How has Globalisation affected your business? Lecture by Simon Manchip

Key Concepts Covered:

• Globalisation: Driving collaboration, fostering big ideas, and enabling new approaches (for example, integration of Chinese medicine).
• Digital communications vs. Being physically present: The digital age allows for global interconnectivity, but sometimes physical presence is crucial for projects and building a strong client relationship.
• Impact on Production: Globalisation influences production decisions, like printing books in China for multiple languages or offering economic advantages but potentially hindering creative differentiation.
• Client Interaction and Business Success: Building personal relationships with clients, even remotely, is vital for success. Face-to-face meetings make it easier to problem-solve and Foster trust.
• The Changing Landscape: Globalisation allows individuals to set up businesses from anywhere, therefore bypassing traditional career paths.
• Balancing Global Reach with Local Focus: While digital tools enable global reach, maintaining a local focus and strong personal connections can be key to business success (London-centric client base).

Important Examples or Case Studies:

• Book production in China and distribution across multiple countries.
• Working with printers across different countries for specialised printing and binding.
• Participation in international design festivals.

My Reflection:

While globalisation offers many opportunities, it's important to consider its potential impact on maintaining personal connections. The value of physical presence and face-to-face interactions, especially in client-focused businesses.

• What is the balance between digital communication and physical presence in client interactions?

This question was covered many times in this lecture: how is the digital world affecting our design process? It was also touched on in last week’s lecture by Maziar Raein, where he discussed The Evolution of Graphic Design, focusing on the impact of technology and cultural shifts. The difference is that in this lecture, were focusing on how the digital world affects our communication and what impact this can have.

This got me thinking about a film I watched not too long ago on Amazon called You're Cordially Invited. There was a scene where someone from an older generation was arguing with a Gen Z character because the latter hadnt called or visited a wedding venue office to confirm the booking or check the details. Instead, the Gen Z character said, “I have social anxiety, so I just sent emails. I can do anything that doesnt require a phone call”.