Reflection – Storytelling

Challenge

A good story has the power to rally to causes. Some time ago, I worked with some teammates on a  social enterprise’s launching strategy in the sector of handcraft. In general, in the handcraft business,  from a product manufacturer to the final consumer, there are some commercial intermediates:  wholesalers and retailers. We have done a market investigation to confirm the fact that in our case,  intermediates buy those crafts product to artisans at ridiculous prices and make huge profits on  resale. Our aim was to find a way to achieve a better redistribution of crafts products incomes  between their manufacturers who are generally poor, and the intermediates. It is important to note  that most of the handcrafters of our locality are illiterate, especially women. Then we decided to  focus on craftswomen.

Selection

To achieve our goal, we have built a “bridge” between craftswomen and the final consumer of their  products: an intuitive marketplace mobile app tailored for illiterate persons (built essentially on  visuals and auditive tools). But building the app was not all. In order to convert the visitors of our app  into “ethical buyers” as we called them, we have used Storytelling. Story telling is that design  thinking tool which consists in the application of narrative processes in communication to reinforce  the adhesion of the public to the substance of the speech. Why storytelling? We had to find a way to  show to regulars of supermarkets that behind the artisanal products presented in windows, are  sometimes hiding hardworking women who benefit very little from the fruit of their efforts and  struggle daily to take care of their families.

Application

Each product posted on the app is accompanied by a mini biography of its manufacturer, its origin  and the working conditions it is made in. Being able to associate a product to an image and a living  has on clients, a mind changing effect. He/she can buy a little cheaper than in a supermarket, directly  from the root and at the same time remunerate in a better way the working effort behind its  manufacturing.

Insight & Approach

Personally, before working on this project, I didn't ask myself too many questions about the origin of  the artisanal products that I consumed and even less about whether by buying them I was helping a  family or not. But the story of these women sparked in me a commitment to our goal and continues  to engage new persons every day. This is according to me a clear demonstration of the human- centered aspect of design thinking through storytelling.

Solutions that are built on the real needs of their stakeholders have a better impact. This is the  conclusion I drew from this little experience and which I am trying today to integrate into all my  projects.


Reflection – Storytelling Challenge A good story has the power to rally to causes . Some time ago , I worked with some teammates on a social enterprise ’s launching strategy in the sector of handcraft . In general , in the handcraft business , from a product manufacturer to the final consumer , there are some commercial intermediates : wholesalers and retailers . We have done a market investigation to confirm the fact that in our case , intermediates buy those crafts product to artisans at ridiculous prices and make huge profits on resale . Our aim was to find a way to achieve a better redistribution of crafts products incomes between their manufacturers who are generally poor , and the intermediates . It is important to note that most of the handcrafters of our locality are illiterate , especially women . Then we decided to focus on craftswomen . Selection To achieve our goal , we have built a “ bridge ” between craftswomen and the final consumer of their products : an intuitive marketplace mobile app tailored for illiterate persons ( built essentially on visuals and auditive tools ) . But building the app was not all . In order to convert the visitors of our app into “ ethical buyers ” as we called them , we have used Storytelling . Story telling is that design thinking tool which consists in the application of narrative processes in communication to reinforce the adhesion of the public to the substance of the speech . Why storytelling ? We had to find a way to show to regulars of supermarkets that behind the artisanal products presented in windows , are sometimes hiding hardworking women who benefit very little from the fruit of their efforts and struggle daily to take care of their families . Application Each product posted on the app is accompanied by a mini biography of its manufacturer , its origin and the working conditions it is made in . Being able to associate a product to an image and a living has on clients , a mind changing effect . He / she can buy a little cheaper than in a supermarket , directly from the root and at the same time remunerate in a better way the working effort behind its manufacturing . Insight & Approach Personally , before working on this project , I did n't ask myself too many questions about the origin of the artisanal products that I consumed and even less about whether by buying them I was helping a family or not . But the story of these women sparked in me a commitment to our goal and continues to engage new persons every day . This is according to me a clear demonstration of the human- centered aspect of design thinking through storytelling . Solutions that are built on the real needs of their stakeholders have a better impact . This is the conclusion I drew from this little experience and which I am trying today to integrate into all my projects .