For the industries outside of the tech world design can be an afterthought. The tech community, known for innovation is on every corner with creative work environments places a premium on design. Other companies that have reinvented themselves have made design and innovation a priority as a means to get ahead. ( Netflix has reinvented itself three times). In the technologies of tomorrow design is function and aesthetic. Easy to use, cost may or may not be attractive, but its going to look good.
What does that mean for those of us in the more traditional and corporate entities?
It means design has often been an afterthought and though some areas of the business are innovative concepts, other aspects are lagging. It also means you have an opportunity to change this. You have an opportunity to play a part in your companies success, and you can share in the glory.
In support of the main product traditional companies pursue functionality and cost. Maybe the project is even perceived as being highly efficient. It may be ugly, hard to use, adoption may be low, but be sure the price is right. At least the sticker price, the real price could be sky high.
This year Forbes claimed that once revolutionary concepts like Lean Six Sigma kills innovation. ( See Link Below)
How does the poster child for postwar Japanese efficiency do that?
And why do we as professionals accept poor design, where the lack of usability will likely hinder adoption even if the “most efficient”? Maybe development and implementation timelines increase with a focus on design. Maybe upfront costs go higher, but where is the discussion on traditional companies embracing new ways of thinking? Its almost bizarre that investors in tech companies love risk, where blue chip stock holders want stability.
Maybe companies need to pursue new investment. Can traditional companies with as much if not more upside that some start ups attract investors willing to ride the risk train to the top?
To be clear, innovation and modern business ideas arent always a good thing. Note the report on Lean Six Sigma. Also note the major companies reeling in flexible work arrangements. (Yahoo, Bank of America, Best Buy).
What I AM saying is that for companies on the ropes, why not get a little crazy? There are risk averse ways to take risk. Its called moderate risk, and it can work with a plan for implementation and adoption. It can work when your employees are behind it, and when leadership no matter how traditional is willing to see it through.
If you are the employee, in the trenches? Focus on design, even if its guerrilla design. Maybe you run a project and the better solution costs more. Find a way to get it done if you know its right. Find a way to run a test scenario if it really is impossible to go all the way. Maybe you will make the case to go take the higher road.
Build a little test a little was a mantra of a deceased legendary US Navy Admiral (Wayne Meyer) when he wanted to revolutionize the technology of the cold war Fleet.
Go ahead, think about design, visualize the end goal. Even if no one else will.