Shacara Pitre
CYSE 494
January 24, 2023
Week 2 Journal Entries
- What is design thinking?
Design thinking encourages people to explore new alternatives creating options that may not have existed before. It focuses on the needs of the user and it is about understanding the context and culture of the stakeholders involved. This is found using direct observation and qualitative data which produces stories that people can empathize with. Once research has been conducted, the problem solver can then define what the problem is. From there, they can brainstorm new ideas without the constraints of existing solutions. Design thinkers learn by doing, so they test their ideas and theories in the real world. They provide a method and unifying language for multidisciplinary collaboration leading to more creativity and faster solutions.
- How has design thinking influenced a product I use?
A product that I use that design thinking has influenced would be Netflix, which is a popular streaming service. Netflix uses a subscription service to provide consumers with movies and tv shows without the inconvenience of having to pick a DVD up. Blockbuster was its main competitor at the start, but Netflix eliminated having to go pick up and return DVDs at the store. Also, they provide consumers with original exclusive content that doesn’t premiere on regular networks. Netflix makes updates quite frequently to stay up to date and to accommodate the needs of their consumers. For instance, they improved its user’s experience by adding short trailers to its platform.
- What are the connections between opportunities and planning?
Opportunities and planning go hand in hand. Having a good plan and goals in mind will lead to more opportunities than not having a plan to go by. Planning allows you to see the grand scheme of things. In other words, it allows you to see the big picture, so that you can change or revise as needed. This will ensure that the right opportunities come along for the business. Without a plan, a business fails leading to no future opportunities for growth in the company. If an entrepreneur has a good well thought out plan, then they are more likely to be successful and have opportunities come their way.
- What opportunities have I missed?
Since there are going to be many opportunities in life, I am not going to be able to accept all of them as that is impossible. With that being said, I have missed opportunities when it comes to applying for different jobs as I can’t apply to every single one that is posted for different reasons whether that be because it is in another state or I may not have the qualifications for it yet. Also, there are other opportunities that I have missed due to time conflicts or the distance. For example, I don’t live on campus and all my classes are online, so I miss out on many on campus events. When it comes to my current job, there are opportunities or roles that I have not taken simply because of more responsibilities and stress that comes along with it.
- Can a successful venture be unethical?
Yes, a successful venture can be unethical. When a company grows, the entrepreneur may be tempted to cut corners and to start getting greedy in pursuit of profits. For instance, fast fashion companies such as Forever 21 and H&M, have been accused of being highly unethical regarding labor conditions and animal cruelty for its material on clothing items. When businesses are power hungry they are willing to go to extreme lengths to keep their companies running smoothly and successfully without any regard for how they treat their employees or its impact on the environment.