Keith Granet
“Walking Under the Sun.” It is a term most often associated with
nomadic travel adventurers in the tradition of Patrick Leigh Fermor and Bruce
Chatwin but it is how Rhonda and I always think of our great friend and
advisor, Keith Granet. Keith walks in
the sun. He is seemingly everywhere,
always traversing the globe, unearthing the latest innovations and innovators,
shining light on them and always encouraging the best out of us, our colleagues,
and the design industry as a whole.
The Business of Design
With his latest book, The Business of Design, heading up the bestseller
list and now standard issue at design schools across the country, Keith is poised
to continue his role as senior advisor with a follow up book and as one of the
founders of the Design Leadership Network. We were thrilled and honored to
contribute to Keith’s One Kings Lane Tastemaker Event this weekend featuring Eleish van Breems, Tara Shaw,
Suzanne Kasler, Suzanne Tucker and Celerie Kemble. Visit our Eleish van Breems selections HERE.
Eleish van Breems items are available this weekend on
"The Business of Design" Tastemaker Sale on One Kings Lane.
The Business of Design Tastemaker Event on One Kings Lane runs from Saturday, March 10th – Tuesday, March 13th
and is a great place to view our latest design selections including antique armoires, our new scandinavian inspired sofas and chairs, Gustavian style chandeliers and so much more. This also the place to pick up a copy of Keith's wonderful book if it
is not already a part of your library.
Rhonda and I caught up with Keith as he was putting the finishing
logistic touches with his team on the upcoming and much anticipated Design
Leadership Summit that he, Peter Sallick and Meg Touborg have organized this
year to be held in Morocco.
Keith's secrets to success are revealed in The Business of Design.
Edie and Rhonda: Keith, this is your first book
and it’s a runaway best seller!
Did that surprise you? Tell us about how it came about and what your plans are for a sequel.
Did that surprise you? Tell us about how it came about and what your plans are for a sequel.
Keith Granet: It is one thing to write a book and it is a completely different thing
to write a book that is well liked. Yes, that was a surprise because
although I knew what I wanted to say and how I wanted to share the information,
when you are not a writer as your "day job" you don't know whether
people will relate to it. The book has been in my head for years, it
wasn't until I met Jill Cohen, my agent that it became a reality. Jill
knew this was a book that was needed and she truly made it come to life.
As for a sequel, I truly never thought I had it in me to write another
book. However, I am now on a mission to help our profession communicate
the value of design and I think my next book will address that in a big way.
Keith in Copenhagen at last years Design Leadership Conference.
E / R What do you feel are the qualities
that must to be nurtured for all of us to be good
at the business of
design?
K.G. As I say in my book, there are six qualities that every successful
designer must have and they are: 1. Talent, you need to find your particular
talent. 2. Passion, if you don't have passion for this industry it is the
wrong profession for you. The love of design must be in your veins.
3. Discipline, you must have the ability to work at something a little
bit each day to reach your goal. 4. Good Knowledge, you need to
understand the profession. 5. Common Sense, the world is too hard to
navigate without it and finally 6. Chutzpah, you need to be able to take risks
to grow and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
E / R You work with so many different types of clients, from architects and
designers to furniture and fabric companies. What issues do you find
unique to each discipline or is there an over-riding theme that comes up again
and again?
K.G. The common thread that gets most companies in trouble is their ability
to communicate. Whether it is in educating the client or communicating
expectations, communication is the single biggest issue that makes companies fail.
I think the design industry is so closely attached to each profession so
whether you are an architect, an interior designer, a manufacturer or a
retailer in the design world, you share many of the same issues: “Does my product/service communicate its value?”-
Not value in how much does it cost but value in “Is it worth it?” If something
is expensive that is okay as long as it is worth
it. A designer's time is hard to qualify but the better at communicating
the value of your time the more respect and ultimately the more value you will
create for your time.
E / R You are known for your inspirational business retreats - is
this a practice you recommend for all companies both small and large and if so
why?
K. G. Yes, I think it's vital to your growth to get off the daily treadmill
and stop and set goals for the coming year or years. Tomorrow will be not
be a new day it will be the same day if you can't stop and look at what works
and what doesn't. Retreats also connect the senior members of your firm
to help support the company's growth and their own personal growth.
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Keith spreading the sunshine at his book launch event in New York.
Join us tomorrow as Keith sees for the first time
the unveiling of what we, Tara, Celerie, Suzanne T.
and Suzanne K. have selected for his special The Business of Design
Sale on One King Lane. We are going to
find out his personal favorites – can’t wait to join him for coffee via Skype
on the West Coast!
All photos courtesy of Granet and Associates and One Kings Lane.
