assemble a full project
team and submit a bid with ourselves being
the lead consultants and sub-contracting the
rest of the client team. We assembled a team
and we were one of three companies that
bid on the project. Our bid was successful.
The challenges we faced were:

14 Issue 287 • dw