Monthly Archives: March 2020

Re-imagining Drive Thru Restaurants – Innovation or Not

Food Locker Pickup Pizza Hut

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed our world with the subtlety of a sledgehammer and now billions of people around the world are under ‘stay at home’ orders. In many communities restaurants and bars are closed or only allowed to deliver meals or make them available as ‘to-go’ or takeaway orders.

But, even with the plethora of food delivery services in the United States and elsewhere, people still prefer drive-thru to food delivery when they choose not to dine in. But what are you to do when your restaurant isn’t configured with a drive-thru window?

One answer would be to re-imagine the drive thru and takeaway by learning from the automats of the 1930’s and 1940’s (the last one in New York City closed in 1991) and Amazon Lockers.

Food Locker Automat 1936

You can create lockers for warm food and lockers for cold food. Before the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began spreading across the globe some companies were experimenting with food lockers combined with mobile ordering at ballparks:

Food Lockers with Mobile Ordering at Ballparks

And, Pizza Hut was experimenting in Hollywood with Pizza Lockers to eliminate interactions with employees (picture top of article).

One could imagine that as Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdowns stretch from weeks from months, and the virus lingers for the next 12-24 months, and fears of individuals linger potentially even longer, restaurants may want to re-imagine how they configure and leverage their physical space.

Is it worth redeploying an external wall of the restaurant to optimize to go or takeaway orders?

The idea isn’t that difficult for an individual restaurant to adopt as there are companies manufacturing food lockers already, and they can be combined with PIN’s to unlock them that can be delivered by email or mobile platforms and reset after each use.

During a virus outbreak (or on an ongoing basis) sanitizing wipes could be provided or if the lockers are on the street, then one employee could be staffed for delivering food from the kitchen to the lockers and then sanitizing the lockers on the outside of the restaurant.

Have you seen this type of solution growing in your part of the world?

Innovation or not?


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New Idea from South Korea to Reduce Demand for Coronavirus Protective Gear

New Idea from South Korea to Reduce Demand for Coronavirus Protective Gear

Now that the United States and other countries squandered the two month advance notice they received of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in China, we should be all be accelerating our efforts to learn from each other.

From South Korea, the country that gave us the idea of Drive-Thru Coronavirus testing, comes this new idea for protecting both healthcare workers and patients, while also reducing the amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) that healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) will need as we struggle to cope with this crisis and severe supply shortages:

Please share this idea far and wide around the globe and post other great ideas that people can learn from below in the comments.

Together we can beat this!


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Open Source Respirator and Low Cost Ventilator Efforts to Fight Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Open Source Respirator Project

Mechanical Ventilator

NOTE: Nothing on this page is intended as medical advice. My only goal is to make information available so that people can get involved with co-innovation efforts and share resources that can be leveraged in crisis situations.

Calling all doctors, nurses, designers, engineers and designers…

Join one of the amazing Open Source Ventilator Projects to contribute your passion, creativity, time and expertise to help develop low-cost ventilators to fight the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Here are some ways of getting involved and some inspiration and some cheaper ventilator options:

  1. 13,000+ member Open Source Coronavirus Supplies group on Slack
  2. OPEN CALL closes 24 March at 9:00 GMT: Rapidly Manufactured Ventilated Systems
  3. March 19-20 University College London (UCL) Design & Refine Sprint Low Cost Ventilators — Register Now
  4. Ultimate Medical Hackathon
  5. Open Source COVID19 Medical Supplies group on Facebook
  6. DIY Pandemic Ventilator (built during Avian Flu crisis and shared on Instructables)
  7. Story on OneBreath winning PopSci Innovation Award in 2010
  8. OneBreath company web site ($4,000 low cost respirator vs. $35,000 traditional solution)
  9. $500 pandemic ventilator from Canada
  10. Open Respirator Project on Github

Here is a video showing a DIY ventilator solution:

