Design for Change #7

Ch. 9 & 11

I think it’s interesting how he brings up cultural divides with product creation and innovation. Something that works for one person and seems like the greatest thing probably isn’t the same for another. One example he talks about is the Betty Crocker flop in Britain. He said that the moist cake did not last because they like dry cake over there. He also talked about how older generations rinse off their dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, but Kitchen Aid made their machines more powerful so you wouldn’t have to do that. But people still do because that’s the way they were raised and once something becomes a part of your routine it’s difficult to get out of that routine.

The one that is obvious and something he stated as well is how the U.S. uses the imperial system instead of the metric system. This makes it difficult because when we are trying to make anything, people can use either system and things can get messed up easily.

He also talks about deal killers with products- and that is what is missing and what do people want from the product? The issue the Mint had was that the dollar coin looked too similar to the half dollar so people were misusing it while shopping. They decided to make it slightly larger and gold so it was more recognizable.

I really liked the message behind this chapter, even if you have what seems to be the ultimate product doesn’t mean it’s the end all. We may think that our design is something that will be life changing and the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it could actually just be a regular thing. I enjoyed how he states “the faster you can come up with improvements… the more likely you’ll succeed in the marketplace”. There is always going to be a bump in the road and issues that you come across but if you have the right people working with you, you’ll find that your product will make a bigger difference in the end.