Design thinking tools and strategy Tools such as the Customer interview, the Stakeholders Map, or the Customer Journey Map, widely used in design thinking, are typically associated with
product development. We dive deeply into customers' experiences to identify their expectations, feelings, pain points, etc. It helps us look at a product, software, or service from a customer's point of view. Then, based on this data and using a set of tools under the name of "
ideation," we try to convert these insights into new products and solutions. From this perspective, design thinking tools look applied, in accordance with Liedtka's views.
Strategy first, design thinking second. But after using design thinking ideas in dozens of
my strategic projects, I have concluded that they can be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for strategic decisions. Thus, traveling through the world of their customer's expectations and impressions, one of my customer's team invented a new business model for their chain of cafes. They called it "
fast coffee", and this idea was revolutionary for their country at that moment. While Mcdonald's and Burger King were installing large self-service screens in their restaurants, and long lines were normal for Starbucks, these guys created a mobile app that let a customer order a coffee and a dessert even before they entered a cafe. Their cafes were mainly in big cities where people were always in a hurry, so they highly appreciated the idea of ordering a cup of coffee-to-go on their way, paying for it with an in-app payment service, and collecting it in a minute in a cafe. Add to it some other valuable features that many mobile apps offer, such as repeating one's previous order. Moreover, an app is a two-way communication channel - customers can get special offers and discounts based on their previous purchases.
That accessories manufacturer also stumbled upon a new business model - thanks to design thinking tools. First, they began to rent the machinery out instead of selling it, and then they launched another strategic initiative - service instead of machines. They realized that their customers didn't need excavators, they needed excavations, and there were many ways to get this job done (Clayton Christensen's ideas were of much help as well in the course of this project).
Even if your goal is to expand your business to some other countries, if you consider taking over a rival, or contemplate buying a new equipment for your factory, all these and many other possible strategic moves at the end of the day boil down to a simple fact -
your customers are the only source of your prosperity. And to make them satisfied you need to know everything about them. And design thinking tools are very helpful for this task.
If you need help identifying your customers' needs or/and using design thinking tools for strategic purposes, send me a message. Follow me on
Twitter. Watch video versions of these articles on my
YouTube channel.