And here is a video from vacuum manufacturer Gtech in the United Kingdom (UK) showing a prototype they are working on to be entirely powered by the hospital oxygen supply in as simple a way as possible so they can hopefully meet the UK government’s call to make 30,000 ventilators in two weeks:

Just added another video highlighting an improvised design experiment the University of Minnesota is working on with some design partners:

The design team has made all of their designs shown in the University of Minnesota video – open source and available by clicking this REDDIT link

Here is an open source ventilator project out of Germany – The CORESPONSE – COvid19 RESPirator (Open Source):

Cost is about 75 Euros per unit and all of the details of this 3D printed open source project are available by clicking here.

Here is an article (click here) and a video detailing how to turn a snorkeling mask into a non-invasive ventilator:

AgVa Healthcare has produced a low cost ventilator starting at under $700 (according to the video) that leverages an app on the user’s smartphone to control its functions. Another great example of Indian ingenuity that was originally submitted as a comment on this article:

Below is a video from the Lemelson Foundation from 2015 that shares the story of how Matt Callaghan came to start OneBreath Ventilators to create lower cost ventilators for developing countries and the rest of the world after H1N1 Swine Flu never became a problem in the USA thanks to President Obama’s administration proactive steps to protect our country. (Learn more about the design process by reading this Stanford Byers Center for BioDesign article)

OneBreath Ventilator

UPDATE: Just found this video showing how to use one ventilator to save FOUR people – video from the United States’ Center for Disease Control (CDC) – all the details health professionals might need:

CAUTION, this from a doctor in Italy about risks of co-ventilating to be kept in mind as you group people to co-ventilate in a crisis situation:

“This is unfortunately not as good of an idea as it seems. In trauma and shootings, it’s one thing because lung compliance is unlikely to change quickly. However, in ARDS (and COVID19), we expect to have dramatic changes in lung compliance. When one patients lung compliance changes, there is a significant risk of underventilating the patient with lowest compliance and overventilating patients with highest compliance – both potentially deadly. I worry that instead of saving one person, you create a situation where you increase the odds of losing both (or all 4) patients“

BUT, according to Alexander Clarke you can solve this problem with flow restrictors…
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/25808-3d-printed-circuit-splitter-and-flow-restriction-d

Another article detailing previous research and considerations – https://www.saasceo.com/ventilator-capacity/

Vesper Prisma Health

VESper™ is a unique ventilator expansion device that allows a single ventilator to support up to four patients under emergency use authorization by the FDA during times of acute equipment shortages such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Hospitals can apply to receive the free source code and printing specifications for the device, produced using 3D printing technology, the device is developed with material already in use for medical devices and produced at minimal cost:

  • designed to work with ISO standard respiratory connections;
  • allows for appropriate filtering of bacteria and viruses in the ventilator tubing;
  • does not impact the care of other patients connected to the same machine.

SPECIAL BONUS for anyone facing a shortage of protective face shields.

See this article From Design to Mass 3D printing of Medical Shields in Three Days, below is a video highlighting the end result solution from this article:


OR looking for information on DIY hand sanitizer, masks, and protective clothing:

  1. DIY Masks (including comparison of materials)
  2. World Health Organization (WHO) Information on Protective Clothing
  3. World Health Organization (WHO) Information on DIY Hand Sanitizer
  4. WIRED – How to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer

Here is a video showing how to make your own reusable elastomeric respirator (click here for instrutions poster):

And here is a video discussing whether people should wear face masks and how people can use DIY face masks without impacting availability of N95 and surgical masks to healthcare workers:

Here is a video showing how to make face masks to help healthcare workers:

AND here is a link to a PDF of the pattern to make the masks – https://courierpressblogs.com/pdf/howtomakeafacemask.pdf

Additional DIY mask videos can be found here – https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/5-free-diy-face-mask-tutorials-using-fabric

Here is how to make a DIY Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) smock out of a garbage bag thanks to the people at Hefty:

DIY PPE

https://www.hefty.com/handy-hints/articles/diy-poncho-idea-how-to-make-a-trash-bag-raincoat

Doctors and Nurses in Spain and other countries are already having to do this.

