DESIGN THAT UNLOCKS BUSINESS VALUE Archives

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.

THE DESIGN PORTFOLIO

The concept of a design portfolio dates back to when designers were called “graphic designers”, and their artefacts had a longer life span. Nowadays, designers involved in delivering digital experiences know that their work will last in the blink of an eye.

My approach to not creating and curating a design portfolio started many years ago. I decided to avoid this task because it offers a low return on investment.

In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on why design portfolios aren’t that helpful in showing recruiters and managers how real design talent can unlock business value.