Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Summary
There are two ways for organizations to grow: organically (i.e., through internal development) or inorganically (i.e., through mergers and acquisitions.) In this session, Jorge Arango discusses how designers can help their organizations grow inorganically. We cover design's role in creating a whole that's greater than the sum of its parts and learn three "plays" to help us chart a path towards more cohesive product experiences.
Key Insights
-
•
Mergers and acquisitions often lead to cultural clashes that can complicate integration efforts.
-
•
Design can play a crucial role in addressing the challenges posed by merging distinct organizational cultures.
-
•
Successful inorganic growth requires effective communication and a shared vision between acquired teams.
-
•
Confusing product portfolios can emerge from overlapping functionalities or vague distinctions between products post-acquisition.
-
•
Designers can synthesize information, bridging conceptual gaps and aligning language between teams.
-
•
The ability to facilitate meaningful discussions is vital for aligning team efforts and achieving coherence.
-
•
Conceptual modeling aids in clarifying relationships and user tasks before diving into screen-level design artifacts.
-
•
Leadership plays a critical role in supporting successful integration while design can provide tools and frameworks to aid this process.
-
•
There is often a struggle between top-down and bottom-up decision-making that needs balance during integration.
-
•
Cultural integration is as important as product integration, affecting overall organizational success.
Notable Quotes
"Inorganic growth can expand an organization’s offerings quickly but often leads to chaos in practice."
"Design can alleviate the confusion caused by merging teams by creating more coherent user experiences."
"Cultural integration is crucial because culture eats strategy for breakfast."
"The challenges of mergers are not just engineering challenges but are deeply rooted in cultural and organizational dynamics."
"A shared sense of purpose can significantly ease the integration process post-acquisition."
"Design projects can act as catalysts for difficult conversations that need to happen within organizations."
"Effective communication structures and aligned incentives are necessary for successful integration."
"Vision types serve to expand the boundaries of what an organization can achieve in a merger context."
"Conceptual modeling helps teams focus on user tasks and avoid contradictions in the system."
"Design is not just about making products usable; it can also help realize strategic objectives in times of rapid change."
More Videos
"We're often looking at symptoms rather than digging down to solve for root causes."
Sheryl Cababa Alexis OhThinking in systems to address climate with Sheryl Cababa
June 12, 2024
"This assistant will not do everything; you must remain in charge of it."
Louis Rosenfeld Billy Carlson Jon Fukuda Maria TaylorHow AI will Change DesignOps Tooling
October 3, 2023
"A good prompt structure and feedback are crucial for successful AI interaction."
Kelly DernAI as a Design Partner: How to Get the Most Out of AI Tools to Scale Your Process
October 3, 2023
"Let's celebrate the progress while recognizing there's still much to do."
Ariel KennanTheme Two Intro
November 17, 2022
"Not every Design Ops person is the same; each company has unique needs that shape the role."
Dave Malouf Meredith Black Farid SabitovThe Past, Present, and Future of DesignOps: a 2-part DesignOps Community Call (Part 1)
February 17, 2022
"Engagement from stakeholders can lead to unforeseen disruptions during research sessions."
Sarah RinkRemote User Research: Dos and Don'ts from the Virtual Field
June 11, 2020
"Accessibility is useful for everyone, and there’s an inevitable future where all of us will need accessible products."
Sam ProulxMobile Accessibility: Why Moving Accessibility Beyond the Desktop is Critical in a Mobile-first World
September 8, 2022
"The challenge was how to create a tool to rapidly gather and integrate feedback."
Wyatt HaymanGlobal Research Panels
August 8, 2020
"Public displays foster engagement and trust among teams."
Elizabeth ChurchillExploring Cadence: You, Your Team, and Your Enterprise
June 8, 2017
