ABSTRACT
Over the years, the subject of money is found to be isolated to the boardroom - it is seldom discussed in studio, and when it is the discussion is usually negative. Profitability is skewed by working culture - the long hours in studios where firms utilise staff for 10 to 12 hours per day, but only pay for 7.5 hours. One must realise that the value of this time is the profit margin for many firms. The financial gender balance of the profession demonstrates a gender bias that many of us have seen first-hand, but discussing such a subject without addressing the issue of our collective value, regardless of gender, is naive. The intellectual work behind what one creates is the most valued asset. One must focus on selling the insight and breadth of knowledge, and one needs to be clear that the industry in which one works is property, not just design.
