"AI in Business Transformation”  - Act 01 - Scene 11 –  Cindy Candrian

https://www.delta-labs.ch/

In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of AI in today’s business landscape with expert Cindy Candrian, founder of Delta Labs. Cindy shares insights from her journey, including her pioneering research on human-AI interaction and her work developing “Delta One,” a tool designed to streamline corporate communication. We explore the challenges companies face in adopting AI, the importance of user trust, and how AI can empower rather than replace human roles. Tune in to discover how AI can drive efficiency, reshape marketing, and redefine the workplace without losing the essential human touch.

Takeaways:
- AI is not a bubble; it's a sustainable technology.
- User trust is crucial for successful AI implementation.
- Companies must focus on upskilling employees for AI.
- Effective design choices can build user trust in AI tools.
- AI can significantly enhance marketing and communication efforts.
- Embedding AI into workflows leads to better user reception.
- Cultural and linguistic considerations are vital in AI applications.
- AI can improve efficiency in sectors like banking and healthcare.
- Ethical considerations in AI include bias and transparency.
- The best outcomes come from combining human expertise with AI capabilities.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

"The Design Conductors" - Act 01 - Scene 11 – Rachel Posman & John Calhoun

https://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/design-operations/

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Posman and John Calhoun, leading experts in Design Operations, to discuss their new book, The Design Conductor. Together, we explore the essential role of Design Ops in bridging design and operational strategy, highlighting its value across varying stages of team maturity, even in today’s challenging economic landscape.

Takeaways:

• Design ops is essential regardless of team size or maturity.
• The intersection of design and operations creates a harmonious workflow.
• The book serves as a much-needed resource for design operations practitioners.
• Understanding the signals of change is crucial for design ops practitioners.
• Design ops can help navigate both growth and contraction in teams.
• The journey from soloist to symphony reflects the growth of design teams.
• Design ops practitioners must focus on what the design team needs.
• The book includes insights from various voices in the design ops community.
• Design maturity impacts the approach to design operations.
• There are multiple paths for growth in design roles beyond management. Design Ops skills are applicable across various operational disciplines.
• Leading with values is essential for effective Design Ops.
• Inclusion in teams leads to better product outcomes.
• Healthy friction in teams can enhance decision-making.
• Adapting frameworks is crucial for different team needs.
• Change management is a core aspect of Design Ops.
• DesignOps is fundamentally about design processes.
• AI can automate routine tasks in Design Ops.
• Collaboration between design and operations creates real value.
• Understanding the influence of team dynamics is vital.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

"The User Experience team of One" - Act 01 - Scene 10 - Joe Natoli

Link to the book: ⁠https://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/the-user-experience-team-of-one-second-edition/⁠

Link to Joe's AI Course: ⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/genai-fundamentals-for-ux-designers-researchers/

In this episode, Joe dives into his journey of co-creating the influential book "The User Experience Team of One with Leah Buley. He shares insights into the unique challenges UX professionals face working solo and how the book provides practical strategies to help overcome these obstacles. Joe discusses key themes from the book, such as advocating for UX in small teams, building stakeholder relationships, and developing lean, efficient processes. Whether you’re a UX practitioner in a large organization or a team of one, this episode provides valuable takeaways on making the most of limited resources to create user-centred designs.

Takeaways:

• There's no better guide to practical methods in UX.
• UX has not evolved to show business value effectively.
• Substantive conversations require understanding stakeholders' needs.
• The user experience should prioritize business goals first.
• Educating others about UX value is crucial for success.
• Effective communication is critical in the UX industry.
• Positioning as a consultant enhances perceived value.
• AI will play a significant role in the future of UX.
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential.
• Minimizing risk in decision-making is vital for UX professionals.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

"Misunderstandings of Ghosting & UX Recruitment” - Act 01 - Scene 9 – Lena Kul

In this episode, Lena Kul dives into the challenges of UX recruitment and offers valuable advice for both candidates and hiring managers. She discusses the evolving landscape of hiring in the design industry, the misconceptions around applicant tracking systems (ATS), and the crucial role of portfolios in demonstrating a designer’s process. Lena also tackles the problem of ghosting in recruitment and shares strategies to navigate today’s competitive job market. She also introduces her course, which is designed to help candidates refine their job search and portfolio presentation for success.

Lenas Promotional Code:
https://maven.com/lena-kul/master-your-product-design-and-ux-research-job-search?promoCode=DesignOpsAligned

 Takeaways:

• UX recruitment is a fresh discipline that needs tailored processes.
• The current job market is chaotic and requires new strategies.
• Hiring managers face immense pressure and often lack support.
• Ghosting is a significant issue, but not as prevalent as perceived.
• ATS systems are often misunderstood; they are not as advanced as believed.
• Portfolios should showcase the design process, not just the final product.
• Designers need to articulate the impact of their work on business outcomes.
• Candidates have more power in the job search than they realize.
• Networking and building relationships are crucial in today's job market.
• Lena's course offers valuable insights into job search strategies and portfolio development.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

"How business knowledge and communication can elevate your career?" - Act 01 - Scene 8 - Meltem Naz Kaso

In this conversation, Meltem Naz Kaso, a UX career coach, discusses the challenges and opportunities in the UX industry.

