Services: Grill-the-Consultant Sessions and Proposal Development
“When I saw Emily moderate the Business Principles for Design Principals conference a couple years ago, I felt like she was speaking directly to me. She seemed to know all about my weaknesses and anxieties as a small business owner and clearly possessed intimate knowledge of the demands of being not only other people's boss, but your own. I knew right then that I had to work with her, and now, I can't imagine not having done so. Years of experience consulting with designers and creative professionals has armed Emily with the expertise and wisdom to console you in times of difficulty and whip you into shape when you cannot see the bigger picture. She truly understands the often delicate balance of being passionate and creative while remaining a strategic and savvy business person. I have come to rely on Emily's advice in decisions large and small and she's helped me transform key ways in which I manage my business. Thanks to Emily's on-going input and support, our studio has forayed into exciting new opportunities with greater confidence, and hopefully many more to come! ”

Services: Staff Management and Process Evaluation
“ I can’t say enough good things about Emily Cohen and how helpful she has been. She is straightforward, direct and gets to the heart of issues. Her style of communication was good for my company. I run a search firm in the media/entertainment space that has a lot of parallels to a lot of the creative design firms. She was able to get people to trust her so that she could get enough information to make the process more informative and valuable. She made some great recommendations but she also stays involved for the implementation. She has become a trusted advisor to me and I really value her.d perspective on all aspects of the industry. What we love most is her cut-to-the-chase, no frills, honest approach. Thanks Emily! ”

Services: Document Audit, Client Survey and Proposal Development
“ The benefits of Emily's insider-on-the-outside perspective are enormous. She knows the business extremely well and draws from years of experience to offer tailored advice. She patiently, logically and unambiguously outlines the pros and cons of her every recommendation as they pertain to our firm's particular needs and interests. She is always current, always teaching us something new. A wonderful resource, a delightful person, highly recommended! ”

Services: Grill-the-Consultant Sessions and Proposal Development
“When we discovered Emily, we were ecstatic-she is an amazing resource! We consult with her on almost every major decision regarding our company, from expanding our business, to hiring employees to marketing materials and negotiating contracts and proposals. Her experience and list of distinguished clients, give her a very informed perspective on all aspects of the industry. What we love most is her cut-to-the-chase, no frills, honest approach. Thanks Emily! ”

Services: Staff Management and Process Evaluation
“After hearing Emily's session at the HOW, Mind Your Own Business Conference, we knew she
was a good match for our design studio! Emily is passionate about her work, and has an incredible sense for people and how they interact in a workplace. In just 2 days of interviews, we were amazed at how she figured out our business structure, our internal management style, our dedicated staff and their unique personalities, and of course, all our issues! She gave us some valuable pointers on a range of topics which included, partner roles and responsibilities, management style, leadership, teamwork, workflow process, new business practices, and everything in-between. While we have a dedicated team of long-time happy employees, the best lesson learned is that we should always strive to keep improving! While it's tough to face the truth sometimes, Emily isn't afraid to dish it out! Behind her easy-going personality, is a brutally honest professional! She really kicked us into gear to take action on our endless to-do lists! ”

Services: Staff Management and Process Evaluation
“Having been in business for over 17 years, we (OK, I) developed quite a few bad habits with regards to business practices and staffing responsibilities. As a creative business owner it was very difficult to be objective about what was and wasn't working. Emily brings to the table her management expertise and the insights of working with numerous design studios and agencies that share similar challenges and pitfalls. Furthermore she has the unique ability to identify what's missing. Her review and recommendations are akin to an annual check up at the doctors office where you're told what your doing right, what your doing wrong and what you need to change so things don't get ugly.”

Services: Corporate Consultation/Client-Survey
“On ground-level, the difficulties of an in-house creative department in supporting the customer can be clearly evident. Emily has provided us the view from 5,000 feet, and with it, the strategic solutions that can help us regain our focus and direction. Thanks Emily for your insight and perspective.”

