Design Thinking and The Parable of the Fly Fisherman

Design Thinking and The Parable of the Fly Fisherman

by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments
Sunday night I got started reading my first book in a while (it is hard to get as much reading done when you're not riding the train for two hours a day). Luckily it is one that I've been looking forward to - Change by Design by Tim Brown (CEO of IDEO).  I have heard great things about the book before and I  heartily recommend it to anyone struggling with the 'old way' of creating in a corporate environment.  I believe that design thinking is simply a better term for us internal entrepreneurs who need to pitch a new approach in a more traditional company. It also reminds me of a great story that epitomizes the design thinking process - 'The Parable of the Fly Fisherman'. (more…)...
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Packaging Matters

Packaging Matters

by Tim Empringham, MBANo Comments
As I noted in my last entry, platform thinking is a problem when you try to communicate the value of your product or service offering to a potential client.  The problem is that I have been struggling with the same issue for the past couple of months and only now have been able to put together the compelling story for my own business.  (Something that several in my network have been pointing out to me for a while now). Putting together the compelling story that will sell your product or services can feel like either finding a needle in a haystack (if you are unsure of who your target market is) or limiting your potential (if you are guilty of platform thinking).  I have always been sure that my target market is the Entrepreneurs who run new and small businesses in Halton and Hamilton so I didn't have the problem of the haystack, but I come from a generalist background so colour me guilty...
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