Ethical Business Policy

This Ethical Business Policy (“Policy”) explains the ethical practices of Studio Gardner Limited (“we,” “us,” and “our”). Unless otherwise stated, this Policy describes and governs the ethical guidelines of Studio Gardner Limited with respect to the services (“Services”) we provide and how we engage with clients.

Our Principles

We have designed this policy to be consistent with the following principles:

  • We acknowledge how we sell matters.

  • We take responsibility for our part in changing the industry.

  • We always place the individual before the sale.

  • We will communicate openly, honestly, and transparently about our Services.

  • We will always market and price our Services in an easy to understand manner.

  • We will accurately reflect the positive impact of our Services.

  • We will provide an accurate representation of our business and its impacts.

  • We will always market in a way that empowers the buyer to make informed choices that are best for them.

  • We will provide a pressure-free space for our clients.

  • We will never use psychological tactics to encourage a buyer.

  • We respect client’s privacy and we take care to protect their data.

  • We will continuously review our sales and marketing to ensure they benefit the common good.

  • We are always happy to answer any questions about any Services provided.

Our Approach

Honesty & Transparency in Marketing

  • We ensure we are being honest in all marketing material and messaging.

  • We ensure we are being fully transparent about a product or service including key information in our marketing.

Project-Based Reflections

  • We will undertake project based reflections on our marketing at the start of launching any new Service, or with amendments to an existing Service.

  • We will reflect on these at the end of a launch phase and take lessons learned into the next launches.

Ethical Digital Advertising

  • We focus on serving our clients first in our marketing material before offering an invitation to buy.

  • All our marketing is values based with a focus on service.

  • We desire for clients to be able to receive value from our free content with or without purchasing.

  • We will represent our services in a clear and transparent way in all digital advertising material to enable aligned purchases.

Permission-Based Email Marketing

  • Our email marketing subscription meets the UK GDPR requirement.

  • Email content will be related to the original purposes of the subscription.

  • We will offer content that is of value in email marketing material.

Accurate Impact Marketing

  • We always clearly state without exaggeration the benefits of our Services.

  • We always accurately represent the positive benefits of our services in our marketing material.

  • We always uphold high standards of business and personal ethics.

Ethical Search Engine Optimisation

  • We only employ ethical search engine optimisation strategies. For example using only white hat SEO strategies and avoiding all black hat SEO strategies.

  • We create valuable content that people will want to link to.

  • We use redirects to help clients find the right content.

  • Our content and imagery is always our own, or we ensure it is appropriately sourced or credited.

  • We use keywords within reason to support people finding our services.

Protect Client Data and Privacy

  • We follow government consumer protection laws and always comply with standards, rules, and regulations made by the government and applicable organisations.

  • We will only share client information with consent.

Client Engagement

  • We always put the client first.

  • We will respond meaningfully to client concerns and questions.

  • We ensure clients are always treated with fairness and kindness.

  • We consider a client in a holistic way and respect them as the individual they are. 

How Service Prices are Determined

  • Service prices are based on periodic market research for similar services, coupled with a reflection of the input that would be required from the team to complete the Service to the required standard.

How Prices are Reviewed

  • Service prices are reviewed on an ongoing basis by undertaking market research for similar services, and an internal team discussion on the actual input required to complete the Service to the required standard.

How Prices are Updated

  • Any Service price updates are finalised and published on our website.

How Prices are Shown

  • Prices are accessible to all potential clients and current clients through a link on the website.

  • These can also be issued on PDF when requested by a client on Instagram or email.

  • We ensure prices can be accessed without a client needing to contact the business. 

How Discounts are Offered

  • We ensure discounts are only offered on an earned or set basis.

  • We ensure the discount amounts offered are the same for all clients if criteria is met.

  • Discounts offered by the business are:

    • 20% discount for templates in the first 7 days of launching.

    • 10% special event discount offers for e.g. during a launch event.

    • 5% discount for pay in full (PIF).

      • This is applicable on Services above £1,000.00 in value. 

      • This is applicable to the Service itself.

    • 5% discount for returning clients.

      • This is applicable to any new investment when the initial, or subsequent investments have been over £1,000 in value.

      • This is applicable when the Service is above £1,000 in value.

  • The 5% PIF and 5% returning client discounts are separate to each other and operate independently. Ie. a return client who also completes a payment in full will attain a total 10% discount. 

  • Other discounts offered to a select group of individuals are for:

    • Discounted placements to underrepresented groups or disadvantaged individuals as part of our giving back strategy; and/or

    • Pro-bono work to social and/or environmental organisations as part of our giving back strategy.

Referrals

  • We offer referrals to say thank you for advocating for and communicating our brand to others.

  • This is offered to all former and current clients.

  • It will be paid after the package has been completed, or one month into the programme, whichever comes first and payment has been made for this time period.

  • This is applicable to programmes above £1,000 in value. 

  • The current thank you referral amount is £150.00.

How Prices are Phased during a Launch

  • We do not use price phasing during a launch to ensure clients are given a time pressure-free environment to make an empowered/aligned decision / decision that is right for them.

  • We want clients to make the right choice for them when investing in our Services.

  • The only exception is the launch of our low cost investments which may be subject to a discount upon launch.

How Pricing Plans are set

  • A 25% deposit is required for any payment plans. The remaining balance is apportioned across remaining scope deliverable dates.  

How Masterclasses are held

  • We ensure our masterclasses are value focussed for attendees. 

  • During our masterclasses we may include a section for the promotion of our Services, and will notify attendees of this in marketing material for the event.

  • No further discounts, above those offered to all clients, will be offered during a masterclass Services launch or promotion. This is out of respect and fairness to current clients.

Changes to this Policy

We will continue to evaluate this Policy and we may make changes to the Policy accordingly. We will post any changes here and we encourage you to check this page periodically for updates to stay informed about our ethical practices.

Questions About this Policy

If you have any questions about this Policy or our ethical practices, you can contact us at hello@studiogardner.design