And, here is a picture of an ingenious idea of using a headband and buttons to save the ears of healthcare workers from chafing of wearing a mask 13-14 hours a day. Thanks Natasha Smith!

Coronavirus mask and headband solution

And, here is an interesting article about a surgical and N95 mask design that uses salt to help kill viruses like Coronavirus (COVID-19) on masks to improve their effectiveness in protecting the wearer against getting sick

Coronavirus Salt Masks

If you know of other efforts working on creating low cost, quick to produce ventilators, please post as a comment!


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Change Leadership and the Power of Storytelling

Change Leadership and the Power of Storytelling

GUEST POST from Chateau G Pato

Change is an inevitable part of life, especially in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world. Organizations constantly find themselves navigating through various changes, from mergers and acquisitions to technological advancements. However, with change comes challenges, and the success of any change initiative lies in effective change leadership. One powerful tool that change leaders can harness is storytelling. By utilizing the power of stories, leaders can inspire, engage, and drive individuals towards embracing and supporting change. In this article, we will explore two case study examples that highlight the impact of storytelling in change leadership.

Case Study 1: IBM’s Transformation

IBM, a multinational technology company, went through a significant transformation when Lou Gerstner took over as CEO in the early 1990s. Gerstner inherited a struggling organization that was losing its market share and lacked direction. To turn things around, he recognized the need to infuse a new culture within the company and get everyone on board with the forthcoming changes.

Gerstner realized that simply presenting a cold set of data and charts would not be sufficient to inspire and motivate a workforce that had become disillusioned and resistant to change. Instead, he employed the power of storytelling to connect with his employees on a deep emotional level. Gerstner crafted a narrative that focused on IBM’s rich history, its role in shaping the world, and the collective responsibility of each employee to revive the organization.

Through his storytelling, Gerstner effectively conveyed the urgency for change while instilling a sense of pride and purpose. This emotional connection ultimately resulted in the successful turnaround of IBM, transforming it into a leading technology company once again.

Case Study 2: Procter & Gamble’s Innovation Culture

In the early 2000s, Procter & Gamble (P&G) faced the challenge of how to breathe life into their innovation efforts. A.G. Lafley, the CEO at the time, recognized that P&G needed a culture shift to foster creativity, risk-taking, and collaboration across the organization.

Lafley understood that storytelling could bridge the gap between strategic objectives and people’s daily work lives. He implemented a company-wide initiative called “Connect+Develop” that encouraged employees to share stories about their innovative ideas and experiences. These stories, which focused on real people and real challenges, helped employees see the tangible impact of their work and inspire others to think differently.

By creating a storytelling platform, Lafley empowered P&G employees to become change agents and ambassadors for innovation. This cultural shift resulted in numerous successful product launches and allowed P&G to maintain its position as a leader in the consumer goods industry.

The Power of Storytelling

These case studies highlight the transformative power storytelling can have in change leadership. Stories have the ability to evoke emotions, create meaning, build trust, and inspire action. When change leaders effectively communicate their vision and purpose through storytelling, they paint a vivid picture of the future and create a shared understanding among individuals.

Furthermore, storytelling engages both the rational and emotional aspects of individuals, making change feel more relatable and personal. It helps people see how they fit into the narrative and how their contributions are instrumental in achieving the desired change.

Conclusion

Change leadership is crucial during times of transformation within organizations. The power of storytelling as a change leadership tool cannot be underestimated. By crafting compelling narratives that resonate with employees’ experiences and emotions, leaders can bridge the gap between resistance and acceptance, ultimately driving the success of change initiatives.

