Design
Thinking

“Innovation is about meeting the unmet unarticulated needs of customers. What’s the source of it? You could say it’s design thinking, but design thinking is empathy.” Satya Nadella

“Human-centered design is a philosophy, not a precise set of methods, but one that assumes that innovation should start by getting close to users and observing their activities.” Donald Norman, CEO of Nielsen Norman

Companies that excel at design grow revenues and shareholder returns at nearly twice the rate of their industry peers. (source: McKinsey)

Modern Mindware

Design thinking is a practical way to solve real problems. It starts with a simple habit. Look at the situation with fresh eyes and set aside “how we do things here.” I am not looking for perfect ideas. I am looking for a clearer view of the problem and the people affected by it. When the view is clear, useful options appear.

The first move is understanding people. We spend time with customers or users in their context. We watch what they do, ask plain questions, and note what they struggle with. Data helps, but direct observation tells me where the friction lives. From that, we frame the problem in a way that is specific, testable, and tied to a real need. We linger here, obsessed by a desire to understand the human beings behind the ‘customer’ label.

Then we use a light process to move ideas forward. We open the space for many options, even rough ones. We work with a mixed team so we see the problem from different angles; that friction and collision of perspectives is crucial. We pick a few ideas that best match the need and make them tangible fast. Paper, clickable mockups, simple service walk-throughs. The goal is learning, not polish.

Testing is where the risk comes down. We put the simplest version in front of real users and look for evidence. What do they understand. Where do they hesitate. What do they ignore. We keep the cycles short. Each round tells us what to keep, what to change, and what to drop. Progress looks like fewer assumptions and clearer proof.

Design thinking is not a grand theory, or a rigid five step formula for guaranteed success. There’s no such thing. It is a set of learned behaviours that teams can practice and ultimately excel at. Go see the problem, dwell on it. embrace it and fall in love with it. Name it clearly. Generate options with variety. Prototype quickly. Test with real people. Measure what improves. When we work this way, we build solutions that fit the need, reduce waste, and earn support from the people who matter.

Design Thinking isn’t a script nor a linear process to go from vague idea to a winning final product or service. Instead, Design Thinking offers you and easy to learn and understand mental framework you can leverage time and time again to ‘get untangled’ and move towards innovative solutions.

Marc Mekki

Design Thinker, MIT Sloan Certified

I had the distinct pleasure of collaborating with you during the “Digital Accelerator” program, a joint venture between Commercial Bank of Dubai and PwC aimed at fostering innovation through design thinking.

Your expertise in innovation and strategy brought a fresh perspective to our discussions, inspiring us to think creatively and embrace new methodologies. Your facilitation skills were particularly noteworthy, enabling a productive and engaging environment for all participants. The insights and knowledge you shared have been invaluable to our journey towards digital transformation.

Your ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner made a significant impact on our team, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of design thinking in the banking sector. The enthusiasm and professionalism you brought to the program were truly commendable.

I am grateful for the opportunity to work with you and my batch and look forward to the possibility of future collaborations. Your contribution to our program has left a lasting impression, and I am confident that your guidance will continue to inspire innovation in the industry.

Thank you for your invaluable contributions and insights. I wish you continued success in your endeavors

Muhammad Alamer

Senior Relationship Manager - Elite Priority Banking, Commercial Bank of Dubai

Design Thinking Training

What would be the impact for your business or organisation if your teams or your c-suite could unleash the kind of pent-up creativity and resourcefulness that propels productivity, morale and bottom line to new heights?

In a volatile and changing world where disruptive business models startups and geo-politics can wreak havoc out of the blue, can you really afford NOT to wield the tools and techniques that even the world’s most powerful companies leverage to survive and thrive?

The price for inaction in the 2020’s is becoming untenably high while the dynamics of work are changing in front of our eyes on what seems like a daily basis. Design Thinking will empower your teams and give them the confidence to excel.

Design Thinking training is not only highly engaging, practical and interactive, it is also deeply collaborative as teams have to put learnings into proactive during hands-on assignments. The courses are therefore not just powerful learning and development sessions but also excellent team building opportunities.

THREE-DAY INTENSIVE

An intensive and immersive leap into the world of Design Thinking, created for teams ready and willing to absorb and practice this broad methodology within a limited time frame.

Three consecutive 8-hour days

Virtual or Onsite

FIVE-DAY BOOTCAMP

This flagship program meticulously unpacks the Design Thinking methodology while leaving ample time for hands-on practice and small group assigments to implement the techniques.

Five consecutive 6 to 8 hour days

Virtual or Onsite

CUSTOM PROGRAM

Impossible to allocate consecutive days for your Design Thinking course? No problem, with a custom program we can gradually train your team in as little as 4 hours per week.

From 4 hours per week

Virtual

Does it work?

Design-driven companies such as Apple, Coca-Cola, IBM, Nike, Procter & Gamble, and Whirlpool have outperformed the S&P 500 over the past 10 years by an accumulated 211% in what’s called the Design Value Index—a portfolio of 16 publicly traded companies that integrate design thinking into corporate strategy. According to a 2016 report from the Design Management Institute, this marks the third consecutive year the index has shown an excess of 200% over the S&P 500.

But Design Thinking isn’t just for elite Fortune 500 corporations, far from it. The principles of Design Thinking have been applied across sectors and industries, from museums to healthcare and non-profits to personal care.

GET IN TOUCH

Every relationship starts with a conversation. I’d love to hear from you to discuss how I can add value and significance to your project, audience or customers.

Please fill out the form or you can connect with me on Linkedin where I’m active on a daily basis, I welcome all new connections.