The Algorithm of Ingenuity for Bold Teams and Breakthrough Outcomes
“What many people call impossible may actually only be a limitation
of imagination that can be overcome by better design thinking.”
Prof. Dr. Richard Buchanan, Wicked Problems in Design Thinking, 1992
Our DESIGN THINKING+ (COACH) program is an advanced iteration of the renowned Business Design Thinking method. We’ve enhanced the methodology with cognitive bias mitigation, intercultural competence, and abductive reasoning. Our training empowers coaches and managers to lead teams in discovering breakthrough innovations.
WHAT IS DESIGN THINKING USUALLY APPLIED FOR?
The Application of Design Thinking in the Business World.
TACKLE WICKED PROBLEMS
INCREMENTAL INNOVATION
TEAM BUILDING
Due to its mindset and emphasis on democratic interaction, it is ideal for team building.
AGILE LEADERSHIP
Implementing the design thinking mindset and utilizing its individual components in your company makes it an ideal method for practical agile leadership.
“TOOLS” FOR DAILY BUSINESS, and CO-CREATION
Innovating Through Design Thinking: TEN Examples from Leading Brands
Selected examples of successful Design Thinking Innovations.
Apple Watch Health Features
Apple used Design Thinking to enhance the health features of the Apple Watch, including ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and fall detection. The process involved extensive user research, prototyping, and testing to address user health needs and provide reliable, user-friendly health monitoring
Google – Project Starline
Google used Design Thinking for Project Starline, a high-fidelity video conferencing system. The project involved extensive research on user experiences with remote communication, prototyping advanced display and audio technologies, and iterative testing to create a realistic virtual presence
Tesla – Full Self-Driving (FSD) Software
Tesla applied Design Thinking to develop its FSD software. The iterative process included gathering extensive data from real-world driving, prototyping different autonomous driving features, and continuously refining the software based on user feedback and safety tests
IBM – Quantum Computing
IBM’s approach to quantum computing involved Design Thinking to create user-friendly interfaces for complex quantum systems. The multidisciplinary teams worked closely with end-users to develop intuitive tools and platforms for quantum research and application
Amazon – Alexa
Amazon used Design Thinking to develop Alexa, its voice assistant. The process involved empathizing with users to understand their needs for a hands-free assistant, iterating on voice recognition and natural language processing technologies, and continuously improving based on user interactions
Nike – FlyEase Sneakers
Nike developed FlyEase sneakers using Design Thinking to create shoes that are easy to put on and take off, catering to athletes of all abilities. The design process involved empathizing with users, ideating inclusive design solutions, and iterative prototyping and testing
Microsoft – Surface Duo
Microsoft used Design Thinking to create the Surface Duo, a dual-screen mobile device. The design process involved understanding user needs for multitasking and productivity, prototyping different form factors, and iterating based on user feedback
Samsung – Galaxy Fold
Samsung utilized Design Thinking to develop the Galaxy Fold. The design process involved understanding user desires for larger screens in a portable form factor, prototyping foldable display technologies, and extensive testing to ensure durability and usability
Ford – Mustang Mach-E
Ford applied Design Thinking to create the Mustang Mach-E, an all-electric SUV. The process involved gathering insights on user preferences for electric vehicles, prototyping various designs, and iterating based on user feedback and performance tests
And every day, thousands of new inventions come on top…
The Origin of Design Thinking
“academic design thinking” vs. “Business Design Thinking”
Most Business Design Thinking trainings omit this theoretical background, which is crucial to unleashing the true power of Design Thinking in practice.
“design thinking”,
in the design realm
The term ‘design thinking’ is used in two contexts: once in the design world and once in the business world.
In the design realm, design thinking is a thought process, a way for designers to approach and solve problems.
A designer learns and applies design thinking through intensive years of studying and practicing.
Leonardo Da Vinci certainly never described his way of working as design thinking, but many elements of what the academic design world later referred to as “design thinking” can be found in his way of working.
“Design Thinking”,
in the business realm
In the business realm, Design Thinking is a method, a theoretical construct based on a mindset and process for tackling complex problems and finding innovative solutions.
It is learned through professional training and then applied by a Design Thinking Coach/Manager and Team.
THE FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS DESIGN THINKING
In our program, you will learn the foundations of Business Design Thinking: the mindset, the process, and a variety of tools.
Design Thinking MINDSET
The design thinking mindset is rooted in a user-focused approach to creative problem-solving that prioritizes empathy, curiosity, and iterative learning. It starts with understanding users’ needs and challenges through careful observation and engagement. With a willingness to explore diverse solutions, it encourages brainstorming without judgment and learning from failures.
