In this episode, Tracy Sharp and Lucy Patterson discuss the challenges of ideation, particularly focusing on overcoming self-criticism and perfectionism. They emphasise the importance of preparation, creating a safe space for sharing ideas, and the role of facilitators in guiding the process. The conversation also touches on the significance of embracing wild ideas and navigating the concepts of 'right' and 'wrong' in brainstorming sessions.*This episode is kindly sponsored by Judith P. Rayna...

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the common pitfalls that individuals and teams encounter during the process. They emphasize the importance of understanding stakeholders, defining clear problem statements, and the iterative nature of design thinking. The conversation highlights the significance of reflection, data-driven decisions, and maintaining focus on the purpose while avoiding distractions. The hosts also discuss the balance between ...

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the complexities of design thinking, focusing on the importance of stakeholders, co-creation, and the challenges of people-pleasing. They discuss how to navigate diverse opinions, the value of empathy, and the iterative learning process involved in design thinking.The conversation highlights real-life applications, tools for decision-making, and the significance of self-respect and empowerment in the journey of personal and professional growth.*This epi...

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore how empathy helps us understand others and ourselves, fosters deeper connections, and leads to better decision-making. They also delve into the significance of forming a distinct point of view to be used as a guide to action when navigating potential challenges. *This episode is kindly sponsored by Rama Gheerawo, author of Creative Leadership: Born From Design.*Key Topics Covered:[00:00] What to expect:Lucy and Tracy introduce the episode by framing the...

Your hosts, Lucy and Tracy, kick off season 2 with an episode entitled 'A Beginner's Guide to Doing Things'.*This episode is kindly sponsored by Vaughan Broderick, co-author of The DUCTRI Playbook*In this episode, they challenge you - the listener - to take a fresh approach to growing your business and up-levelling your lives using the power of design thinking.They discuss the basics of adopting new habits, overcoming initial challenges, and how to stay consistent when starting something new....

Have you missed us?Who's ready to take action and solve problems with us?Send us a textSupport the showYou can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions.Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests.Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. Lucy - https:...

Have you missed us?Who's feeling stuck and ready to do something about it?Send us a Text Message.Support the Show.You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions.Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests.Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. Lu...

In this episode Support the showAimed at design thinking newbies, and those who are curious about how they can use design thinking to boost their business and improve their lives. Join Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp - two Northern lasses who support business owners and individuals to use design thinking - as we empower you to think differently and get creative...without messing up your jumpers with crayons. You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, connect with us on...

In this episode we Support the showAimed at design thinking newbies, and those who are curious about how they can use design thinking to boost their business and improve their lives. Join Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp - two Northern lasses who support business owners and individuals to use design thinking - as we empower you to think differently and get creative...without messing up your jumpers with crayons. You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, connect with us on...

In this episode we discover whether 'X' really does mark the spot, as we explain more about the 'Define' stage of the design thinking process.  Support the showAimed at design thinking newbies, and those who are curious about how they can use design thinking to boost their business and improve their lives. Join Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp - two Northern lasses who support business owners and individuals to use design thinking - as we empower you to think differently and get...

In this episode, we uncover a few of the reasons why workshops can be innovation and creative goldmines when you're looking to solve a problem, make a decision, or whenever you have a challenge ahead of yourself or your team. We look at how design thinking workshops are actually more likely to produce iterational innovation, than the transformational innovation that we hear about in the media, before explaining the need for good preparations, the limitations of workshops, and how to get the...

In this episode we're joined by Lara Doherty, Founder of The Motivation Clinic, and  Author of The Mighty Book of Motivation. Adept at using the power of visualisation, with a particular interest in the power of vision boards to fuel your achievements and help you reach your goals, Lara explains how she now pays this power forward to others. Visualisation techniques have been used by sports coaches to improve the performance of sports stars very successfully for decades, yet visualisation...

In this episode we welcome the inimitible Christine Hemphill from Open Inclusion. With a background in design, Christine now specialises in inclusive product design, with a particular interest in age and disability. From retail to banking, healthcare to transport, Christine's knowledge, understanding and desire to disrupt the product design sector for the greater good is admirable. We're all 'users' of products, but due to her dislike of the transactional nature of this word, she makes...

