How to Implement Design Thinking to Solve Business Problems?

Finding Solutions for Business Problems

• When you consider the problem and solution you are addressing for your business, it is important to focus on the core issue at hand. At our agency, we primarily work with startups, many of which lack a clear brand direction or vision for the future. In such cases, it is crucial to pinpoint the core problem and refine the goal. Start by listing out the solutions in a document, such as an Ocean or Google doc, and then link each solution to a specific user demographic or buyer persona. For example, if you are creating illustrations for clients and notice a lack of diversity, particularly in terms of representation for black individuals, the solution would be to create a variety of illustrations depicting different types of people.

Finding Solutions for Business Problems

The Importance of Diverse Representation in Stock Art

• The lack of diverse illustrations in stock art is a prevalent issue that needs to be addressed. It is not just about having images that represent diverse groups of people, but delving deeper into the systemic reasons behind this lack of representation. Historically, there has been a lack of diversity in the design and development space, leading to limited representation in stock art. This is not due to malicious intent but rather a result of creators producing content based on their familiarity and knowledge. To tackle this issue, we must consider the bigger picture and understand that the solution goes beyond just adding diverse illustrations. It is essential to recognize that the root of the problem is systemic and requires a more comprehensive approach. As business owners or content creators, it is crucial to start with addressing the low-hanging fruit but also be open to expanding the solutions as we progress. Just like in the example of elevator frustrations mentioned in the book 'What's the Problem', where a simple solution like reducing wait times may seem obvious, the underlying causes may point to a more complex issue that needs to be understood and addressed.

The Importance of Diverse Representation in Stock Art

Reframing the Problem: A Creative Solution for Waiting Time

• To get a faster motor to have the elevator move faster, but it said that oftentimes what we need to do is reframe the problem. The problem is people are frustrated while waiting for the elevator, not that we need faster elevators. So, when they understood that by reframing it, they found that the solution was to put mirrors in the Lobby's where elevators are, or interesting artwork. So, when you push the button, people check themselves out and they are distracted by that. That is an elegant solution to the problem. Sometimes that solution is out of the box and not the complete opposite of the problem. The next step after you've kind of solved for that smaller, low-hanging through problem and solution, it's really about determining target audience. First, analyze the product and service. Analyzing your product and service, you want to look at what need do you fulfill. What's the main focus on what need do you fulfill for your main clients? Also, what problem does it solve? And then, lastly, who would benefit. If we looked at this from Lego, what need do I need to fulfill? You want to help children or even adults be able to...

Reframing the Problem: A Creative Solution for Waiting Time

The Importance of Asking Questions in Understanding Customer Needs

• In the process of identifying a target market fit, it is crucial for company owners, agency owners, or freelancers to ask the right questions. Often, instead of making assumptions, we should focus on gathering insightful information by asking relevant questions. This approach can lead to informed decisions that benefit our businesses. For instance, at Black Illustrations, we prioritize understanding our audience's preferences for each illustration pack we create. By inviting our audience to request specific illustrations on our website and collecting detailed information, we have established a valuable connection with our customers. This proactive questioning not only helps us deliver what our audience truly desires but also strengthens our relationship with them.

The Importance of Asking Questions in Understanding Customer Needs

Creating Tailored Content with Airtable: A Game-Changer for Audience Engagement

• With Airtable, we have the incredible ability to analyze keywords and gather valuable insights. By simply typing in keywords like 'healthcare' or 'health', we can instantly see how many users have mentioned these terms. This information is gold as it allows us to prioritize content creation based on user preferences. For instance, if we discover that out of 500 form submissions, 45 users have mentioned 'healthcare', we know this is a topic of high interest to our audience. This strategic approach has proven to be a game-changer for us. By identifying popular keywords, we can craft specific content that resonates with the majority of our users. This process often leads to the creation of tailored illustration packs that receive an overwhelmingly positive response from our audience. We continuously analyze keywords to find content ideas that align with our users' interests, ultimately creating a repository of targeted content. Our focus on education packs, including STEM, elementary, high school, and college education, stems from recognizing the prevalence of educators in our target market. By understanding our audience's needs and preferences through keyword analysis, we can consistently deliver content that engages and satisfies our users.

Creating Tailored Content with Airtable: A Game-Changer for Audience Engagement

Conclusion:

In conclusion, design thinking offers a valuable framework for addressing business problems, refining goals, and catering to specific user demographics. By implementing design thinking strategies, businesses can find innovative solutions and achieve long-term success.

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