“Unlocking the Power of Workshops in Design” – Amanda Gelb
“Unlocking the Power of Workshops in Design” – Act 02 – Scene 39 – Amanda GelbAmanda's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-gelb/ Amanda's company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aha-studio-inc/SummaryIn this conversation, Naresh Shan and Amanda Gelb discuss the critical role of workshops in design and the importance of stakeholder buy-in, exploring strategies for effectively communicating the value of workshops, managing group dynamics, and harnessing divergent opinions. They emphasize the necessity of clear agendas and objectives, understanding participants' needs, and the significance of collaboration and the role of play in fostering creativity. Amanda highlights the importance of workshop facilitation skills as a bridge from individual contributor to design leader, sharing insights on navigating conflicts, enhancing collaboration and decision-making within organizations, and providing practical techniques for successful workshop facilitation. The discussion also touches on the need for better representation of workshop skills in design education and social media, while emphasizing the necessity of being a leader in the design space.Takeaways· Workshops can be a waste of time if not structured properly.· Clear objectives and next steps are crucial for effective workshops.· Diverse opinions can lead to conflict, but they can also drive innovation.· Facilitators should give themselves permission to interrupt when necessary.· Using playful methods like Lego can enhance engagement in workshops.· Understanding your audience is key to successful facilitation.· Conflict capture techniques can help manage disagreements.· Workshops should be designed with the end goal in mind.· Collaboration skills are essential for effective workshop facilitation.· Leaders must be proactive in guiding discussions and decisions. Chapters00:48 - Exploring Key Themes01:49 - Setting the Stage for a Comfortable Conversation03:44 - The Importance of Workshops in Design06:49 - Understanding the Role of a Workshop Facilitator09:54 - Navigating Workshop Dynamics and Decision-Making12:51 - Balancing Inclusivity and Efficiency in Workshops15:57 - Strategies for Effective Workshop Outcomes18:51 - Overcoming FOMO and Ensuring Engagement21:43 - The Leadership Role in Workshop Facilitation24:59 - The Importance of Workshops in Leadership28:23 - Creating Collaborative Spaces for Effective Workshops33:47 - Navigating Conflict and Divergent Opinions40:01 - Building Confidence in Moderation and Collaboration44:15 - The Role of Cross-Functional Leadership46:40 - Innovative Workshop Techniques: LEGO Serious Play44:42 - The Importance of Stakeholder Buy-In 51:21 - Effective Communication in Workshops 54:32 - The Role of Workshops in Design 54:32 - Evangelizing Workshop Skills Don't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast
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LinkedIn Brand-building for Designers – Thijs Kraan
“LinkedIn Brand-building for Designers” – Act 02 – Scene 40 – Thijs KraanSummaryIn this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Thijs Kraan explore the evolving landscape of design, the importance of leveraging LinkedIn for personal branding, and the challenges of content creation. Thijs shares insights on how to effectively communicate the value of design, the long-term commitment required for successful content creation, and the balance between authenticity and professionalism on social media. They discuss the role of AI in writing, the significance of building a standout LinkedIn profile, and strategies for maximising audience engagement. The conversation emphasises the need for designers to educate others about their value and adapt to the changing dynamics of the job market.TakeawaysDesign is increasingly recognised as a key value driver in organisations.LinkedIn is a powerful platform for building a personal brand and attracting opportunities.Content creation is a long-term commitment that requires consistency and patience.Educating your audience about your value is crucial for success.AI tools can assist in writing, but should not replace personal thought and creativity.Venting on professional platforms like LinkedIn should be approached with caution.Building a standout LinkedIn profile requires clarity about your unique value proposition.Quality content is essential, but quantity can also play a role in visibility.Engagement strategies should focus on the audience's needs and interests.The landscape of content creation is evolving, and adapting to changes is necessary.Chapters00:48 – Introduction and Setting the Stage01:02 – The Importance of Design Education03:00 – Transitioning to Freelance in Design04:48 – Overcoming Content Creation Challenges08:57 – The Long Game of Content Creation11:05 – Leveraging LinkedIn for Professional Growth14:04 – Building a Standout LinkedIn Profile17:49 – The Art of Venting vs. Professionalism21:03 – Navigating AI Tools in Writing25:53 – The Craft of Writing and Continuous Improvement35:46 – The Journey of Content Creation38:52 – Building a Personal Brand vs. Being an Influencer44:33 – The Shift to Video Content47:08 – Navigating LinkedIn’s Algorithm53:00 – Maximising Content Posting StrategiesDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast
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Modus Operandi – Episode 7 - Luminous Fragments – Miranda Slayter
Modus Operandi – Episode 7 - Luminous Fragments – Miranda SlayterIn this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Miranda Slayter explore the current job market's challenges, ethical dilemmas in design, and the impact of AI on the industry. They discuss the importance of transparency, the role of designers in measuring impact, and the need for strong design leadership. The conversation also explores the importance of creating compelling portfolios and the evolving nature of UX design in a rapidly changing technological landscape.TakeawaysThe job market is dire, leading many to compromise on ethics.Navigating ethical dilemmas in employment is a complex issue.Transparency in career choices can help mitigate the impact of CV stains from controversial companies.AI is transforming the workplace, but it won't replace UX design.Designers must articulate their decisions with data and insights.The importance of measuring design impact is crucial for career growth.Design leaders play a crucial role in advocating for the value of design.A compelling portfolio should showcase design thinking and impact.AI fatigue is real; the hype may not match the reality.Designers must continually evolve their skills to remain relevant in the job market.Chapters00:00 - Coffee Conversations and Introductions01:32 -Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Job Markets05:24 - The Balance of Ethics and Survival07:42 - Transparency in Career Choices10:04 - The Impact of Company Ethics on Work Culture11:48 - Data Breaches vs. Animal Testing: A Moral Comparison15:06 - The Rise of AI and Ethical Concerns19:22 - AI Fatigue: The Overhyped Reality23:58 - Adapting to AI: The Future of Design26:22 - The Evolution of Jobs in the Age of AI28:01 - AI's Impact on Product Development30:09 - Critical Thinking in Design with AI33:23 - Standing Out in a Competitive Job Market40:56 - Crafting a Compelling Portfolio43:57 - Defining Design Impact: Designers vs. Product Managers50:41 - Articulating Design Decisions55:45 - Building Political Capital in Design01:01:01 - The Art of Presenting Design Ideas01:05:47 - Learning from Bad Leadership01:10:03 - The Role of Design Leaders in BusinessDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast
