How Agile is Your Design Business?

Abstract

More and more, the ability to respond to change divides successful companies and failures. Nokia's spectacular fall from glory has made that loud and clear. In contrast, IBM responded to change by transforming itself into a potent solutions company. Change is a powerful and unavoidable double-edged sword: a huge risk in business, but also a great opportunity if one knows how to handle it. So what is organizational agility and how is it relevant to the design business? Is your design firm an Explorer, a Watcher, or a Butler? In this article the agility and culture of design consultancies is assessed across seven parameters.