Episode 59 - Navigating the Challenges of UX in Real World Business Situations with Joe Natoli
Sep 12, 2023
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Joe Natoli, a veteran in the field of UX research, discusses the challenges newcomers face, including the disconnect between education and industry realities. He emphasizes the importance of understanding personal motivations and collaborating for greater impact. The podcast also highlights the challenges of implementing UX research in the real world, presenting research results effectively, and the importance of collaboration and communication in UX.
Understanding personal motivations and embracing collaboration are crucial for successful UX outcomes.
In order to increase the value of UX research, aligning it with business goals and addressing stakeholders' concerns is essential.
Deep dives
Importance of Understanding the Gap between Education and Reality
Newcomers in the field of UX research often struggle with the disconnect between what they were taught in their education and the real challenges they face in corporate environments. The larger the organization, the wider this gap becomes. Traditional education tends to focus on idealistic and perfect world scenarios, but in reality, there are politics, power plays, and differing agendas that can hinder the impact of UX professionals. It is crucial to acknowledge and navigate these obstacles to make a meaningful impact in the field of UX research.
Key Insights into Decision-Making and Communication Strategies
Joe Natoli, an experienced UX professional, shares valuable insights into decision-making and communication strategies. He emphasizes the importance of understanding personal motivations, addressing fears, and embracing collaboration to drive successful UX outcomes. These insights can help UX professionals overcome opposition and align teams to achieve greater impact in driving business success.
Overcoming Challenges in Conducting User Research
One of the biggest challenges faced by newcomers in UX research is the disconnect between what they were taught about user research methods and how things actually work in organizations. Often, there is resistance to conducting user research, with stakeholders believing they already know what users want. This can be driven by fear and a desire to avoid confirming uncomfortable truths. UX professionals need to navigate these challenges by finding alternative approaches, such as making low-risk changes based on available information and seeking insights from subject matter experts and other relevant stakeholders.
The Importance of Aligning Business Goals and UX Research
The podcast emphasizes the need to align business goals and UX research in order to achieve successful outcomes. While UX professionals care deeply about user-centered design, it is crucial to understand that stakeholders and decision-makers in organizations prioritize specific outcomes and results. By presenting research findings and recommendations in a way that directly addresses their concerns and responsibilities, UX professionals can increase the likelihood of their research being valued and acted upon.
Aurelius Podcast - Episode 59 highlights with Joe Natoli:
- The importance of getting personal to influence decisions
- Getting buy in for UX Research from stakeholders and other teams
- Soft skills for making a bigger impact with research and insights
- How new UX Researchers can bridge the gap in the disconnect between the learning environment and real world situations at big companies
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