Services: Document Audit, Proposal and Contract Development
“The money we spent for Emily’s help conducting a document audit and writing proposals paid off! The first new proposal we wrote resulted in a comprehensive brand identity, packaging, and web site project to launch a new consumer product.”

Services: Proposal and Contract Development
“I am grateful to have Emily as my business partner. She is ethical, discreet, efficient, a pleasure to work with, and the consummate professional. And what's amazing is that her affiliation with a group of designers makes her the most objective and well-informed business partner for each individual. Emily has transformed what used to be my least favorite phase of the business into a strategic tool to turn out thoroughly analyzed estimates and proposals with great speed, which I present with great confidence.”

Services: Staff Management Audit, Grill-the-Consultant Sessions, Proposal and Contract Development
“When I first found out about Emily, I couldn't believe that there was someone who provided the services she does. Now all the hours I spent researching, consulting reference books and colleagues, and writing and rewriting estimates can be spent on design. And the best part is that I can now send my proposals with confidence and negotiate from a position of strength, since I know Emily's work is objective, well-informed and professional. Thanks, Emily.”

Services: Grill-the-Consultant Sessions, Proposal and Contract Development
“Emily has become one of my most valuable business resources. She combines articulate and thoughtful analysis with a warm and responsive manner. She has the ability to develop proposals that clearly communicate the scope and terms of a project, which ultimately benefits my bottom line.”

Services: Grill-the-Consultant Sessions. Proposal and Contract Development
“The success and growth of my business has been due in no small part to the efforts of Emily Cohen. Not only does she write a perfect proposal every time; she never fails to meet the tightest of deadlines, has valuable insight into a wide range of projects, and rises to every occasion with energy and optimism.”

Services: Staff Management Audit, Document Audit, Proposal and Contract Development
“Emily's stock is always high, but continues to grow higher. Frankly, I'm not sure whether to make her my trusted friend and spiritual advisor, a charter member of the Iridium Group Advisory Board, or try to lure her into a high paying Principal role here.

Emily is the consummate professional. In every meeting, she always delivers a great deal of value to our firm. Her advice is focused on providing custom answers and immediate, tangible benefits to our design business which allow us to compete more effectively, deliver more value to our clients, and streamline our business. As we continue to grow our company, I know that she will be able to play a valuable role in guiding us through new operational territory which will benefit our internal systems
and our clients alike.”

Services: Client Survey and Proposal Development
“I've been very impressed with Emily's work for us over the years. Emily recently helped us by conducting a client satisfaction survey, which we found to be an invaluable tool in benchmarking our performance in this area.

In addition, she's helped us in preparing our proposals, taking often half-baked input (both from potential clients and from us) and, using her experience and intelligence, creating documents that are clear, specific and professional. I particularly admire the way she is able to tailor her work to address both the needs of the client and the approach of our firm.

I'm thankful that we're experiencing a good economy and that there seems to be plenty of design work to go around. Otherwise (and for purely selfish reasons), I wouldn't be recommending Emily's services to other firms. I'd want to keep her a secret.”

Services: Proposal and Contract Development
“Emily saved my life. Before my friend, designer Lloyd Ziff, turned me on to her, I was dying just trying to do what she does for us. No one else I know of has a clue as to how to do it.”

Services: Grill-the-Consultant Sessions. Market Research, and Proposal Development
“Emily is a pleasure to work with. The immediate benefit is that she takes the burden off writing proposals, giving me more time to design and run the office. With her unique perspective into the industry she knows what the value of a project is so now I charge more. Emily has also been a great help in other aspects of my business - doing market research and writing in-depth market strategies - this has added great value to the services I can offer my clients.”

Services: Proposal Development
“Before I was introduced to Emily Cohen, I used to think that our estimates and contracts were pretty decent. My German partner and I used to spend hours and sometimes days on the perfect estimate - writing, rewriting, changing prices, second guessing ourselves - and then we would have our girlfriends double check everything one more time. So, for anyone who is not crazy about spending a full day or a week writing a mediocre estimate and contract and who wants to look very, very professional there is Emily Cohen.”

