Reflection – Visualization (Africa Market Study)

Challenge: In my new position, I was required to design a Sales cum business development model that  would work for the African market with all its given constraints. The challenge was that for business  development to happen we didn’t have our own company resources in every part of the African  market. Without having your own resource, it was difficult to get transparency of the market and build  sustainable relationships with the customers in the region.  I had to device a model which can help  the company to grow its business frugally, while we gain more transparency of the market to make  any resource investment decision.

Selection: I selected visualization tool for this challenge.  Visualization tool is a methodology with  which we can see our verbal ideas on paper. As Angela Myer has explained this in her week 1 video,  many complex problems require inductive reasonings and logics, which if can be presented in a  nonverbal way can help in achieving better clarity on the application of it. In most cases, these complex  problems require a team to work on them. While verbal discussion within the teams is a quick way to  align thoughts, nonverbal ways such as visualization tool can be very handy to ensure that within the  team, we have same understanding. This really aids in an effective communication and right solutions  exploration.

I selected this tool because, to solve my challenge I had to involve many other stakeholders into the  model development. Having their agreement for this model required a thorough understanding of  each part of this model, in the exact same way for everyone. Moreover, Covid situation, could not  make it easier for us. We had to do all our discussions remotely. I believed that visualization tool would  prove most effective in such a scenario.

Application: I first drew my own concept on how various models can work for the given situation. I  then concluded that with all the circumstances which model will be more suitable for which markets.  Of course, Africa being a large continent and mix of various cultures we need to keep a close eye on  individual needs of those specific markets. Next step was to invite all the key stakeholders (partners  and company resources) from various markets in Africa and our local company management to have  a workshop on the topic. During the workshop visualization tool helped me a lot to make the idea very  clear between the stakeholders. By visually presenting the model there were many unattended points  which were explored, discussions on which helped in mitigating risks and improving the model.  Without visual representation of the model, nitty-gritty of the context can be easily missed. While we  kept on improving our model during our workshop, we ensured that the final visual model is agreed  to everyone.

Insight: It was really a revelation to me, that how such a simple graphical representation can help  making many complex topics drive in a step manner towards the goal. Without the visualization, our  workshop would have been just a superficial discussion without real and required feedbacks from the  stakeholders. Visual representation of the model gave stakeholders all the clarity on the proposal  hence an opportunity as well to improve it. I believe that visualization tool, although easy to  implement, but still requires a lot of practice. Out of habit and hurry many times I have tried to find  easier ways, verbal ways, to find out solutions to the issues. However, after finding the effectiveness  of the tool I have no doubt that a good practice with this tool will be very helpful for me in the future.

Reflection – Visualization (Africa Market Study)

Approach: For the next time, I can utilize other tools within a particular tool as well. For e.g. While I  was researching on various models that could work for the African market, I can very well apply  storytelling or Learning Launch tools. “As Is” state of the African market and selecting particular data  for the “What If” stage is not an easy process. Storytelling is quite an effective tool for the same. The  details presented in the video of week 2 provides the fundamental for me to utilize this tool. The point  is how these tools can make the decision making or solution finding process more structured and  dependable. Visualization is no doubt a great tool. A trail and error with other tools will also provide  a greater insight into how beneficial other tools can be if applied along with.


Reflection – Visualization ( Africa Market Study ) Challenge : In my new position , I was required to design a Sales cum business development model that would work for the African market with all its given constraints . The challenge was that for business development to happen we did n’t have our own company resources in every part of the African market . Without having your own resource , it was difficult to get transparency of the market and build sustainable relationships with the customers in the region . I had to device a model which can help the company to grow its business frugally , while we gain more transparency of the market to make any resource investment decision . Selection : I selected visualization tool for this challenge . Visualization tool is a methodology with which we can see our verbal ideas on paper . As Angela Myer has explained this in her week 1 video , many complex problems require inductive reasonings and logics , which if can be presented in a nonverbal way can help in achieving better clarity on the application of it . In most cases , these complex problems require a team to work on them . While verbal discussion within the teams is a quick way to align thoughts , nonverbal ways such as visualization tool can be very handy to ensure that within the team , we have same understanding . This really aids in an effective communication and right solutions exploration . I selected this tool because , to solve my challenge I had to involve many other stakeholders into the model development . Having their agreement for this model required a thorough understanding of each part of this model , in the exact same way for everyone . Moreover , Covid situation , could not make it easier for us . We had to do all our discussions remotely . I believed that visualization tool would prove most effective in such a scenario . Application : I first drew my own concept on how various models can work for the given situation . I then concluded that with all the circumstances which model will be more suitable for which markets . Of course , Africa being a large continent and mix of various cultures we need to keep a close eye on individual needs of those specific markets . Next step was to invite all the key stakeholders ( partners and company resources ) from various markets in Africa and our local company management to have a workshop on the topic . During the workshop visualization tool helped me a lot to make the idea very clear between the stakeholders . By visually presenting the model there were many unattended points which were explored , discussions on which helped in mitigating risks and improving the model . Without visual representation of the model , nitty - gritty of the context can be easily missed . While we kept on improving our model during our workshop , we ensured that the final visual model is agreed to everyone . Insight : It was really a revelation to me , that how such a simple graphical representation can help making many complex topics drive in a step manner towards the goal . Without the visualization , our workshop would have been just a superficial discussion without real and required feedbacks from the stakeholders . Visual representation of the model gave stakeholders all the clarity on the proposal hence an opportunity as well to improve it . I believe that visualization tool , although easy to implement , but still requires a lot of practice . Out of habit and hurry many times I have tried to find easier ways , verbal ways , to find out solutions to the issues . However , after finding the effectiveness of the tool I have no doubt that a good practice with this tool will be very helpful for me in the future . Reflection – Visualization ( Africa Market Study ) Approach : For the next time , I can utilize other tools within a particular tool as well . For e.g. While I was researching on various models that could work for the African market , I can very well apply storytelling or Learning Launch tools . “ As Is ” state of the African market and selecting particular data for the “ What If ” stage is not an easy process . Storytelling is quite an effective tool for the same . The details presented in the video of week 2 provides the fundamental for me to utilize this tool . The point is how these tools can make the decision making or solution finding process more structured and dependable . Visualization is no doubt a great tool . A trail and error with other tools will also provide a greater insight into how beneficial other tools can be if applied along with .