References:

  • McNamara, C. (n.d.). Transformational Change, IBM Style. Retrieved from https://managementhelp.org/organizationalchange/transformational-change.htm
  • Denning, S. (2011). The case of storytelling in organizational change. Journal of Change Management, 11(3), 325-347.

Image credit: Pixabay

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Using Change Management to Improve Employee Engagement

Using Change Management to Improve Employee Engagement

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

Change is inevitable in today’s fast-paced business environment. Whether it’s implementing new technologies, restructuring departments, or introducing new strategies, organizations constantly need to adapt to stay competitive. However, without effective change management strategies, these changes can lead to resistance, low morale, and disengaged employees. That’s where change management comes into play, not only ensuring smooth transitions but also improving employee engagement.

Change management involves planning, executing, and monitoring the steps necessary to implement change successfully. It focuses on aligning employees with organizational goals, fostering open communication, and addressing concerns throughout the process. By incorporating employee engagement into change management practices, organizations can create a positive and supportive environment, resulting in increased productivity and overall success.

Let’s explore two case study examples that illustrate how organizations have utilized change management to enhance employee engagement:

Case Study 1: Company A – Implementing a New Performance Management System

Company A, a multinational corporation, decided to transform its performance management system from an annual review process to a more collaborative and continuous feedback approach. To ensure successful implementation and higher employee engagement, they employed change management techniques.

Firstly, the company involved employees in the decision-making process. Through focus groups and surveys, employees were asked to provide feedback on the existing performance management system and suggest improvements. This not only made employees feel valued but also allowed them to have a sense of ownership over the changes.

Secondly, Company A provided clear communication about the reasons for the change and how it would benefit employees. Regular town hall meetings, internal newsletters, and training sessions were organized to keep everyone informed and address any concerns. Additionally, the company assigned change champions who served as advocates to facilitate open discussions and provide support to employees during implementation.

The result? Increased employee engagement and satisfaction. Employees felt more empowered and motivated as they received continuous feedback, recognition, and opportunities for growth. The transparent and inclusive change management process helped the transition to the new performance management system, improving overall employee engagement and organizational outcomes.

Case Study 2: Company B – Restructuring for Improved Efficiency

Company B, a mid-sized manufacturing firm, faced declining profits due to increased competition. They implemented a restructuring plan aimed at improving operational efficiency. Recognizing the potential impact on employee engagement, the company used change management techniques to ensure a smooth transition.

Company B began by communicating the need for restructuring and its importance to the company’s future. The senior management team held meetings with employees at all levels, explaining the challenges faced, and how the plan would help the company thrive. During this process, employees were encouraged to provide feedback, share concerns, and suggest possible alternatives.

The company also focused on providing support to the employees affected by the restructuring. Alongside training programs to develop new skills and competencies, Company B implemented a job placement assistance program and created a dedicated support team to address any psychological or emotional stress during the transition.

As a result, employee engagement levels remained stable throughout the restructuring process. Although some positions were eliminated, employees appreciated the open communication, support, and opportunities for growth offered by the company. By utilizing change management techniques, Company B was able to minimize resistance, maintain morale, and ultimately improve employee engagement levels.

Conclusion

Change management is a crucial aspect of organizations’ growth and success. By incorporating strategies that prioritize employee engagement during periods of change, companies can foster a positive environment and minimize the disruption caused by transitions. The case studies of Company A and Company B demonstrate how effective change management techniques can result in improved employee engagement, leading to higher productivity, better employee satisfaction, and continued organizational growth.

Image credit: Pixabay

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Design Thinking for Innovation: Strategies to Generate New Ideas

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

Innovation is the driving force behind the success of any organization. In a rapidly evolving world, businesses need to constantly generate new ideas and find creative solutions to stay ahead of the competition. Design thinking has emerged as a powerful approach to encourage innovation by putting the user at the center of the problem-solving process. By empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing, design thinking enables organizations to come up with innovative solutions that meet user needs and exceed expectations. In this article, we will explore two case study examples that showcase the effectiveness of design thinking in generating new ideas and fostering innovation.

