DESIGN THAT UNLOCKS BUSINESS VALUE Archives

RESPECT, THE WATER BOTTLE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Respect is one of my core principles, and the famous photograph of Coppi and Bartali exchanging a water bottle during the 1949 Tour de France, one of the most iconic images in sports, captures its essence perfectly.

I’d seen that photo billions of times before, but it hit me differently this time. Two of the fiercest rivals in cycling history are in the middle of a brutal race, and one reaches out to help the other.

This time, this epic image resonates with my experience in supporting complex projects alongside cross-functional teams. The diversity of personalities, skills, and cultures can present a myriad of perspectives, making it challenging to pinpoint the best route to unlock business value.

PARENTING & MANAGING

Parenting and management share a number of key similarities: both demand significant effort, a mindset geared toward continuous learning and improvement, and the ability to navigate the unexpected with ease.

In the next paragraphs, I will share my two cents on how I face these two ultra-tough missions.

THE ALL-NEW THERMOMIX TM7 LANDING PAGE

The all-new Thermomix TM7 stands as the cornerstone of the next generation of Vorwerk’s revolutionary kitchen appliances. Thermomix models have delighted culinary enthusiasts worldwide since 1961. To support the product launch on February 14th 2025, the Experience Design Team (XDT) crafted a landing page. This project allowed me to sponsor and blend strategic, system-driven design with business acumen.

In the next paragraphs, I will rewind the tape from the last four months to explain how the XDT and its design system, FiBRE Single Blend, faced this monumental challenge and delivered a design that unlocks business value.

THE GROWTH MINDSET

The concept of a growth mindset, popularised by psychologist Carol Dweck, has gained widespread attention. Her talk “Not Yet” is a must-see in many environments. I have watched it and wondered what it means and how it relates to my profession as a designer.

In short, my understanding of the growth mindset is that people equipped with it see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than obstacles to their success.

In this post, I’ll summarise what I focused on to familiarise myself with the growth mindset and the actionable steps I can take to foster a growth-oriented outlook and unlock value in my private and professional life.

THE FEEDBACK RECEIVER

Feedback culture, with a strong focus on learning to be a receptive feedback receiver, collaboration, and innovation have become buzzwords many companies proudly advocate. It is fascinating to see how companies, especially incumbents, include these values in their journey to unlock business value.

In the next few paragraphs, I’ll share my perspective on the value of developing the feedback receiver’s soft skills and my angle on how becoming a better feedback receiver can unlock business value.