Thinking like a designer can inspire more innovation

By Nadia  Goodman at Entrepreneur.com

We could be innovative just like the late Steve Jobs if we think like a designer (Making a dent in the universe or mouthing "Be foolish just wont do).  The thought came from Bill Burnett, executive director of the design center of Stanford University in California, one of the leading design schools at USA.  The training that I got at Bangkok from one of their professors probably started in their school.

Some of the tips:

l. Observe the customers on how they use the product.

2.  Find the right problem.  For example, in the finding the right problem for infant deaths, it is not the absence of incubators, but the need for low cost incubators to transport babies from babies born in huts to the hospital  (made from aluminum tin foil or ceiling insulators -  reflectix materials?)

3. Brainstorm and come out with a hundred ideas/options

4.  Prototype -  there is no entrepreneurship/innovation unless you have a protype/working mode/ or even a mock up.  The idea will just remain an idea.  The prototype mock up will give a you a feedback on #1 and what must you do further to come out with the right product

How a designer mindset could make a hundred flowers bloom