Design Thinking PROCESS
The design thinking process is a six-step framework that begins with empathizing with users to understand their experiences deeply. Insights from this stage provide a clear definition of the problem that guides the brainstorming of creative solutions. The most promising ideas are then turned into quick prototypes to test with users, allowing for rapid feedback and refinement. This iterative testing and improvement cycle continues until a solution that effectively meets user needs is developed.
Design Thinking TOOLS
In the business realm, Design Thinking is a method, a theoretical construct based on a mindset and process for tackling complex problems and finding innovative solutions.
It is learned through professional training and then applied by a Design Thinking Coach/Manager and Team.
Design Thinking+ RADICAL INNOVATION
Our program features an elevated version of Design Thinking based on academic research. It includes training on mitigating cognitive biases, leveraging abductive reasoning, and coping with intercultural barriers to unlock breakthrough innovations.
COGNITIVE BIASES
Cognitive biases are the unconscious mental barriers hindering creativity during brainstorming sessions. Our program teaches participants to recognize and overcome these barriers, unlocking their full creative potential and expanding their imagination beyond the ordinary.
“… teaching the design thinking process itself, without attending to cognitive barriers, can lead to frustration and produce solutions that are more obvious than innovative.”
Allison G. Butler & Michael A. Roberto (2018) When Cognition Interferes with In-novation: Overcoming Cognitive Obstacles to Design Thinking
“The problem for designers is to conceive and plan what does not yet exist, and this occurs in the context of the indeterminacy of wicked problems before the final result is known..”
Prof. Dr. Richard Buchanan, “Wicked Problems in Design Thinking”, 1992
ABDUCTIVE REASONING
The heart of Design Thinking+ lies in the unique ability of abductive reasoning, imagining things that do not yet exist and turning them into tangible realities. Our special training helps individuals develop this core skill for unprecedented breakthroughs.
INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE
Our program emphasizes the significance of intercultural competencies for effective project collaboration. Training in this area is essential to maximizing the benefits of participants’ diverse cultural backgrounds.
“Combine team members from different cultural backgrounds …, in order to gain from specific positive aspects of one culture, and to balance possible negative aspects.”
Thoring, Luippold, and Mueller, “The Impact of Cultural Differences in Design Thinking Education”, 2014
Design Thinking+ MASTER CLASSES
Our program features an elevated version of Design Thinking based on academic research. It includes training on mitigating cognitive biases, leveraging abductive reasoning, and coping with intercultural barriers to unlock breakthrough innovations.
STORYTELLING
Ideas and concepts, no matter how good they are, rarely have a chance of being implemented if they are not presented properly. In our course, you will learn from day one how to present effectively, turn ideas into stories, and captivate an audience without any aids.
AI AND DESIGN THINKING
AI is now an integral part of our lives. In Design Thinking, especially in its various phases, we have the opportunity to use different AI tools to give our work a new dimension. In our program, we introduce many tools and provide the opportunity to work with them.
LEADING WITH DESIGN THINKING
In our program, you will learn not only how to successfully use Design Thinking for workshops, solving complex problems, and finding innovations but also how to apply the mindset, phases, and tools in your daily work when leading teams and companies.
Our Design Thinking+ Program in a nutshell
Design Thinking+ can’t be learned in three days of training. It needs time, commitment, and willingness to break out of normal thinking patterns to unleash its power and successfully lead teams to breakthrough inventions.
Insights for innovation & Leadership
After this course you’ll be able to…
LEADING INNOVATION & CULTURAL CHANGE as a COACH/MANAGER
Innovation and change are more than mere buzzwords to you; they are your expertise. You excel in successfully navigating and managing user-centered innovation and change processes, whether within a company or as a coach.
Evolving from Creative to Leader of Creatives
As a creative, you’re accustomed to bringing your visions to life. After this course, you’ll master the art of inspiring and leading others to reach new creative heights.
OVERCOMING THE IMPOSSIBLE
Where others see an end, you see a beginning. You thrive on making the impossible possible and are adept at guiding your team through mentally challenging work processes with success.
EXCELLING IN COMPLEX CHALLENGES
You’ll tackle the biggest challenges and most complex problems with newfound ease, whether you’re working alone, leading a team, or running a company.
LEADING MULTICULTURAL & CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS
Navigating the complexities of different cultures and diverse professional backgrounds can be challenging, often unconsciously impeding teamwork and innovation. Discover strategies to turn these challenges into strengths, enhancing both teamwork and your leadership effectiveness.
