Thinking.

Why running a creative business is unlike any other. And what to do about it.

Traditional business thinking doesn't fit.

Have you ever talked with a business owner in a different industry and heard yourself say:

"That may be true, but in a creative business, it's different..."

And you are right. Because running a creative business is unlike running any other type of business.

We don't have inventory. We never create the same thing twice. We sell subjectivity. And our work isn't done until the client is "happy"... or we run out of time.

What sort of strange industry is this? And what formula empowers creative companies to thrive in it?

The good news: the best way to deal with the future is to create it. And it just so happens, you are in the creating business.

YOUR 2 AM ISSUES

What's the formula for success? There are 7 of them.

Unlike a conventional business, as a creative company matures it masters seven different areas of business. These areas are called the 7 Ingredients™.

This is how it all stacks up. And now you know what's been keeping you up at night.

001

Creative

Naïveté: When you started your company, you thought this was the only ingredient required.

002

Entrepreneurship

One part risk-taking and another part solution-making: Bringing together needs and resources to create exceptional value.

003

Production

Getting the work done: On time, on budget, and on the mark, every time.

004

Sales

Seizing opportunities: Building relationships and sharing expertise.

005

Finance

Gaining visibility: Influence and control over the decision points that create your future.

006

Marketing

Nurturing: Cultivating the fields and planting the seeds for future sales harvesting.

007

Operations

The oil between the gears: Each Ingredient meshing smoothly with all the others.

Seasons of the creative COMPANY

How your studio grows.

Potential Growth
Standard Progression
Starting
7i: Creative
Emerging
7i: Entrepreneurship
7I: Production
Thriving
7i: Sales
7i: Finance
Maturing
7i: Marketing
7i: Operations
STARTUP COMPANY
self-managing COMPANY

CONSULTANTS & ADVISORS

Tim Thompson
Founder & Consultant
Joel Pilger
Global Consultant
Jason Fletcher
Advisor
Matt Taylor
Advisor
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