Summary
Designers are known for their ability to make connections—to take in a wide variety of diverse data points and find meaning through patterns and associations. As designers in enterprise, we can use this ability to be more effective partners and leaders. In his journey with design at ExxonMobil, Nick Cochran has thrived on finding and making these organizational connections. This talk will highlight how he has used this ability, featuring examples of connections made and some he wished were made sooner. He will also share some practical methods to collect these data points so that more valuable connections can be made.
Key Insights
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A life-changing connection can have long-lasting impacts on career and personal life.
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Pivoting to web design helped Nick turn a frustration into a successful business by understanding customer needs.
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The importance of connecting design initiatives to organizational goals for gaining support and resources.
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Creating opportunities for meaningful conversations can uncover valuable insights and collaboration potentials.
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Fostering a design culture requires continuous engagement and motivation within the organization.
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Designers can help organize complexity and bring clarity to chaos in enterprise settings.
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Encouraging cross-discipline collaborations can enhance creativity and effectiveness in design projects.
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Establishing communities and networks within a company can facilitate knowledge sharing and growth.
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Leaders should spotlight their teams’ achievements to encourage further innovation and contribution.
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Effective connection-making requires curiosity, intentionality, and action.
Notable Quotes
"Finding and making a simple connection changed the course of my life for the better."
"In enterprise, working can feel like chaos; often times, our direction is not clear."
"A motivated continuous effort to understand connections and act effectively is needed for sense-making."
"If we can bring clarity where there is none before, it's work that's worth it."
"Designers are uniquely suited to tackle the chaos that comes with enterprise."
"We created a class called User Centered Design 101 to introduce the value of design."
"Every conversation is an opportunity to learn and make connections."
"Explore connections outside of your silo to gather diverse insights."
"Get the connections out of your head; sharing them can help others find value."
"As leaders, we should serve by spotlighting the great work of our team rather than seeking attention for ourselves."
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