|
|
|
|
Testimonials
"I just downloaded the new
TimeFox widget for OS X
and wanted to let you guys know that it's AWESOME! Another great time saving device to enhance the already spectacular time saving/tracking solution that you offer."
Ronnie Roper
One Design
|
|
|
|
"We absolutely love your program, it has just been a blessing."
Lynn Kelly
Marketing Leverage, Inc.
|
|
|
|
"Your product has revolutionized our billing process and saved us countless hours of data-entry and frustration. My only regret is that we didn't start using it years ago."
Susan May
intrinsic design
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FunctionFox is committed to helping small creative companies improve their business. TimeFox, our simple time and project tracking system, helps small advertising, design, marketing and public relations firms manage their business and do more with their valuable time.
|
|
|
|
|
Feature Article: Small Creative Businesses Optimistic Heading Into 2009
FunctionFox Webinar Series: Partnership: Choosing the right person to expand your design business with
Creative Resources: Finding That Balance Between Life and Work
Creativity Spotlight: Complete Your Next Project With 100% Wind Energy
Contact FunctionFox
|
|
|
|
|
Small Creative Businesses Optimistic Heading Into 2009
Survey results from FunctionFox About Time Newsletter readers
Seventy-two percent of small businesses in the creative services sector expect revenues to grow or remain stable despite the economic downturn. Among the other optimistic findings, a solid majority expects to maintain or increase staff size and more than one-third see strong positioning as their greatest opportunity in 2009.
The FunctionFox Creative Industry Outlook survey was designed to determine the mind-set of creative business executives with 25 employees or less as they prepare for 2009. Respondents were asked to answer questions relating to projected revenue, staffing, challenges, and opportunities.
"These small companies are finding innovative ways to operate more efficiently than ever," said Mary-Lynn Bellamy-Willms, CEO of Suburbia Advertising and Founder of FunctionFox. "In a time when many businesses are cutting back, it seems this nimble sector is energized. Their strategies include a focus on new leads and clients, micro-targeted marketing, and providing clients with new solutions using Web technologies."
Highlights of the survey (charts available in the full survey report
here):
-- 40% of firms expect revenue growth in 2009
-- 32% of firms expect similar revenues to 2008
-- 23% of firms expect to increase their staff in 2009
-- 61% of firms expect to maintain current staff size
-- 33% of firms feel positive about their abilities to refocus their approach and positioning
-- 20% sees new media, such as social networks, as their greatest opportunity in 2009
Other highlights: of the challenges facing these organizations, the most significant is finding new business. Respondents gave a range of answers when asked about opportunities, with some noting that the collapse of larger firms provides them with the unprecedented chance to take market share. Other opportunities include:
-- "establishing our position as an expert in a specialized field"
-- "social networking and ideation"
-- "[be] leaner and cleaner, both in-house and for clients"
-- "moving into developing markets"
-- "opportunity to bring in better talent without an increase in payroll"
This positive outlook in the midst of a recession was explained by one respondent as: "We're looking at the downturn in the economy as a potential boost to the outsourced marketing industry. More of our clients are looking to scale back on marketing staff in favor of strategically timed, expert support."
To download your complimentary copy of the survey results, go to
http://www.functionfox.com/creative-industry-outlook-2009/
The survey, deployed November 16 through December 3, 2008, was completed by 209 highly targeted professionals in design, advertising, public relations, web as well as marketing communications in the US and Canada. Respondents were invited to participate by email as part of the November 2008 issue of the
FunctionFox About Time Newsletter. The survey was delivered online. Some answers were also broken down by region. (For charts, visit
FunctionFox Creative Industry Outlook 2009).
For more articles and resources, see
www.functionfox.com/resources.html
|
|
|
|
|
Partnership: Choosing the right person to expand your design business with
Presented By Mark Busse and Ben Garfinkel, Managing Partners, Industrial Brand
Thursday February 12, 2009
2 PM Eastern | 11AM Pacific
Free 30 minute webinar with optional 15 minute Q+A following
 |
Choosing the right partner to expand your design business can be just the thing you need to survive and grow, especially in these uncertain economic times. Creating that partnership can also be fraught with complexity and the best solution may turn out to be going it solo after all. There is no right answer, just a real need to cover all the angles. Join as design firm principals and business partners Mark Busse and Ben Garfinkel share their perspectives and advice for design professionals considering a business partner, and learn from their personal and professional experience. |
February 2009
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Finding That Balance Between Work and Life
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein
Find out what you love then create space in your life to do more of it. This book by Leo Babauta will help you do less, while getting more done, and focus on things that mean the most to you.
If you do not have the time to read the book, start with the short article at
http://zenhabits.net/2008/11/how-to-find-that-elusive-balance-between-work-and-life/
|
 |
Success Tips for Small Startup Businesses
Most small creative shops have fewer staff and resources, and less startup capital, and time than they need, to compete effectively with bigger agencies. Learn how you can do more with less in 2009 with
HOW TO: Simplify
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Complete Your Next Project With 100% Wind Energy
Marc Stress and the team at
stressdesign
in New York are offering up a new logo for all your
projects that are completed with 100% or part wind power. The team at stressdesign was
working on a print project completed with 100% wind power with one of their environmentally
responsible clients. They came up with the stand-alone symbol that can be downloaded
their site. In January they launched
http://www.windpowerlogo.com
as the central clearing house for the symbol.
|
Read the full story at
http://www.stressdesign.com/news/2008/11/wind-power-logo/
|
|
|
|
|
For a TimeFox Demo, go to:
www.functionfox.com/demo
To arrange a guided tour of TimeFox, please send your request to:
info@functionfox.com
To order a TimeFox subscription, go to:
www.functionfox.com/purchase
If you would like your company to be featured in a TimeFox
newsletter, on our website or in our promotional package,
please send your request to:
info@functionfox.com
You can opt out of the About Time Newsletter at:
www.functionfox.com/newsletter/no_thanks.asp
|
|
|
|
|
