Our task was to solve one problem faced by any stakeholder (Have to throw in some MBA jargon, after all) on the campus. We decided to tackle the lack of collaborative work and study spaces for MBA students in the campus. Of course, this is with the assumption that students do actually study. Debatable yes, but we proceeded. The first step in this process is to empathize with our user. Thus, for the first time, we were getting academic credits for roaming around in the campus, talking to our fellow batch mates. Why aren’t all classes like that?
The next step is what they call Define. We sat down actually defining our definitive problem statement and profiling our users. How do you do that, you ask? Well, you run to the center of the class, like it is the beginning loot in the Hunger Games and raid as much stationary as possible. Thus, we began drawing and charting our user. The next step was to Ideate. Idea after idea, posted on a stick it notes, slapped on a large chart paper. Probability and Possibility, no bar.
Step Four is to Prototype. And then we did something, I haven’t done since the fifth standard. Made prototypes of our different workspace designs. Bean Bags, soft floor, Epic Lego wall, vending machines, charging stations, projectors, partitions and what not. Our final step was to get Feedback. And thus, began chaos. 400 odd students who had the workshop that day were roaming around showcasing their prototypes to each other.
Design Thinking is not a linear process, nor is it an exact science. It is a creative, iterative process. After each round of feedback, you keep going back to the drawing board, till you have found the perfect solution. And that is what we did, to arrive at our spectacular (so humble!) workspace.
Design Thinking remains the most enjoyable course I have taken in the entire first year of MBA and has really changed the way I look at problems. It is a course that really should be part of every MBA’s curriculum.
An ABG Company I wish to work for: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd.
I did my summer internship at Madura Fashion & Lifestyle (a division of ABFRL) and, given a chance, I would love to continue my association with the company. Retail, especially apparel retail, itself is going through a very interesting phase in the country with all the recent developments and MFL is a leading player. MFL, does not only house the country’s leading fashion brands (Louis Philippe, Peter England and Van Heusen, to name a few), it also has a fantastic work culture. At Madura, there are no hierarchical barriers. Everyone, right up to the senior management is approachable and helpful. The only rule at Madura, is to deliver on your work. No other aspect of your work style is dictated by the company. And of course, the hefty employee discounts and abundant travel opportunities, really just make it one of the most attractive work propositions.
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