Design thinking requires a clear vision and strategy to drive innovation and create extraordinary value for people.
Resources are not the key variable in applying design thinking; understanding people's needs through direct interaction and finding mentors are more important.
Deep dives
Understanding the Power of Design to Drive Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
Mauro Portini, PepsiCo's first chief design officer, discusses the power of design to drive sustainable and inclusive growth. He describes the concept of 'unicorns,' ideal innovators who care about creating something extraordinary for people. Portini emphasizes the importance of balancing the ability to dream with the ability to make things happen, and highlights the need for a clear vision and strategy to drive innovation. He also emphasizes the importance of kindness, empathy, and curiosity in design and innovation.
Putting the Human Back in Innovation
Portini discusses the significance of putting the human back in innovation and design. He highlights the need to understand people's needs, wants, frustrations, and dreams to create meaningful and relevant solutions. He emphasizes the importance of building a culture within organizations that focuses on creating extraordinary value for people. Portini argues that in a rapidly changing and competitive landscape, organizations need to prioritize being consumer-centric and focus on creating genuine value for people.
Embedding Design Thinking in Organizations
Portini shares his experience of embedding design thinking in PepsiCo and other organizations. He explains the five phases he went through to build a new culture and how he prioritized finding co-conspirators within the company who were willing to take a leap of faith and champion the new culture. Portini also highlights the importance of aligning and committing to the new culture, and how the right people, with the right mindset and skills, can drive innovation and design within an organization.
Applying Design Thinking in the Public Sector
Portini addresses the challenge of applying design thinking in the public sector with limited resources and staffing levels. He emphasizes that resources are not the key variable in applying design thinking and highlights the importance of understanding people's needs through direct interaction. Portini suggests focusing on creating awareness, practicing design thinking, and finding mentors who can guide and support individuals in their journey towards becoming better innovators and designers.
PepsiCo design chief Mauro Porcini talks about the role of humanity and authenticity in driving innovation.
Innovation requires commitment. In this episode of The Committed Innovator podcast, McKinsey innovation expert Erik Roth talks with PepsiCo senior vice president and chief design officer Mauro Porcini about how design thinking can help create that commitment and free people to innovate.