Services: Staff Management Audit, Client Survey, Proposal and Contract Development
“Emily Cohen is the guardian angel for design companies that think only about design and disregard those trivial aspects of running a studio - staff management, proposal development, client surveys, contracts, and the like.”

Services: Grill-the-Consultant Sessions and Proposal Development
“Working with Emily has not only streamlined our ability to deliver to our clients the previously overwhelming number of business documents in a clear and efficient manner (no small feat), but, more importantly it has allowed us to change our own perceptions of what it is we do. As our business has grown, Emily has been a tremendous asset.”

Services: Creative Brief Consultation
“Emily introduced us to the creative brief process and it has changed the way we do business. I used to think some clients were beyond hope and would turn down working with them. Now I explain that defining needs and goals can often be a project in and of itself, and I can see the relief in their eyes. It's as if they are saying "a designer who really wants to get to know me and will listen to my problems!" In truth, we were always eager to listen, but now we get paid for it.”

Services: Staff and Process Management Audit and Grill-the-Consultant Sessions
“Emily Cohen provided insight into the operation of our design firm that has improved the way we do business and allows us to spend more time on design and more efforts building our business for the future. Her expertise in recognizing how we may work better and her understanding of the design industry is insurmountable. Emily is quick-on-her-feet, insightful and precise in her recommendations. Our firm is running smoother and our communication with clients and prospects has never been better.”

Services: Staff Management Audit and Document Audit
“Emily was able to quickly assess the specifics of our studio and deliver poignant, detailed and extremely helpful recommendations which led to a reorganization of our structure, a vastly improved workflow and happy employees. Her insight and expertise are a huge asset for any creative firm.”

Services: Staff and Process Management Audit and Document Audit
“I have owned a design firm for many years and wish I had met Emily long ago. Her insight, input, and expertise in the management arena have helped me clearly define what my business needs. Her reports and analysis are very thorough and her final reports were totally customized for my firm’s current and future needs. I look forward to continued work with Emily – her commitment to seeing my firm succeed is a great support. And for once I finally have a job description for my role in the company!”

Services: Grill-the-Consultant Sessions and Proposal Development
“I sometimes thinks Emily is more committed to the future of my business than I am. And I certainly have a lot fewer sleepless nights now that I work with her.”

Services: Staff and Process Evaluation
“I first met Emily at the HOW Mind Your Own Business Conference. I was very impressed with her presentation and hired her as a consultant for my design studio. This has been one of my best business investments. I personally felt that I was given a fast track course specifically tailored to meet our needs.

Emily has a very matter-of-fact approach that is easy to implement and understand. Her recommendations have been extremely helpful and realistic. She makes everything seem simple but with a very professional approach. I look forward to working with Emily in the future and feel she is part of our team and future success.”

Services: Document Audit and Grill-the-Consultant Sessions
“Emily Cohen is an invaluable resource to our design firm, but we can measure the results of working with her. After completing the Document Audit we have more professional proposals, produced more efficiently, and receive very positive response from potential clients. We have, in turn, either been finalists for review or won the design contract. And that was just the beginning of our work with Emily. Now we work with her on an ongoing consulting basis. Being able to tap into her knowledge and receive her impartial advice is invaluable”

Services: Corporate Consultation
“Emily and her associate were able to objectively look at how our in-house creative department was running and pinpoint key areas that needed to change in order for us to function more efficiently. They then put together a prioritized list of action items enabling our department to address those opportunities for improvement. They accomplished all this with experienced insight, good humor and an appreciation for the real world challenges facing our team. ”

Services: Staff Management and Process Evaluation
“It was so refreshing to work with a business consultant who understands our agency, clients and everyday challenges. She assisted us in quickly identifying our problems and has provided a plan to solve them. Thanks to Emily, staff morale is up and we have a clear roadmap to build our business on. ”