Stop Making Products that Suck - A Conversation with Debbie Levitt
Jul 10, 2024
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Debbie Levitt, the Mary Poppins of CX and UX, discusses the importance of good UX, challenging conventional wisdom, and the critical role of research in product development. She highlights the need for customer-centricity, prioritizing quality over speed, and empowering researchers within teams. The episode also includes insights on product strategy, incorporating customer feedback, and the evolving landscape of the UX field.
Prioritize customer-centricity and good user experience for successful product development.
Adapt to evolving UX trends and technologies while maintaining a focus on user needs.
Challenge conventional thinking in product management and cultivate a user-centric culture through problem-solving.
Deep dives
The Importance of Customer-Centricity and User Experience
Putting customers first and ensuring a great user experience is crucial for product success. Debbie Levitt, a CX and UX expert, emphasizes the significance of focusing on customer needs and designing products and services that cater to them. By understanding user behavior, preferences, and pain points, companies can deliver effective solutions and create meaningful experiences.
The Evolution of User Experience and Design
User experience and design have undergone significant changes over the years, driven by advancements in technology and the introduction of new devices. While the fundamental principles of user-centric design remain consistent, the shift towards mobile interfaces and innovative technologies has reshaped the UX landscape. Companies must adapt to these changes while maintaining a focus on user needs and preferences.
Challenging Conventional Wisdom in Product Management
Debbie advocates for challenging traditional thinking in product management and user experience. She highlights the importance of maintaining a user-centric approach and avoiding overly business-focused strategies. By reframing UX and product management as problem-finding and problem-solving disciplines, companies can cultivate a more customer-oriented culture.
The Value of Research in Product Development
Debbie stresses the critical role of research in product development and strategy. She addresses common misconceptions about research being time-consuming and emphasizes its importance in informing decision-making and avoiding costly mistakes. By prioritizing thorough research and evidence-based strategies, companies can enhance their products and deliver better customer experiences.
Empowering UX and Research Teams
Product managers can enhance the productivity of user experience (UX) and research teams by providing early support rather than getting too involved in the details. By enabling and empowering these teams, product managers can focus on facilitating the necessary resources and communication channels for them to carry out essential research effectively. This collaborative approach allows for timely and insightful studies to be conducted, leading to informed stakeholder decisions and strategic priorities.
Challenges in Entering the UX Field
The field of user experience (UX) is facing challenges, with fewer job opportunities and decreasing salaries, making it a tough industry to enter. The speaker advises against transitioning into UX unless one has a strong passion for it due to the current unfavorable conditions. Companies are cutting down on UX roles, favoring a generalist approach over specialists, leading to a lack of opportunities for newcomers. The current tech landscape's focus on generalism and lack of emphasis on expertise is contributing to the struggles faced by those trying to enter the UX field.
In this episode of Prodity: Product by Design, Kyle interviews Debbie Levitt, often referred to as the Mary Poppins of CX and UX. With a wealth of experience in strategy, research, and customer experience, Debbie shares her insights on the importance of good UX, the need to challenge conventional wisdom, and the critical role of research in product development. Whether you're a product manager, designer, or someone passionate about customer experience, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable tips about making products that don't suck.
Debbie Levitt
Debbie Levitt, MBA, is the CXO of Delta CX, and since the mid-1990s has been a CX and UX consultant focused on strategy, research, training, and Human-Centered Design/User-Centered Design. She’s a change agent and business design consultant focused on helping companies of all sizes transform towards customer-centricity while using principles of Agile and Lean.
Clients have given her the nickname, “Mary Poppins,” because she flies in, improves everything she can, sings a few songs, and flies away to her next adventure.
