Thurs., May 13, 2010, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
ACDG invited several conservators and asked them to share their experiences working in the current economy in a session titled “Working in an Unstable Economy: Experiences and Insight on the Conservation of Paper-based Materials in the Private Sector.” The panelists all work in the private sector either in regional centers or as conservators in private practice.
First to speak was Michael Lee, Director of Conservation, Ethrington Conservation Center. His talk, titled “Operating a Regional Center in the Private Sector During and Economic Downturn,” focused on managing through difficult times. His advice, however, is not just for down times but is solid advice for all conservation managers.
Lee focused on the business aspects of managing, keeping employees happy, avoiding management pitfalls, and defining expectations. The bottom line is that a business must run efficiently and effectively and the decisions are not always easy to make, especially when it comes to managing people, but you must remain flexible.
His basic working principles as a business manager are:
- Treat everyone fairly and equally
Fit the skill level with the project
Set the billing rate for the level of skill required
Assure the allocated time is correct for the project
Define and meet your client’s needs
Develop client profile
Provide client value for products and services
Make sure total expenses do not exceed earnings
Properly manage cash flow
Reinvest in your company
Lee also outlined his principles for working with clients:
Maintain your professionalism
Do not compromise on quality
Provide good advice to clients
Give the client options
Let the client make final fiscal decision
Earn their trust
Susan Lunas, owner of Many Moons Book Conservation, presented a talk titled “Bound and Determined” that focused on keeping the business going during down times. She emphasized that conservators where many hats and they must be creative when setting up their workshops and finding customers. She showed pictures of her studio and explained how she used non-standard materials for her set up, such as a shower floor as a washing sink, and the shower door as a light table. She also spoke about marketing and how conservators in private practice need to take it seriously.
Wendy Bennett, owner of Wendy Bennett Fine Art Paper Conservation, presented “Conservator, Sell Thyself” which focused on ways to build a brand for your business. Her advice:
- Build a strong online presence and keep it up to date
Develop print materials and use your logo to brand them
Get your name out there, show your portfolio, get into the news
Barter services to keep expenses down
Make yourself visible, teach and attend classes
Join preservation fairs (an “antiques road show” for conservation)
Donate your services for silent auctions/fundraising efforts
Seek out grants
Jim Pines talked about the “Conservation Treatment of the Assembly Collections,” work he did while contracting at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA). The project was a joint project with CCAHA and the State Library of Pennsylvania and was funded by an IMLS State Libraries grant. CCAHA contributed content for the grant and when it was awarded, they were given the contract to do the conservation work. At the end of his talk he spoke briefly about how CCAHA markets themselves through their website and print materials.