You can review the latest Business in Vancouver book review below, which features contributions from UBC Library’s Jan Wallace and UBC Bookstore’s Treena Chambers.
This article from Business in Vancouver, April 13-19, 2010; issue 1068
Book Reviews: New approach to management pushes innovation by design
Design Thinking: Integrating Innovation, Customer Experience and Brand Value
Edited by Thomas Lockwood
Allworth Press, 2010
Step aside Six Sigma – a new management doctrine has come to town.
Design thinking and its related stages, design management and design strategy, have come to the forefront of global business consciousness.
At a time when customers expect every product and service to be reliable, quality is no longer a differentiator. Innovation is the new differentiator, and design thinking is being seen as a way to drive innovation – not just in product and service design, but in forming corporate strategy and, ultimately, in improving every aspect of business performance.
This book is a compilation of essays by prominent design thinkers from editor Thomas Lockwood – president of Design Management Institute and former design manager at Sun Microsystems and StorageTek – to those at brand agencies, design consultancies and universities around the world.
As an innovation process, design thinking involves several key tenets:
•develop a deep, holistic understanding of the customer – not just consumption habits but the customer’s life outside the product in question;
•collaborate through interdisciplinary teams and with users to evaluate the concept or problem;
•quickly prototype and re-prototype the product, service or process;
•include visualization methods to experiment; and
•throughout the process, include concurrent business analysis to keep the thinking aligned with business opportunities and strategic goals
This kind of integrated breakthrough thinking has led to the dozens of examples described in the book, including the creation of Thinsulate/Goretex, 1st Source Bank’s addition of 50 new branches, Whole Foods’ focus on customer lifestyles and Steelcase’s successful overseas expansion.
Because the book is a dense read it might best be consumed over several weeks. In places, the fervency of the writing has the zeal of religious dogma, but the practical suggestions ring true, and I have already made use of design thinking in planning a service for our new Learning Commons at the UBC Sauder School of Business.
The new design management thought trend is worth knowing and applying to organizational products, services and business processes. •
Jan Wallace is head of the David Lam Management Research Library at UBC’s Sauder School of Business.
The 60 Second Innovator: 60 Solid Techniques for Creative & Profitable Ideas at Work
By Jeff Davidson
Adams Media, 2009
It takes one to know one. In The 60 Second Innovator, Davidson gives you the tools to challenge yourself, your staff and your co-workers to address challenges with a fresh set of eyes looking toward a more creative resolution.
The book is divided into six sections, and each one offers tips that will help you find your own creativity and help you be seen as an innovator in your workplace.
Davidson’s humour and direct approach will help you find your inner innovator and recognize those in your workplace who can support you to achieve.
Design Revolution: 100 Products That Empower People
By Emily Pilloton
Metropolis Books, 2009
Design Revolution: 100 Products that Empower People makes the case that smart design can create a better world. In this book you will see how Pilloton’s initial challenge to designers – design products to empower people, move beyond being “stuff creators” to become change-makers – has led to safer baby bottles, DIY soccer balls, low-cost prosthetics for landmine victims and even a better bucket to carry water. Who knew a fire extinguisher could be sexy? Beautiful photos and engaging product explanations point us in the direction design should be going. Inspiring and engaging. •
Treena Chambers is the marketing technology co-ordinator at UBC Bookstore.
