Selected reading
Is Agile dead?
Agile was once heralded as a new and revolutionary way to break free from rigid bureaucracies and foster collaboration, adaptability, and speed in product development. Today, one can say that Agile has lost its way. Some might even say that it has become a caricature of itself.
Launching a Neobank in Italy: Lessons Learned
Launching a digital bank targeted at young families in a competitive European market was both a challenge and an opportunity. Our goal was to create a family-focused digital banking experience that met the unique needs of this demographic, starting with a fully functional pilot in the Italian market to test the concept. We successfully launched […]
Finding Your Why: The Cornerstone of Organizational Success
How do companies discover their core purpose? It’s a straightforward question, yet it goes to the heart of what sets thriving organizations apart from those that merely exist. The key lies not in superficial strategies but in a profound understanding of their purpose. This blog post will explore the importance of a company’s “Why,” examine […]
Designers in the executive suite: what we bring to the table.
After decades of working to gain influence, designers now have a seat at the executive table. But getting there was only half the journey. The real challenge is proving we belong. So we ask ourselves: What value do we bring to the broader business? How can we best contribute in an executive setting that still […]
The role of the Design Executive
It took me much of my design career to understand the VP of Design position. Most companies seek a Creative Leader with an Executive Presence who can hire a high-performing team, build a compelling design culture, drive design-led product strategy, ensure high quality, and deliver business results—or, as author Peter Metholz puts it, a Design […]
What boards wants to hear in a product presentation
In the past, when I’m preparing to present to a board, I was always focused on the product itself: what were the most important features and how they help the user to solve their problems while enjoying the experience of the product. But over time, I’ve come to realize that what the board really wants […]
Should Companies Use Lean Startup Methods in 2024?
I remember when The Lean Startup came out over a decade ago. I was fascinated by Eric Ries’s approach for helping early-stage startups launch on a budget. Practically overnight, BUILD, MEASURE, LEARN, and FAIL FAST became mantras to many of us founders at the time. From the beginning, it was clear that Design Thinking heavily […]
Embracing the Duality of AI – Progress, Paradox, and Perspective
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic ideal; it’s embedded in the fabric of our lives, from autonomous vehicles to personal assistants that anticipate our needs. As AI technologies progress, they unlock transformative potential across industries, offering advancements in medicine, productivity, and creative tasks. Yet, AI also brings profound ethical challenges and sparks critical […]
A digital companion for breast cancer patients  – Part one
It is 3:06 PM and Mrs. Laudner is finally called into the doctor’s office. The lab test results have finally arrived. “Mrs. Laudner I am afraid I don’t have very good news for you. There is no easy way to say this, so I will just go ahead and say it. Our suspicions were right, […]
The Impact of GenAI on Design: Unlocking Creativity and Efficiency
Wake up and smell the coffee. Like it or not, GenAI is a game changer for product design. From automating tedious and repetitive tasks to unlocking our creativity in ways we couldn’t imagined a few years ago, undeniably reshaping the way designers work, but most importantly: Is here to stay. The really exciting part of […]