Show me, don’t tell me.
The last few days of Technology Innovation Week have certain been a showcase of some of New Zealand’s most innovative companies and entrepreneurial brains - we have it in spades! I’ve made some fantastic new connections and learned a lot about what really makes - and works in - innovative organisations.
The last few days have also re-enforced my belief that when considering needs and opportunities we need to adopt the ‘show me, don’t tell me’ approach - both to understanding the problem but also demonstrating solutions and ideas. Always focusing on being customer centric and tied up with being product centric.
With so many different prototyping tools and aids there really is no excuse to put up dull swim-lane process maps or war & peace requirements documentation (they have their place but it should be by exception rather than being the norm).
Most recently I have been working on a project aiming to increase voluntary compliance with biosecurity regulation for non-english speakers coming to New Zealand. Whilst we have used interpreters to gather input and feedback I would have to say its probably been our least effective engagement tool. Prototypes and mock-up (even basic cardboard ones) have been far more effective in understanding the view of the customer as well as presenting ideas and prototypes back to travelers.
So I challenge you to adopt this as your mantra too - Show me, don’t tell me.