Tues 22nd June, 10:30-12:00

What does it take to successfully communicate design’s capabilities to clients in the boardroom? How do you truly engage senior clients and persuade them to go with the big ideas? What qualities should you be demonstrating in a boardroom to win the day?

Design leaders today need to be able to confidently communicate the strategic value of design in a language that resonates at the very of heart of business. But more than that, they have to be accountable for outcomes and gain the trust that they will deliver what’s promised. Design can make amazing things happen in business, but only if you’re granted the opportunity. So how can you, as the person responsible for growing that opportunity, make it happen? Transforming your ability to hold truly authoritative conversations at board level, we will explore how to design winning arguments that influence, persuade and unlock new thinking and underpin a genuine belief in what design can do.

This workshop covers

  • Why we all want to play in the boardroom

    And why it’s so hard to get in there.

  • The crucial differences between middle-floor and top-floor clients

    What we need to change when we’re in the boardroom.

  • Consulting Dos & Don’ts in the boardroom

    Sidestep these common errors.

  • Presenting Dos & Don’ts in the boardroom

    Avoid these easy to make mistakes.

  • A 10-point plan for designing ‘winning arguments’

    How do we win the day in the boardroom?

You will gain

  • Thought-provoking pointers to help you discover a new approach to crafting a belief in design.

  • Practical tips to ensure your creative ideas are adopted and real change happens.

  • Mastery over the language of the boardroom.

  • The confidence and know-how to succeed at a new level.

Meet your trainer

Ralph Ardill

Ralph is an internationally recognised independent expert on brand transformation, culture change and experience design. He is also a respected writer and speaker with over 30 years experience in the creative industries on both client and agency side. Today Ralph’s passion is for harnessing everything he’s learned from what he calls his “30-year apprenticeship” to work with ambitious corporate clients and design businesses who are looking to beat the 70% odds against successful change to transform their brands, businesses and people. In doing so Ralph works as a board-level instigator for change bringing his highly pragmatic and personal fusion of management consulting, brand strategy, experience design and change management to help his clients orchestrate and deliver accelerated brand-led, people-centred and design-inspired transformation and growth across the total experience – inside and out - of their businesses.

Keen to get all the new business know-how under your belt?

This workshop is the final part in a five-part monthly training track on new business. Book the full course of five for discounted rates.

Pricing options

DBA members receive a discount off the standard price. To talk to us about joining the DBA, email membership@dba.org.uk. Prices include VAT. If you're buying from outside the UK please select the price without VAT.

Previous feedback for Ralph

A very informative and thought provoking presentation that has left me inspired and keen to implement in my business.

Simon de Kretser, Partner, FdK Design Consultants

Extremely insightful and very well structured; you walk away with a clear methodology.

Antoine Gandy, Managing/Design Director, Point 6