Case Study 1: Airbnb

Airbnb, an online marketplace for vacation rentals, revolutionized the hospitality industry by utilizing design thinking principles. In the early stages, the founders faced the challenge of building trust between strangers to ensure the success of their platform. Understanding the user’s perspective, the founders discovered that potential guests were hesitant to stay at someone else’s home due to the lack of trust and a fear of the unknown.

To tackle this challenge, Airbnb employed design thinking methodologies to generate innovative ideas. They conducted extensive research, interviewing potential users to understand their concerns and needs. This empathetic approach allowed them to identify the key issues users faced and guided their problem-solving process.

One innovative idea that emerged from this process was the concept of a verified host and guest system. By implementing a robust identity verification process, Airbnb reassured users about the trustworthiness of hosts and guests. This solution helped build trust and elevated the user experience, resulting in increased adoption rates and rapid growth for the company.

Case Study 2: IDEO’s Shopping Cart Project

IDEO, a global design and innovation company, undertook a unique design thinking project aimed at reimagining the shopping cart experience for customers. The project began with deep empathy research, where IDEO’s designers immersed themselves in the customers’ environment, observing their shopping behaviors, and interviewing them to understand their pain points.

After identifying the key challenges, IDEO’s design team brainstormed numerous ideas to improve the shopping cart. They came up with concepts like “the cart as a companion” and “smart shopping carts” which featured innovative functionalities such as personalized shopping recommendations, quick check-out options, and even mobile charging stations.

Prototyping and testing played a vital role in refining the ideas. IDEO created physical prototypes and simulated shopping experiences, allowing real users to test and provide feedback. This iterative process helped IDEO narrow down the design options and eventually develop a more user-centric shopping cart that better aligned with customers’ needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Design thinking has proven to be an effective strategy for generating new ideas and fostering innovation. By prioritizing empathy, defining the problem, brainstorming concepts, prototyping, and testing, companies like Airbnb and IDEO have been able to create transformative solutions that push the boundaries of traditional thinking. By adopting design thinking methodologies, organizations can unlock their creative potential, adapt to changing market demands, and gain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Bottom line: Futurists are not fortune tellers. They use a formal approach to achieve their outcomes, but a methodology and tools like those in FutureHacking™ can empower anyone to be their own futurist.

Image credit: Pexels

References:
– Brown, T. (2008). Design Thinking. Harvard Business Review, 86(6), 84-92.
– Kelley, T., & Kelley, D. (2013). Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All. Crown Business.
– Liedtka, J., & Ogilvie, T. (2011). Designing for Growth: A Design Thinking Toolkit for Managers. Columbia University Press.

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Innovation Through Experimentation

Strategies for Rapid Iteration

Innovation Through Experimentation

GUEST POST from Chateau G Pato

In today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving business landscape, innovation is the key to staying ahead of the competition. However, traditional approaches to innovation may not be enough to keep up with rapidly changing customer needs and preferences. To foster innovation, organizations must embrace a culture of experimentation and adopt strategies for rapid iteration. In this article, we will explore the importance of experimentation in driving innovation and discuss two case study examples to illustrate successful implementation.

Case Study 1: Google’s “20% Time”

One of the most famous examples of fostering innovation through experimentation is Google’s “20% time.” This initiative allows employees to spend 20% of their workweek, or one day, working on projects that interest them outside of their core responsibilities. This flexible structure encourages employees to explore new ideas and experiment with innovative solutions.

One notable outcome of Google’s 20% time is the creation of Gmail. Originally developed as an experiment by a Google engineer, the project emerged from the employee’s personal interest in improving email communication. Through rapid iteration and continuous experimentation, Gmail was refined and eventually launched as one of Google’s most successful products. This case study demonstrates how giving employees the freedom to experiment can lead to significant innovation and long-term success.

