Michael Graber’s Post

📉 MINUS ONE CXO EVERY DAY For all design leaders, this article is worth a read. 💡 In my recent post, I've discussed how the relevance of design changes. Design hype has created a seat for Chief Experience Officers on the board, but once the hype fades away, CXO positions are being deprecated. In a long read, Robert Fabricant of Fast Company follows this trend and analyzes what's happening. Here are my key takeaways: ➡️ Design does not have clear accountability in P&L, thus fails to have descriptive value for the company. It talks about strategy and the future, but that's not tied to results right here, right now. ➡️ Design is powerful in times of change and when companies need to innovate. Once that's over, it becomes a utility for companies to deliver more value to customers. ➡️ Designers across the board have trouble talking business. It's not the NPS companies care about; it's about the sales results. How do you tie customer satisfaction to your sales results?

One of the reasons so many content designers (and service designers) feel so burnt out, and yet paradoxically underused in terms of their skillset, is that through the nature of the role we are primed to design at Step 6 in organisations which are operating at Steps 1 or 2. #ContentDesign #DigitalTransformation #Design

Insightful & practical Steps to an Inclusive & Integrated LIFE- Centered Design Approach

The Extended Danish Design ladder 🪜 sounds like an incredibly useful framework! Not only can it be applied by entrepreneurs to identify where their organisation is and create a roadmap to move upwards, it’s also a helpful tool for design-minded folks to evaluate teams they might potentially work with. Thanks for sharing this, Nina Maturu ! It would be fascinating to see your call to action as a Poll or survey. I’m curious to know where most organisations sit on this ladder, particularly segregated by industry and type of org. 🤔

https://lnkd.in/g-nv7_Nv 💡Building an Innovative Culture Through Human-Centered Design 💡 As our design teams begin their ideation sessions this week, it’s essential to recognize how Human-centered design drives impactful solutions. What is The Human-Centered Design Approach? Human-centered design is a user-focused problem-solving methodology. This approach centers around understanding users’ needs, behaviors, and experiences. How Can This Approach Be Successful? For this approach to be successful, collaboration must be fostered. This guarantees that a comprehensive understanding of the end-user is developed. For collaboration to flourish, a team must establish a clear set of values that serve as a compass when navigating this process. This fosters an inclusive atmosphere where team members feel encouraged to share their ideas. An inclusive culture promotes various perspectives, leading to more curated and thoughtful solutions. How Does Innovation Play a Role in This Approach? Despite being distinct concepts, innovation and human-centric design are interconnected since they are both built on the foundation of human experience. Innovation is promoted by a deep understanding of human needs and experiences. The human-centered design approach fuels innovation by recognizing people’s challenges and meeting their needs. Combining these concepts offers a powerful formula for transformative growth.

How Top Design-Driven Companies Double Revenue Growth and Shareholder Returns: 📊 Analytical Leadership: Treat design metrics with the same importance as revenue and cost metrics to drive performance. 🌟 Cross-Functional Talent: Embed user-centric design into every role, making it a company-wide responsibility, not just a siloed function. 🔄 Continuous Iteration: Mitigate development risks by constantly listening to, testing with, and iterating based on end-user feedback. 🔗 Unified User Experience: Integrate physical, digital, and service design for a seamless user experience, breaking down internal silos. Unlock the potential of design in your organization and watch as it transforms your business outcomes!

The business value of design. Yikes! Something everyone in design should consider promoting. We need to be advocates for the ROI of good design. Back in late 2018 McKinsey produced an extensive report to explore this: https://lnkd.in/gcPmekRP Just a few key takeaways… • Double Growth Rate: Companies excelling in design achieve revenue growth and shareholder returns at nearly twice the rate of their peers. Good design is a catalyst for measurable financial success. • Higher Revenue and Returns: Top-quartile design performers have 32% higher revenue growth and 56% higher shareholder returns over a five-year period compared to industry averages. • Customer-Centric Design is Key: Successful companies maintain a deep understanding of customer needs and constantly refine their offerings based on user feedback. This approach reduces risk and improves satisfaction. Well worth a gander at the McKinsey Design index. Be interested to hear peoples experience of presenting design value to leadership teams, and the general response. #designleadership #designvalue