Modus Operandi – Episode 6 - Whisper Gallery – Noelle LansfordSummaryIn this episode of the Modus Operandi podcast, hosts Naresh Shan and Noelle Lansford delve into the complexities of collaboration between designers and developers, highlighting the challenges of communication, onboarding, and the impact of daily design changes on development processes. They discuss the importance of understanding MVP in product management, the need for governance in product backlogs, and the role of UX in product strategy. The conversation emphasizes the necessity for designers to learn to say no, the value of data-driven decisions, and the future of UX in organizations, particularly at the C-suite level. Takeaways· Collaboration issues between designers and developers stem from cultural differences.· Onboarding processes are often inadequate, leading to confusion and inefficiency.· Effective communication is crucial for successful handovers between design and development teams.· Daily changes in design can complicate development processes and lead to scope creep.· Learning to say no is essential for designers to maintain project integrity.· Understanding the concept of MVP is critical for product managers and designers alike.· Governance in product backlogs can help streamline processes and improve outcomes.· UX should be recognized as a vital component of product strategy at the C-suite level.· Data-driven decisions can enhance the influence of design in product development.· The future of UX may involve more strategic roles within organizations. Chapters01:23 - Introduction to Unscripted Conversations01:44 - Collaboration Challenges Between Designers and Developers05:29 - The Importance of Onboarding in Design and Development07:58 - Communication and Handover Processes11:29 - Managing Design Changes and Scope Creep17:25 - Setting Boundaries in Design23:54 - Understanding MVP vs. MDP30:54 - Governance in Product Backlogs32:47 - Governance and Lead Time in Product Development34:58 - The Cost of Pivoting and Its Cultural Implications38:52 - Using Numbers Wisely in Design41:58 - The Role of Product Managers and Long-Term Strategy45:55 - The Gap Between Design and Business Strategy49:58 - The Need for Dedicated UX Product Teams55:53 - The Importance of Proving UX Value to the C-SuiteDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast
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"Should Everybody Do Research?" - Kate Towsey
"Should Everybody Do Research?" - Act 02 - Scene 38 - Kate TowseySummaryIn this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast, Naresh Shan speaks with Kate Towsey, a prominent figure in the field of research operations. They discuss the evolution and current state of research ops, the importance of democratizing research, and the role of researchers in product development. Kate emphasises the need for strong research leadership and the integration of AI as a strategic partner in research processes. The conversation also touches on the future of research methodologies and the importance of building effective research repositories to enhance organisational knowledge.TakeawaysKate Towsey is a well-known figure in the field of research operations.Research ops is growing despite layoffs in the industry.Companies recognise the need for research, but may not see the need for dedicated researchers.Democratisation of research allows various roles to conduct research.Research leaders play a crucial role in guiding research strategy.AI can enhance research processes, but should be viewed as a teammate.Effective research repositories are crucial for knowledge sharing.Research methodologies will evolve with the integration of artificial intelligence.Building relationships with stakeholders is crucial to shaping the research culture.Understanding organisational priorities can help researchers align their efforts. Chapters00:48 - Introduction and Setting the Stage02:18 - Kate Towsey's Journey into Research Operations05:22 - The Current State of Research Ops08:17 - Democratisation of Research and Its Implications11:21 - Quality of Research in a Democratized Environment14:14 - The Role of Researchers in Organisations17:18 - Challenges and Opportunities for Research Ops19:49 - The Role of Researchers in Product Development21:47 - Rethinking Product Development Life Cycle23:58 - The Need for Research Leadership26:39 - Translating Research into Business Language29:20 - Leveraging AI in Research34:30 - AI as a Team Member in Research38:47 - Synthetic Users and Research Optimisation43:10 - The Evolving Role of Research in Design45:14 - Methodologies in Flux: The Future of Research48:37 - Research as the Spine of Organisations53:59 - Influencing Change: The Path to Research IntegrationDon't forget to:👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!Follow Us: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/ • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow • X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast
The Aligned Podcast Show, formerly DesignOps Aligned, is the essential listen for everyone who shapes digital products. From UX and UI creators to product managers, engineers, researchers, and delivery leads, we decode the playbooks, mindsets, and metrics that turn bold ideas into market-ready experiences. Expect candid conversations with trailblazing leaders and hands on practitioners, reusable frameworks that transform creativity into repeatable results, and a front row seat to the trends ranging from AI powered tools to outcome driven road mapping. If you build, ship, or champion digital products, hit Subscribe and turn every episode into an edge that levels up your craft and drives real business impact.
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