Case Study 2: Amazon’s A/B Testing

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, is renowned for its customer-centric approach and its relentless pursuit of innovation. One of the strategies Amazon uses to continuously iterate and improve its offerings is A/B testing. By testing different variations of a webpage, product listing, or feature, Amazon gathers quantitative data to make informed decisions about which version performs better. This data-driven approach allows them to quickly adapt and optimize their offerings to meet customer expectations.

An example of Amazon’s A/B testing is its product recommendation engine. By experimenting with different algorithms and design variations, Amazon continuously refines its recommendation engine to provide highly personalized and relevant product suggestions. This iterative process has played a significant role in enhancing the customer experience, boosting sales, and establishing Amazon as an industry leader.

Key Strategies for Rapid Iteration

1. Embrace Failure as Learning: Encourage a culture where failure is seen as an opportunity to learn and improve. Failure should not be punished but celebrated as a stepping stone towards success. By fostering an environment that values experimentation and risk-taking, organizations can encourage employees to think creatively and push boundaries.

2. Establish Rapid Feedback Loops: Implement processes that allow for quick feedback and iteration. Regularly gather feedback from customers, employees, and other stakeholders to identify areas for improvement. This feedback loop enables organizations to make iterative changes based on real-world data and inputs, leading to more relevant and effective solutions.

3. Set Clear Goals and Metrics: Clearly define innovation goals and establish measurable metrics to track progress. By setting concrete objectives, organizations can evaluate the success of their experiments and measure the impact on key performance indicators. This data-driven approach helps focus efforts on what truly matters and ensures that innovation initiatives align with overall business objectives.

Conclusion

Innovation through experimentation is crucial for organizations aiming to thrive in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. By adopting strategies for rapid iteration, businesses can foster a culture that encourages and celebrates innovation. The case study examples of Google’s “20% time” and Amazon’s A/B testing demonstrate how organizations can drive significant innovation by allowing employees to experiment and by leveraging quantitative data to inform decision-making. By embracing failure, establishing feedback loops, and setting clear goals and metrics, organizations can unleash their creative potential, adapt to evolving market dynamics, and stay ahead of the competition.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Braden Kelley’s Experiment Canvas™ can be a super useful FREE tool for your innovation or human-centered design pursuits.

“The Experiment Canvas™ is designed to help people instrument for learning fast in iterative new product development (NPD) or service development activities. The canvas will help you create new innovation possibilities in a more visual and collaborative way for greater alignment, accountability, and more successful outcomes.”

Image credit: misterinnovation.com

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Futures Research and the Evolution of the Global Economy

Futures Research and the Evolution of the Global Economy

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and complex, understanding the future of the global economy is of paramount importance. Businesses, governments, and individuals alike are constantly seeking ways to navigate the ever-changing economic landscape. In this article, we will explore the field of futures research and examine two case studies that highlight its significance in predicting and shaping the evolution of the global economy.

Futures research, also known as foresight or futurology, is a systematic approach that anticipates and analyzes potential future developments and their consequences. By employing various methodologies such as scenario planning, trend analysis, and simulation modeling, futures researchers aim to minimize uncertainty and inform decision-making for a wide range of stakeholders.

Case Study 1 – Green Energy

One prominent case study that illustrates the impact of futures research on the global economy is the rise of green energy. In the early 2000s, as concerns about climate change and the depletion of fossil fuel resources grew, some researchers and organizations began exploring alternative sources of energy. Through futures research, they identified the potential for renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, to become cost-competitive with traditional energy sources.

By accurately predicting the decreasing costs and increasing efficiency of renewable energy technologies, futures researchers enabled governments and investors to allocate resources towards the development and deployment of these technologies. As a result, the global renewable energy industry experienced tremendous growth, contributing to the de-carbonization of economies worldwide and creating new opportunities for job creation and economic development.

