Nathan Shedroff, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and educator talks about his new book, A Whole New Strategy, and the importance of design in strategic conversations. They discuss the misconception and lack of quality in strategic work, rethinking business strategy, and the role of designers in clarifying metrics for success. They also explore the concept of 'shift left design' and the importance of strategy as a daily practice.
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Quick takeaways
Addressing the gap between design and strategy is crucial for designers to ensure the alignment of creative briefs and project direction.
Effective strategy requires clarity that encompasses both internal considerations and external factors like customer insights and market conditions.
Deep dives
Connecting Design and Strategy
Designers often touch upon strategy in their work, compensating for inadequate project briefs. They encounter challenges when their creative briefs don't align with the right projects. Many designers have experienced situations where they discover that the initial idea or project direction isn't ideal. However, clients often resist change due to contractual obligations or a lack of business acumen. This highlights the need for designers to understand and address the gap between design and strategy.
The Misconceptions of Strategy
One of the most significant misconceptions about strategy is the assumption that it is done well. In reality, corporate strategy is often flawed due to poor communication, lack of qualitative customer insights, insufficient involvement of relevant stakeholders, and an emphasis on irrelevant or incomplete market and customer information. These issues result in ineffective strategy and the generation of subpar ideas. By addressing these problems and rethinking the practice of strategy, organizations can develop improved strategies that drive success.
The Importance of Clarity in Strategy
Clarity is a crucial aspect of effective strategy. A comprehensive understanding of the market, operational components, context, organization, and future vision is necessary to develop a high-level plan for action. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that the clarity encompasses not only internal considerations but also external factors like customer insights, market conditions, and competitor analysis. By embracing clear and holistic perspectives, organizations can craft strategies that align with both their internal goals and external realities.
The Role of Design in Strategic Thinking
Designers have the potential to contribute significantly to strategic thinking. By providing customer insights, synthesizing data from design research, customer support, and sales, designers can play a substantial role in shaping strategy. To establish design as a strategic function within an organization, designers need to find ways to get their insights and perspectives into strategic discussions. They can achieve this by proactively sharing research, reports, and artifacts that uncover crucial information about customers and market trends, thereby demonstrating the value of design in informing strategic decisions.
Nathan Shedroff is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and educator. Like me, he teaches at the graduate interaction design program of the California College of the Arts. This conversation focuses on his new book, A Whole New Strategy, which teaches strategic thinking.