Sergey Prokofiev: "It will be difficult, but we can handle it. We need design."

Contents:

• About the first changes
• About customer requests
• About team support
• About upcoming changes
• About anti-crisis plans
• About the departure of Adobe and others
• Advice to designers

We discussed key solutions needed in times of crisis, as well as development prospects and hidden opportunities, with design experts. In this issue, we present an interview with Sergey Prokofiev, Development Director at CreativePeople.

The Development Director at CreativePeople plays a key role in strategic management and business growth. This specialist is responsible for the development and implementation of innovative approaches aimed at increasing the company's market share. He analyzes current trends and customer needs, which allows him to form effective business strategies. In addition, the Development Director collaborates with other departments to ensure alignment and maximum effectiveness in achieving corporate goals. In a rapidly changing market, a successful Development Director must possess a high level of analytical skills and the ability to adapt to new challenges.

About the first changes

We have developed an effective information system that allows us to monitor all events in our environment. Although this may create a somewhat fragmented view of the situation, such a system provides sufficient information to substantiate management decisions.

Our client portfolio demonstrates resilience. We are pleased to report that the majority of our projects continue to operate, and 90% of tasks remain in progress. Although plans are adjusted depending on circumstances, we are cautiously optimistic about the future. Our team is focused on providing a high level of service and maintaining trusting relationships with clients.

There are many companies in the market that are experiencing difficulties. Some of them have experienced significant client turnover or reduced marketing efforts, leading to a sharp decline in revenue. In response, these companies are forced to urgently seek new projects, review their expenses, and reduce their staff. In the most critical cases, there is a risk of bankruptcy and business closure.

About Client Inquiries

We are currently seeing a slight decline in the number of inquiries. Typically, March and April see a steady flow of inquiries, amounting to seven to 15 inquiries per day. This figure has dropped to three to seven inquiries daily. The incoming inquiries include both large projects and small tasks, which is typical during times of crisis.

Currently, I haven't seen any significant changes in the search query structure. SMM-related queries continue to show high interest. This is likely due to changes in the structure of platforms available for promotion. As a result, we're seeing a localized increase in the popularity of such queries. SMM continues to be an important tool for effectively promoting brands and products, highlighting the relevance of this topic in modern digital marketing.

We regularly receive inquiries from independent local branches of large companies regarding branding and website development.

Overall, analyzing our incoming lead flow and current client portfolio, we are moderately optimistic. However, we have increased our efforts to actively seek out tenders from large clients and are focusing on projects that involve long-term collaboration. This allows us not only to expand our client base but also to strengthen partnerships with trusted companies, which in turn contributes to sustainable business growth.

About Team Support

In the current environment, honesty and openness within the team are especially important. We regularly share up-to-date information on the state of the company so that every employee is aware of what is happening. Our team is our main asset, and we value each person's contribution.

We may forgo an office, equipment, dividends, and corporate events, but we will retain our employees last and strive to avoid layoffs. Employees are the foundation of our business, and we value their contribution to the company's development.

Our goal is to create a stable working environment where timely salary payments and compliance with agreements are a priority. We strive to ensure that as the company grows, the well-being of our employees increases.

We have been working remotely for two years now. To strengthen team spirit and foster closer relationships among employees, we have increased the number of informal activities both in the office and online. We have a book club, volleyball games, English classes, and weekly tea parties and board games. Some employees bring their dogs to the office, and we have created a special Slack channel for pet photos. These initiatives contribute to a better team atmosphere and increased employee satisfaction.

We are currently seeing a noticeable unity among employees, which contributes to the stable operation of the company. This cohesion allows us to overcome difficulties and achieve common goals.

We are currently limiting new hires, hiring only as needed for specific projects. Last week, two new designers joined our team.

About upcoming changes

Every economic crisis leads to a change in the market structure. We are currently in the early stages of the first wave, and the main economic impacts are still to come. It's important to remain vigilant and prepared for change. CreativePeople focuses on two key areas: digital communications and digital product design. We help businesses adapt to new market conditions and develop their online presence.

Modern communications are undergoing significant changes. Channels and platforms are being transformed, budgets are being cut, but it's impossible to completely shut down the economy. As a result, the system is gradually adapting and achieving stability.