Case Study 2 – Digital Economy

Another compelling case study that showcases the power of futures research is the evolution of the digital economy. In the 1990s, as the internet and digital technologies began to reshape various industries, futurists predicted the transformative impact they would have on the global economy. By identifying trends such as the rise of e-commerce, the sharing economy, and the proliferation of digital platforms, futurists helped business leaders and policymakers anticipate and adapt to the emerging digital landscape.

These insights enabled companies to invest in digital infrastructure, innovate new business models, and enhance their competitiveness in the global market. Governments, too, recognized the importance of fostering digital ecosystems and created regulatory frameworks that facilitated the growth of digital industries. Today, the digital economy is a dominant force, driving innovation and connectivity across the globe and significantly influencing economic growth.

Conclusion

In both case studies, futures research played a vital role in shaping the evolution of the global economy. By accurately anticipating future trends and developments, researchers and practitioners were able to inform strategic decisions, allocate resources effectively, and align their organizations with the changing economic landscape. Since uncertainty is inherent in any forecast, futures research provides a valuable tool to navigate uncertainty and plan for the future.

As we move forward, the importance of futures research will only continue to grow. Challenges such as climate change, automation, and geopolitical shifts require foresight and proactive planning. By investing in futures research, individuals, organizations, and governments can stay ahead of the curve, understand potential risks and opportunities, and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the global economy.

Bottom line: Futurists are not fortune tellers. They use a formal approach to achieve their outcomes, but a methodology and tools like those in FutureHacking™ can empower anyone to be their own futurist.

Image credit: Pixabay

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Human-Centered Design and Agile Methodologies

A Powerful Combination

Human-Centered Design and Agile Methodologies

GUEST POST from Chateau G Pato

In today’s fast-paced and competitive market, organizations are increasingly realizing the importance of incorporating both Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles and Agile methodologies into their product development processes. By doing so, companies are able to create innovative and user-centric products while staying agile and responding swiftly to changing customer needs.

Human-Centered Design is an iterative design approach that focuses on understanding and meeting the needs, desires, and behaviors of end-users. It involves continuously involving users throughout the design process, gaining insights through user research, and incorporating their feedback to build products that truly address their pain points. On the other hand, Agile methodologies emphasize flexibility, collaboration, and adaptive planning, enabling teams to iteratively deliver value through frequent and incremental product releases.

When combining HCD with Agile, organizations can leverage the strengths of both methodologies and achieve remarkable results. Let’s explore two case studies that highlight the power of this combination.

Case Study 1: Airbnb

One of the most prominent examples of successful integration of HCD and Agile methodologies is Airbnb. In its early years, Airbnb faced the challenge of low user engagement and failed to attract users to their platform. Recognizing the importance of putting users at the center of their design strategy, Airbnb embraced HCD principles alongside an Agile development approach.

Airbnb extensively researched the needs and preferences of its target audience, even going as far as sending its designers to live with hosts in different cities to truly understand the user experience. The insights gained from these immersive research experiences helped Airbnb identify pain points and develop innovative features that addressed them effectively.

By integrating Agile methodologies, Airbnb was able to quickly implement and test its design ideas, gaining rapid feedback from users. They released regular updates and constantly improved their app based on user feedback, ensuring that the product remained user-centric. Today, Airbnb is a global leader in the accommodation industry, revolutionizing the way people experience travel.

Case Study 2: Intuit

Intuit, a leading financial software company, is another example of successfully combining HCD and Agile methodologies in their product development process. Intuit’s flagship product, TurboTax, enables users to file taxes easily and efficiently. However, in observance of a common challenge faced by many organizations, Intuit realized that users often dropped out during the tax filing process due to its complexity.

To address this issue, Intuit adopted an HCD approach. They conducted extensive user research, including in-depth interviews and usability testing, to understand the pain points hindering user adoption. Based on these insights, Intuit redesigned their tax filing process to be simpler, more intuitive, and less time-consuming.

