Example Reflection – Learning Launch

Challenge & Selection

The tool that I chose to use was the tool of Learning Launch, which is defined as a small experiment  that tests your new idea in the real market. I believe in the value of using this approach since it can  provide the required validation to the ideas arrived at based primarily on assumptions, which would  support the success in its implementation.

The idea being considered is the feasibility of becoming a Digital Transformation Consultant. Digital  Transformation is the adoption of digital technology to transform services or businesses, through  replacing non-digital or manual processes with digital processes or replacing older digital technology  with newer digital technology (Wikipedia). I have over fifteen (15) years of experience in the ITC  market, both in hardware and software. With the world now experiencing the Covid 19 pandemic,  many businesses have been forced to close down due to loss in demand/ government regulations  prohibiting its operation to prevent the spread of the virus. I believe that because of this, many  companies will consider the value of digitizing their businesses to take advantage of its benefits,  primarily cost reductions.

The technique I used was to conduct an experiment with a company to show the value of digitization  to encourage their adoption.

Application

The company I selected was a real estate agency. It was comprised of a managing director, an office  manager and five (5) agents. I first wanted to see how their Value Chain was set up. The Sourcing  segment for the  real estate opportunities were their existing contact list, a Real Estate Website they  were a member of, as well as emails and calls made to them from persons who were referred to  them.

For the Operations segment of the Value Chain, first the agents would visit to inspect the properties  which they were considering for sale or rent. They would then take photos for marketing purposes  and conduct interviews with the owners to get full details on the premises and the terms of the  deals they were willing to consider. The information is then sent to the office manager who records  and files the details and builds the advertisements for the properties.

For the Distribution segment, the advertisements are posted on the internet and via email. The  agents would then conduct site visits with the prospective tenants, contact the owners concerning  any additional questions or offers being made, and arrange the processing of the sales/rental  agreement.

One of the challenges that was revealed was that the office manager felt overworked by all the  activities she had to do for all the agents. Another was that there were some challenges with the  assignment of ownership of the opportunities, sometimes with more than one agent working on the  same opportunity.

My solution to them was to adopt an Enterprise Resource Planning/ Customer Relationship  Management solution that was offered by a leading global IT Solutions provider. The solution could  connect to the website and email addresses to upload the opportunities whether they were from

buyers or sellers. It would then send an alert to the team that an opportunity was now open. The  team member would then take ownership of the opportunity and continuously post updates to  show its progression. It would serve as a repository for all the photos and details of the  opportunities which would reduce the workload of the office manager. It would also provide other  information such as statements on the performance of the company, invoice generation, and other  data analytic offerings which made the managing director excited.

Insight & Approach

From the Learning Launch I performed, it confirmed that the Digital Transformation Consultant  would be a good area to focus on in my country and region. The approach I took was not product  focussed but customer focussed. I saw the difficulties that the company was facing that even though  they were small in size, the challenge of keeping up to date with the progress of opportunities was  not only time consuming but led to productivity wastage. In addition to that, with its adoption it will  lead to the agents being able to work on more opportunities and provide better customer service.

I do see the value of Learning Launch as it does offer the ability to customers to experience the  values of the ideas being presented and indicate whether future investment should be made given  its positive outlook. If the idea is disproved, they can then focus their resources on ‘tweaking’ it to  correct any faults or to explore new ideas.


Example Reflection – Learning Launch Challenge & Selection The tool that I chose to use was the tool of Learning Launch , which is defined as a small experiment that tests your new idea in the real market . I believe in the value of using this approach since it can provide the required validation to the ideas arrived at based primarily on assumptions , which would support the success in its implementation . The idea being considered is the feasibility of becoming a Digital Transformation Consultant . Digital Transformation is the adoption of digital technology to transform services or businesses , through replacing non - digital or manual processes with digital processes or replacing older digital technology with newer digital technology ( Wikipedia ) . I have over fifteen ( 15 ) years of experience in the ITC market , both in hardware and software . With the world now experiencing the Covid 19 pandemic , many businesses have been forced to close down due to loss in demand/ government regulations prohibiting its operation to prevent the spread of the virus . I believe that because of this , many companies will consider the value of digitizing their businesses to take advantage of its benefits , primarily cost reductions . The technique I used was to conduct an experiment with a company to show the value of digitization to encourage their adoption . Application The company I selected was a real estate agency . It was comprised of a managing director , an office manager and five ( 5 ) agents . I first wanted to see how their Value Chain was set up . The Sourcing segment for the real estate opportunities were their existing contact list , a Real Estate Website they were a member of , as well as emails and calls made to them from persons who were referred to them . For the Operations segment of the Value Chain , first the agents would visit to inspect the properties which they were considering for sale or rent . They would then take photos for marketing purposes and conduct interviews with the owners to get full details on the premises and the terms of the deals they were willing to consider . The information is then sent to the office manager who records and files the details and builds the advertisements for the properties . For the Distribution segment , the advertisements are posted on the internet and via email . The agents would then conduct site visits with the prospective tenants , contact the owners concerning any additional questions or offers being made , and arrange the processing of the sales / rental agreement . One of the challenges that was revealed was that the office manager felt overworked by all the activities she had to do for all the agents . Another was that there were some challenges with the assignment of ownership of the opportunities , sometimes with more than one agent working on the same opportunity . My solution to them was to adopt an Enterprise Resource Planning/ Customer Relationship Management solution that was offered by a leading global IT Solutions provider . The solution could connect to the website and email addresses to upload the opportunities whether they were from buyers or sellers . It would then send an alert to the team that an opportunity was now open . The team member would then take ownership of the opportunity and continuously post updates to show its progression . It would serve as a repository for all the photos and details of the opportunities which would reduce the workload of the office manager . It would also provide other information such as statements on the performance of the company , invoice generation , and other data analytic offerings which made the managing director excited . Insight & Approach From the Learning Launch I performed , it confirmed that the Digital Transformation Consultant would be a good area to focus on in my country and region . The approach I took was not product focussed but customer focussed . I saw the difficulties that the company was facing that even though they were small in size , the challenge of keeping up to date with the progress of opportunities was not only time consuming but led to productivity wastage . In addition to that , with its adoption it will lead to the agents being able to work on more opportunities and provide better customer service . I do see the value of Learning Launch as it does offer the ability to customers to experience the values of the ideas being presented and indicate whether future investment should be made given its positive outlook . If the idea is disproved , they can then focus their resources on ‘ tweaking ’ it to correct any faults or to explore new ideas .