We are active in key industries such as fintech, telecommunications, and information technology. Our company has a strong position in the pharmaceutical sector and is also involved in real estate. We expect changes in these areas, but are confident that demand for our services will remain stable, as these industries cannot completely stop. Our expertise and experience allow us to adapt to changes and continue to provide high-quality services in an unpredictable economic environment.

Market volumes will decline globally, but growth may be observed within individual companies. This applies to those organizations that adapt most effectively to the current conditions. As a result, some companies will be able to survive, while others may leave the market. It is likely that not only clients will leave, but also less stable contractors.

The labor market has always faced difficulties in finding qualified contractors and specialists. Currently, these problems may worsen, especially against the backdrop of personnel outflow abroad. In particular, the digital product sector operates under different mechanisms, requiring new approaches to hiring and managing talent. It's important to adapt to changing conditions to successfully compete and attract talented specialists in this field.

Long-term projects are typically less flexible and often develop through inertia. In the near future, I expect increased interest in creating domestic equivalents. Import substitution in software may not affect our operations, as we focus on developing smaller-scale online client services. However, we expect new orders and projects in UX/UI and interface design for web and mobile applications, and possibly desktop software as well.

Predicting the future is always difficult, but we are confident that we can overcome the challenges ahead. It's important to understand that high-quality design plays a key role in the success of any project. We are committed to creating effective and attractive solutions that meet modern requirements.

About Anti-Crisis Plans

We offer a variety of anti-crisis plans aimed at building stable and long-term relationships with our clients. We currently focus on interacting with our existing clients, maintaining constant contact. We recognize that cooperation with Russian companies and those who will remain on the Russian market is the most promising area. It is on this aspect that we focus our efforts.

We have a range of organizational measures aimed at improving internal communication and optimizing processes. We regularly hold meetings to inform employees of the company's strategic plans. As part of these measures, we have also developed and implemented software update plans. In addition, we have focused on reducing costs, which contributes to the overall efficiency of our team.

We will respond appropriately to changes and take all necessary steps to ensure CreativePeople successfully celebrates its twentieth anniversary next year and continues to grow in the future.

A focus on results and confidence in your actions are important factors determining success. These qualities enable you to effectively achieve your goals and confidently overcome obstacles on the path to achievement.

On the departure of Adobe and others

Our main solution is to select similar products and switch to alternative services. Many similar products to foreign software are available in Russia. This applies to categories such as email services, CRM systems, and task trackers. We help our clients find suitable solutions that meet their requirements and ensure high quality work. Switching to local equivalents not only improves business processes but also increases data security.

There are software products for which import substitution is currently impossible. A prime example is Adobe software, for which there are no worthy alternatives on the Russian market. One solution to this problem is to use payments from foreign accounts. Numerous articles on this topic can be found online, but only a few offer truly convenient solutions. Therefore, it is important to constantly monitor new methods and approaches to select the most effective options for working with software.

If payment problems with Adobe persist in the future, many users may switch to pirated versions of programs. It is unlikely that alternatives to Adobe graphics packages will appear in Russia anytime soon. While some projects may exist, their development previously made no sense, and now the need for them is likely increasing. Nevertheless, most users will seek more affordable solutions than developing their own software, especially if such initiatives do not receive government support or funding.

It is gratifying to know that Adobe is no longer the primary tool in our work. Its role has been reduced to a small segment, primarily used by the graphics department. We focus primarily on Figma, which significantly simplifies the design and collaboration process. Figma allows us to manage projects more effectively and make changes quickly, making it an indispensable tool in our daily work.

Advice for designers

Keeping a cool head and a clear mind is key in any life situation. It is important not to panic and worry unnecessarily. I understand those who decided to go abroad in search of better conditions, but, in my opinion, no one is waiting for us outside our homeland. Ultimately, some will stay abroad, but many will return. Here, in our home country, work, family, and familiar life await us. Maintaining a connection to home and recognizing the importance of one's native places will help maintain inner balance and confidence in the future.

To remain in demand in the design field, it is necessary to constantly learn and develop. It is essential to expand your skills and master new technologies. It is crucial for a designer to properly package their services, create an attractive portfolio, and effectively find platforms for its placement. A high-quality portfolio not only helps showcase your achievements but also attracts the attention of potential clients and employers. Regularly updating your knowledge and skills, as well as actively promoting your work on the Internet, play a key role in a successful career as a designer.

There are many challenges in the field of design, and we will continue to actively work on solving them.