In this episode we dive deeper into the psyche of co-host Tracy Sharp. To get us started, Lucy makes Tracy share her career profile with us, as if she'd written it for a dating app...then we get serious! From the highlights of working on the 'Foodi' for SharkNinja whilst out in China, to the burn out that followed; Tracy provides honest and open insight into her life as a female in a male dominated environment. Listener questions provide further insight into Tracy's confidence and...

In this episode we discuss the impact of story-telling; more importantly the impact of good story-telling. As a design engineer, Tracy shares a story of a hotel stay that didn't live up to expectations, and how story-telling could have helped the hotel to better improve her experience. Lucy sings the tune to a 1980's Milky Way tv advert that shows how story-telling links to nostalgia, marketing, and sales.  (It also proves that Lucy shouldn't give up her day job!)    From character plots,...

In this episode we discuss how to use the power of reflection in order to boost your mindset and discover the benefits that taking time to reflect can have on your business and life. Tracy shares the reflection questions she claims stopped her from quitting during the early days of running her own business, and Lucy shares how she uses reflection methods to maintain communication and momentum within her growing business team.  We chat through the Baader Meinhoff Effect and Imposter...

In this episode we look at the potential of questions within the innovation and design thinking process. We uncover some of the cross-overs between design thinking and lean manufacturing, and share the Japanese origins of a very simple, yet effective exercise, '5 Whys'. Plus, of course, because we're all about actionable insight, we provide you with some real life examples that enable you get to the crux of various problems by putting this exercise to good use. Support the showAimed at...

In this episode we touch on one of Tracy's favourite stages in the design thinking process; prototyping. Having spent years working as a Design Director for a major household brand, what Tracy doesn't know about prototyping is probably not worth knowing. Join us as we share some of her production design insight, and then learn how to apply the same/similar insights to service based business' - and your life. We discuss the need to 'prototype like you want it to fail' and to look at 3...

In this episode we cover one of the main stages in the design thinking process: observe.  Sure, we all observe ourselves and others on a daily basis, but when you need to observe with purpose; to be aware of your surroundings, to better understand the impact of your product, or to solve problems and makes decisions within your business, how good are you at observing then? It can actually be one of the hardest stages in the design thinking process to get right and do well. It's time to...

In this episode we chat with Alison Wombwell, a Neurodiversity specialist, about how she was introduced to design thinking by Lucy, and why she then knew that design thinking needed to be part of the on-going support she now provides to female neurodivergent business owners as they start and grow their own business'. A slight deviation from the norm for us, but then isn't that what design thinking is all about?! Originally a client of Lucy's, they now run the NeurOkay program together via...

In this episode we chat with Michael Lewrick, PhD, MBA. Michael has worked intensively these past few years to establish himself as a Thought Leader and world-renowned specialist in the field of Design Thinking.  A best-selling author and award-winning entrepreneur, his ideas, books and innovation company - Lewrick & Company - help people around the world to better lead innovation and business growth during this current period of rapid change. If you're a regular listener to our...

In this episode we find out more about the journey that lead one of the co-hosts, Lucy Patterson, to a career in design thinking. From the influence of her Grandparents on her mindset, to a successful management career that left her feeling stifled, to setting up Flourish Unlimited.  Onto a sink or swim conversation that saw her embark on a life and business changing trip just before the pandemic hit. Among other things, Lucy shares her favourite design thinking tools, her belief in the...

In this episode we explain a bit more about the key steps of the design thinking process; exploring the 'double diamond' concept, which is currently celebrating its 20th year of use.  So join us as we diverge to converge; applying  the double diamond to life design and coaching; considering ways you can apply it to your life and business for simple, yet immediate and iterative impact. Continue to listen as we introduce the notion of business ecosystems; discussing how service based...

In this episode we explain a bit more about one of the most commonly used tools in Design Thinking, journey - and empathy - maps. Within business, maps may relate to your customer's thoughts, feelings and journey, how your processes flow, or how you get to a sale.  We'll chat customers touchpoints, and help you identify where they are in their journey with you: Awareness, consideration, purchase, retention and advocacy. Plus, we'll take a telling look at the journey of your key...