Kara Deniz               July 24, 2020

Design Thinking for Innovation           Peer Graded Assignment

Reflection – Visualization

Challenge & Selection

Visualization was my tool of choice to convey the vision for my new company to potential board  members. Visualization is a great tool for me to use when I am attempting to communicate ideas that  are more complicated, such as compartmentalizing structures and developing new systems.  My  challenge here was to accurately convey my message to potential board members so that they could  clearly see my vision for the company.  I conducted a hybrid style visual presentation that included  usage of power point slides and white board.  I decided to include the white board, not only because I  wanted to show them the processes that we use & the flexibility of development, but I also used the  white board for them to convey their interpretations and how they viewed their individual roles in the  company’s development.  Considering that this is my first start up business sharing control with a team, I  wanted to ensure that my message is clear and concise.

Application

I began my presentation with power-point slides of the company vision & mission statements and then a  diagram of the company and its ownership structure.  At this instance I used the white board to show &  explain the ownership transitions that will occur after second quarter and the effects that this could  have on the board.  Next, I needed to convey their role in company decision making and with their  relationship with the President/CEO.  This is important because this established a clear picture in their  realization of how Holding Companies operate differently that operationally functional Companies work  and their relationship to those ventures. A moment of clarity was the realization that the boards control  over these ventures was at its strongest in forming the venture, but significantly lessened after the  venture was commenced. I used the power point to show how the ventures were distinctive. I used the  white board to provide a picture example of a parent raising a child in phases until adulthood with the  childhood being the formation process into completion of adulthood, or commencement of business.

One slide stated: “To understand the purpose of my vision, I need you to answer the following question:  1) If money were no object, what are three things you would do differently?”.  At this point, we used the  white board to briefly determine how “lifestyles” would be affected. The purpose of this exercise was  for these potential members to understand the monetary base-line for company requirements so that  the they understood that their positions & compensation would be based on productivity & diligence  and to know the actual numbers that would be expected.  At the close of the presentation and closing  remarks I offered a challenge to create a story board on how they envisioned the company’s  development under their service; and how that would affect their lifestyles.

Insight & Approach

I like the visualization technique because it permits a more accurate conveyance of my vision in this  case. Using the white board along with the power point slide helped to enhance the experience by

answering questions through visualization rather than attempting to convey them with words alone.   Keeping people engaged in meetings and conserve time while being productive is important to ensure  that everyone sees the vision in similar union. Using the story board helped me determine whether to  extend offers to these potential board members. On the strength of that picture board exercise, I  decided on presenting three (3) of the five (5) potential members with invitations.

Though I do like story-telling, I realize that story telling can be enhanced by visualizing some of the  concepts of the story that can be misinterpreted by words alone. I used the story board to show  potential company growth of structure and operation. I do think that story telling based on verbal  communication alone has its place and it does well for me in situations that call for instruction on  processes.  In regard to making important executive/board hiring decisions, I think this presentation was  very effective.

On the flip side, I also think that my presentation qualified for boosting my credibility and increases my  probability of success in my petition to sit as initial CEO.

