1.     What is design thinking?

Design thinking is a five-step approach that helps entrepreneurs change the way they solve problems for the end users.  The five steps of design thinking include:  empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test.  In the first step, we empathize and put ourselves in the end users’ shoes unbiasedly to understand the feelings and requirements of the end users.  The second step we define the problem by analyzing and filtering the insights collected in step one to determine exactly what we are trying to solve for the end users.  The third step is to ideate or come up with all the possible solutions to the defined problem.  The final step is to create a prototype or mockup of the solution to the problem. 

2.     How has design thinking influenced a product I use?

Design thinking has influenced Netflix, an on-demand streaming service that I use to watch movies and television shows.  Netflix utilized design thinking by prioritizing user wants.  Netflix combined user wants with internet and technology advancements to deliver streaming services, which not only provided to user preferences but also saved them time and money, enabling access from anywhere users choose.  Netflix continues to incorporate design thinking into its user interface and features based on end user feedback, such as personalized recommendations that help users find content that matches their preferences.  Netflix maintains its success by focusing on the needs of the end user.

3.     What are the connections between opportunities and planning?

The connection between opportunities and planning is how they complement each other.  Identifying opportunities indicates an organized approach to the market, that serves as the foundation for effective planning.  When analyzing opportunities, you are basically making future predictions, and this process is dependent on extensive research to understand market forecasts and trends.  Planning requires creating an infrastructure, a plan that outlines the activities, and the resources to capitalize on the identified opportunities.  Opportunities direct the course of planning, and planning is the strategic framework that converts opportunities into plans.

4.     What opportunities have I missed?

I missed out on an opportunity to graduate last spring because of a decision I had to make a year before.  It was a challenging time for me since I had to balance several responsibilities, including work, school, and family commitments.  I made the difficult decision to withdraw from two classes a year ago, which pushed me behind a semester to graduate.  While this setback was disappointing, I knew that maintaining a balance between work, education, and family was crucial for my well-being from the stress of being burnt out.  Although it delayed my graduation, this experience has allowed me to re-examine my priorities and plan more effectively to ensure that I can achieve my educational goals while managing my work and family responsibilities more efficiently in the future.         

5.     Can a successful venture be unethical?

I believe a successful venture can be unethical.  Adidas is an example of a successful firm that had been in the news in the past due to forced labor, low wages, and unsafe working conditions in its supply factories.  A company like Adidas might prioritize profit over ethical factors and still be successful but their unethical ways may lose customers.  While Adidas may take steps to address the unethical issues, there is always the significant impact of these unethical business practices that cannot be erased.  Businesses should embrace good ethical practices to build a reputation of trust and confidence to their customers.