Articles by mbseven

Most designers were trained to ‘design for’ (a client, a user, a briefing) – and as such, we might have to overcome barriers of ‘thinking’ if we want to ‘design with’ (in other words: co-design). Likewise, most businesses are set-up to deliver a ’service/product’ to their clients, not to work with the users. But…isn’t this changing? And should it change? If yes, how do we do it?

One of the recent project developments that helped put it in practice, this rather new way of designing, was the 24hr workshop to prototype the Business Model of The Thinking Hotel.

The starting point was to invite people from our Linkedin group to be part of the experience, not to design a product or a service – but to design the business model itself.

This is also a new experience of an innovative approach into co-design.

Why not have a look, and tell us what you think? The Thinking Hotel 24hr report

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Hello thinkers!

I have great news to share.

The Thinking Hotel © vision is moving forward – and hopefully, the aim to find partners interested in making this vision happen over the year 2010 is getting closer to reality!

The story so far:

In 2008 I shared the idea of creating the very best place for thinking under the concept of a Hotel, combining environments, tools, resources and services for thinking, with friends.

It did sound an interesting proposal, as everyone one’s first reaction was: WOW! or AWESOME!

Got the webdomains, registered the Ltd Company, and started defining the concept.

Shared with experts and advisors, presented to a few companies, VC investors, experts in Hotels, and so on. The positive feedback and fantastic insights helped me build confidence, and continue the journey.

Two weeks ago, I posted a comment on a TED LinkedIn group connecting someone’s post with the idea of The Thinking Hotel © - and that generated a number of positive reactions, including a suggestion to start a linkedin group: Let’s Create The Thinking Hotel, which I did, just about one week ago: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2882471&trk=anet_ug_hm

So far, this has been a brilliant experience – and you are welcome to join the group, share you views and opinions and comment on the other’s.

And here is the link to an online survey, that I’d really appreciate your feedback: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KRYCL6R

Beyond that, I had the honour to be a guest in a very special visit to a place that may have the potential to become our first Thinking Hotel! This is the Poltimore House (www.poltimore.org) which is an impressive place with great potential to a synergy with The Thinking Hotel © - if you visit the website – I suggest you have a look at their vision.

So, what’s next?

Why not… join the group, be a guest and check into this journey?

We are all thinking about thinking…and I am really thrilled with the members in this group!

Be my guest and get linkedin with this idea!

…to our economists, managers and other human executives?

If so, can you imagine Nature frenetically cutting costs everywhere possible, to solve its self-created economic crisis, determining life with less air, less light, less land, less water?

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MOST WANTED:

An innovative business leader with the excellence agenda at the heart of its business.

WHEN: As soon as possible.

WHAT FOR: To conduct an Excellence Audit.

I am now looking for a company who has the need and the goal to become Excellent.

If this is meaningful for you and your business…be the first to get in touch!

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Design Week’s Editor, Lynda Relph-Knight challenged designers to post ideas and enter a debate on how can design best help to increase awareness of its value.

Lynda’s challenge comes from a recent debate about public procurement to purchase design, and the issue that, despite the value of design to improve communication and services, and despite the existing funding for innovation, it (design’s value) still misunderstood by governmental bodies (or is the society in general?), and therefore not correctly procured. It seems a large majority of design stakeholders - inside and outside the design industry - still don’t know much about design and even less about new disciplines and roles of design, beyond traditional areas of the design of ‘things’, ‘messages’ and ’spaces’.

Ideally, and strategically we would need to replace the idea that design is just good to make things look pretty, or the tool to manipulate ‘perceived value’ of products and brands for a profit-driven aim.

My thinking: why not…Establish a VAD © stamp!  (Value Added Design)

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Business schools are questioning what skills should be developed for the tomorrow’s company. Science and technology schools are wondering about the same. Design starts to escalate upwards in the organisational framework to a strategic level, and other countries (Canada, USA, China, Finland) are already integrating Design skills into their business schools.

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Should we question the need to produce waste?

Waste isn’t a problem, it is a consequence of human decisions.

Or a design fault.

So imagine if you were asked to opt between paying for management of your waste, or pay for not having waste, which would you chose? Read the rest of this entry »