1.What is design thinking?
Design thinking is a three staged model used to identify and solve problems, which are understand, explore, materialize. These three stages are then broken down into five steps: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test, and implement. The model is often visually depicted in cyclic format, as the problem-solving process ideally shouldn’t end. Many variations on the model don’t use the exact verbiage for the different phases. The focus is alternative ways of thinking and using new options to solve different issues. The method focuses on using direct observation and qualitative data which then produces results that people can empathize with. Once all the data needed is gathered, we can start to analyze the problem and brainstorm for the best solutions. Next, we create a prototype and test it, testing is very important because it validates that the solution successfully can be applied in the real world. The process of design thinking combines ideas from multiple disciplines and obtains multiple perspectives that produce creative and effective solutions.

2.How has design thinking influenced a product I use?
One product I use that design thinking has influenced is the streaming platform Netflix. The streaming company was originally an on-demand by mail service provider. They were one of the first companies to adapt to the evolution of technology and changed the way people watch movies and tv shows. This change was in response to their competitors on-demand services. Netflix is one of the best examples of design thinking because it was built around customer’s needs and feedback, and continues to evolve significantly, with the addition of their own content that disrupted the quotidian content streaming on other networks. The company tracks users’ data to provide a custom experience for each user. With the data obtained from the customer, the platform is able to do things like suggest shows they may like. Over time Netflix uses data algorithms curate an entire section called “for you,” and they have been doing this before #fyp was a thing. Using design thinking to empathize with the consumer, Netflix remains an industry leader that reduces other companies to reacting to their innovations.
3.What are the connections between opportunities and planning?
There are connections between planning and opportunities because to implement an idea, an entrepreneur must first assess what opportunities exist and then create a well-structured plan. With the combination of both, an entrepreneur can create a strategy with the necessary activities to implement the new idea. Failing to build a well-structured plan can result in a poor delivery of a product hence, it is important to first analyze the opportunities to get an idea of future predictions.

4.What opportunities have I missed?

Last year, I missed an opportunity for a promotion. I currently work for Capital One bank as a senior coordinator, the position I applied for was for the next level up which is principal coordinator or supervisor. I believe one of the reasons I did not get the position is because I did not plan well enough, I should have prepared better for the behavioral interview and studied the role better. The company offers the opportunity to shadow other departments to help with the interview process, I did not plan my time well enough and was not able to shadow the role. Although I did not get the position, I learned a lot from the hiring process. I requested feedback from the hiring manager, and I know next time I will be well prepared.

5.Can a successful venture be unethical?

It all depends how a company achieved that success. There are many successful companies that have great reputation however, there are many that have been involved in fraudulent and unethical acts. For example, a few years back there was an issue with a successful bank Wells Fargo, the company’s associates were using unauthorized customer information to open new accounts and gain bonuses. Although, the company is working on a financial compensation for the people affected, that sense of trust cannot be built back. People sign up for banks to keep their money and identity secured and, in this case, Wells Fargo failed to meet their own expectations.