Intuit complemented their HCD efforts with an Agile development methodology. By releasing regular updates and engaging with users throughout the development process, Intuit ensured that the changes made aligned with user needs. The incremental approach allowed them to constantly improve the product and significantly reduce customer drop-offs during tax filing.

The integration of HCD and Agile methods played a crucial role in the success of TurboTax, making it the most popular tax preparation software in the market today.

Conclusion

The combination of Human-Centered Design and Agile methodologies has proven to be a powerful tool for organizations seeking to create user-centric and innovative products. The case studies of Airbnb and Intuit demonstrate how this integration can lead to significant improvements in user experiences and overall business success. By prioritizing user needs and leveraging feedback through an iterative and adaptive approach, companies can adapt to changing market requirements while delivering products that make a lasting impact.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Braden Kelley’s Problem Finding Canvas can be a super useful starting point for doing design thinking or human-centered design.

“The Problem Finding Canvas should help you investigate a handful of areas to explore, choose the one most important to you, extract all of the potential challenges and opportunities and choose one to prioritize.”

Image credit: misterinnovation.com

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What Will the Smart Home of the Future Look Like?

What Will the Smart Home of the Future Look Like?

GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia

In recent years, the concept of a smart home has become increasingly popular. From voice-activated virtual assistants to interconnected devices, the technological advancement in home automation has revolutionized the way we live. With rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), it is intriguing to speculate about what the smart home of the future will look like. In this article, we will explore two case studies that offer a glimpse into the potential future of smart homes.

Case Study 1: The Connected Oasis

Imagine walking into a home where everything is interconnected, and your every need is anticipated. This vision of the future smart home is epitomized in the concept of the “Connected Oasis.” One example of this is showcased through the collaboration between Samsung and BMW. The companies are working on integrating their respective technologies to create a seamless experience between the car and the home.

Using artificial intelligence and sensors, the smart home of the future can recognize when the car is approaching and prepare everything accordingly. As you near your home, the lights automatically turn on, the temperature adjusts to your preferred setting, and the door unlocks as you approach it. Once inside, your smart home assistant greets you with personalized suggestions based on your daily routine and preferences. The smart home can even sync with your car, automatically setting GPS directions based on your calendar events or providing traffic updates as you prepare to leave.

Case Study 2: Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Living

With growing concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability, the future smart home is likely to prioritize energy efficiency and sustainable living. The GreenSmartHome project, developed by researchers at the University of Nottingham, envisions a home that utilizes renewable energy sources, maximizes energy efficiency, and encourages eco-friendly practices.

This smart home incorporates various features such as smart thermostats, solar power generation, and energy management systems. By analyzing data from smart sensors and weather forecasts, the home can optimize energy usage by controlling heating, cooling, and lighting systems. The smart home can also provide real-time feedback on energy consumption, offering homeowners insights to reduce their carbon footprint.

Furthermore, the GreenSmartHome integrates waste management systems, promoting recycling and composting practices. It even has a smart garden, where irrigation systems are automatically adjusted based on weather conditions and moisture levels in the soil, ensuring efficient water usage.

Conclusion

The smart home of the future holds vast potential, with a focus on enhanced convenience, interconnectivity, sustainability, and energy efficiency. From the Connected Oasis, where homes and cars seamlessly communicate, to the GreenSmartHome promoting eco-friendly practices, these case studies offer a glimpse into what we can expect from the future of smart homes.

While these concepts may seem like science fiction today, advancements in AI, IoT, and sustainable technologies suggest that these visions are within reach. As technology continues to evolve, the smart home of the future will likely become an integral part of our lives, shaping the way we interact with our homes and the environment.

Bottom line: Futurists are not fortune tellers. They use a formal approach to achieve their outcomes, but a methodology and tools like those in FutureHacking™ can empower anyone to be their own futurist.

Image credit: Pixabay

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