🔆 Uncovering Core Values Through Design Thinking!!! 🔆 As a Corporate Professional who has spent more than a decade and a half in the People function, I recently had the privilege of leading a unique project that involved using Design Thinking techniques to uncover the core values of a 40-year-old proprietor run FMCG organization. This was no ordinary task - it required empathy, collaboration, and a deep dive into the heart and soul of the company. 🛩 The project began with a series of workshops, where we employed activities to stimulate discussions and foster a deeper understanding of the organization's culture and values. It was like peeling the layers of an onion, revealing the essence that made this company tick. 🙋♀️ Through the interactivity and engagement, we tapped into the collective wisdom of employees and leaders. People shared their experiences, their aspirations, and their dreams for the company. Passion and dedication permeated every corner of the room. 👓 As the workshops progressed, a fascinating tapestry of values began to emerge. Themes of integrity, excellence, empathy, and transparency wove together, creating a blueprint for the company's future. 🤵 One of the most powerful moments came when we explored the lives, legacies, wisdom and foresight of the organization's founders. Vivid stories and heartfelt recollections helped uncover the values that guided and shaped the company's trajectory. It was a humbling reminder that great organizations are built on the shoulders of visionary leaders who put people first. ✔ As the project drew to a close, we not only unearthed the core values of the organization but also ignited a spark within the employees. They felt empowered, connected, and ready to embark on a new chapter of growth and success. ✍ This project was a testament to the power of Design Thinking in uncovering the true essence of an organization and its people. By putting the needs of the employees and stakeholders at the forefront, we were able to create a values framework that was authentic, inclusive, and empowering. 🙇♂️ It was a privilege to be a part of this journey of discovery, transformation, and ultimately, success. I am excited to see the impact these core values will have on the company's future. 😍 Heartfelt thanks to my Design Thinking Coach - Ajay Aggarwal, from whom I have learnt the art of Human Centered Design. Thank you, Ajay for your guidance, support and more importantly your friendship. 😊 More designs along the way! 😊 #OrganizationalValues #Designthinking #Lifeexperience #Grateful

🚀💡 Is Design Still at the "Kids Table"? Let's Talk. Reflecting on recent articles, I can't help but wonder: Does design truly have a seat at the table, or are we still stuck at the "kids table" in the business world? Throughout my UX career, I've heard the rhetoric about the importance of design ad nauseam. Companies like Apple, Airbnb, and Adobe have shown us the transformative power of design, yet for many organizations, it still feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. As the tech industry weathered layoffs over the past few years, I found myself questioning our collective hubris. Did we drink too much of the design Kool-Aid, believing it could single-handedly save the world? So, where do we go from here? Will AI eventually replace designers? Will we forever sit in the backseat to business and engineering? These questions linger, begging for honest discussion. As designers, we must reaffirm our value. While concepts like "What about the user?" and "What about design thinking?" are crucial, it's clear that many project managers and engineers already incorporate these principles. So, how do we set ourselves apart? A truly valuable designer doesn't just push pixels; they balance business needs with user needs, uncovering blind spots and advocating for thoughtful, user-centric solutions. We're not just "Yes Men" afraid of losing our seat; we're catalysts for change. So, what are your thoughts? Let's have a candid conversation about the future of design and where we fit into shaping products and businesses. Ultimately, it's not just about securing a missunderstood and unappreciated spot at the adults table—it's about amplifying our voices and making a meaningful impact. #DesignLeadership #UXDesign #BusinessInnovation 🌟🎨

"Design and a creative mindset can be a great enabler – so make sure you use it." I urge everyone to read this inspiring and uplifting article by Nick Horan from Reckitt. In an uncertain and unpredictable world it takes imagination to envision the future in order for business models to adapt. Nick is right that imagination is an attribute to be found in abundance in the creative, marketing and design worlds. It is also true that technology has never been more powerful at coming to our aid in accelerating and enriching our ideas so they are easier to describe, share and build consensus around. He's absolutely correct that it is our time to step up and support business planning and inspire business confidence and excitement about the future, and assuage the fear that can accompany uncertainty. This presents a massive opportunity for our industry, but also a huge responsibility to meet the moment. https://buff.ly/3UvvUGR