Week 59 (1.6.08)

Learn (Lessons from IDEO - AMA Module, pp 3-2)

Notes were taken when watched the way IDEO deals in creating a new shopping cart for its customers:

Deep Dive Guidelines

• One conversation at a time
• Stay focused
• Encourage wild ideas
• Defer judgement
• Build on the ideas of others

Practices

• Very little hierarchy
• Everyone votes/equal votes
• Small groups/multiple prototypes
• Project leaders-based on facilitation vs tech/tenure

Unlearn

Learnt before on brainstorming process. However, this module reinforce the techniques and practices.

Relearn

I organized a group meeting on 8th May with 10 Sales Executives (SE) and 1 Sales Manager. I shared on the opportunity to improve on our teams' product knowledge (as GfK results showed needed improvement). To have better understanding on why and what actions should the team adopt for continuous improvement, I conducted a survey with them (Ask Question!).

I changed the venue from meeting room to go to our gym. At first, the tone and content were the same as when we were in the room. But wonderful things started to happen! Six SE started walking around and loosening their ties. Several of them went over to the cycle machine and got on them. Two others found a ball and started playing catch. And while all of this was going on, I was asking questions and they were coming up with ideas-fresh and exciting ideas! I wrote on the flip chart while they played and talked. Very little hierarchy, everyone contributes and no criticism of any ideas were permitted. We stayed focus on the topic until the whole session was over. I thanked them for their contributions and the plan of action committed. I believe there is a better buy-in because all were committed for the improvement to take place.