The discussion covers the importance of career coaching and how it helps professionals navigate the current job market. It also explores the need for UX professionals to understand the business side of their work and how it improves collaboration with product managers. Additionally, She touches on the significance of storytelling and pitching ideas in the design field. The conversation emphasizes the importance of effective communication in the tech industry, particularly in storytelling, pitching, and written communication. She also highlights the challenges of language and cultural differences in international teams, stressing the need for self-awareness and curiosity to improve communication skills.

The lost art of writing and the impact of AI on the UX field are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of being critical and intentional when using AI tools. Lastly, the discussion explores the concept of future-proofing careers and the value of networking and building relationships within the industry.

Takeaways:

• Career coaching can help UX professionals navigate the job market challenges and find fulfilment in their careers.
• Understanding the business side of UX work is crucial for effective collaboration with product managers.
• Developing storytelling and pitching skills is essential for UX professionals to communicate their ideas and gain buy-in from stakeholders.
• Building solid relationships with product managers and other team members requires mutual respect and clear boundaries. 
• Language and cultural differences in international teams can pose challenges to effective communication.
• Self-awareness and curiosity are vital in improving communication skills.
• Written communication is essential for clarity, alignment, and building company culture.
• AI tools can speed up work, but using them critically and intentionally is essential.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

"Bridging the Gap Between Design and Development" - Act 01 - Scene 7 - Noelle Lansford

Noelle Lansford, a product designer and design systems expert, discusses the importance of having development knowledge for UI designers. She explains that while UX and UI are often combined in smaller teams, there is value in understanding the scientific aspects of UX and the code and development aspects of UI. Noelle emphasizes the benefits of having a general knowledge of UX, UI, and development as a product designer, as it allows for better collaboration with development teams and a deeper understanding of the development pipeline. She also shares her personal journey of being a designer and developer and the challenges she faced in balancing both roles. The conversation covered various topics related to the design and development industry, including the challenges of being proficient in both design and development, the importance of not losing sight of one's passion, the need for collaboration and communication between designers and developers, the role of designers in understanding technical constraints, and the question of whether designers should be embedded in development teams or in the business side of the company. The conversation also touched on the importance of designers delivering business value and the need for designers to wear multiple hats, including business negotiation and storytelling.

Takeaways:

• UX and UI are often combined in smaller teams, but understanding the scientific aspects of UX and the code and development aspects of UI is valuable.
• As a product designer, having a general knowledge of UX, UI, and development allows for better collaboration with development teams and a deeper understanding of the development pipeline.
• Knowing development knowledge as a UI designer helps communicate effectively with developers, understand the scope, and avoid scope bloat.
• Designers with development knowledge can bridge the gap between design and development, resulting in better collaboration and more accurate design implementation.
• Balancing both design and development roles can be challenging, but proficiency in both can open up opportunities and lead to a deeper understanding of the design and development process. Don't lose sight of your passion while trying to excel in both.
• Collaboration and communication between designers and developers are crucial for successful projects.
• Designers should understand technical constraints and work closely with developers to create feasible designs.
• The question of whether designers should be embedded in development teams or in the business side of the company depends on the organization and the specific project.
• Designers should focus on delivering business value and be willing to wear multiple hats, including business negotiation and storytelling.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

"The Decline in Quality and Redundancy of UX Teams" - Act 01 - Scene 6 - Dr. Nick Fine

The current state of the UX industry is characterized by a lack of standardization and a high signal-to-noise ratio. Many newcomers are drawn to something that is sold as UX but isn't truly UX. This has led to teams being made redundant and the quality of UX practices being declined. The industry has also seen an influx of product managers who try to do everything themselves, leading to a lack of trust and respect for UX professionals. Additionally, there is a growing issue of ageism and discrimination in the field, with experienced UX practitioners being overlooked in favour of juniors. To address these challenges, there is a need for a more scientific and evidence-driven approach to UX, as well as a focus on critical thinking and the transfer of knowledge from senior UX professionals to younger practitioners. The conversation explores the distinction between UX and UI design, the evolution of the UXUI field, the challenges of building good products, and the importance of process and research in portfolios.

Takeaways:

• The UX industry lacks standardization and has a high signal-to-noise ratio.
• Newcomers are drawn to something that is sold as UX but isn't truly UX.
• There is a decline in the quality of UX practices, making teams redundant.
• There is a lack of trust and respect for UX professionals, mainly from product managers.
• Ageism and discrimination are prevalent in the field, with experienced UX practitioners being overlooked.
• A more scientific and evidence-driven approach to UX and a focus on critical thinking and knowledge transfer are needed. UX and UI are distinct disciplines with different skill sets.
• The UXUI field has evolved from a focus on interaction design to a focus on high-fidelity visual design.
• The industry has forgotten how to build good products, and committees and false notions of agile are to blame
• Portfolios should showcase the process, thinking, and involvement in creating the work.
• Advocating for UX principles and demonstrating the ability to generate valid insight quickly are important in portfolios.
• The conversation highlights the need for more vocal advocates for user-centric UX.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

"The Importance of Career Strategy in UX Design" - DesignOpsAligned - Act 1 Scene 05 - Goodness Adebayo

Goodness Adabayo, author of the UX Career Strategy book, discusses her inspiration for writing the book and the importance of mentorship in the UX design field. She emphasizes the need to understand the fundamentals of UX design and how it goes beyond just creating visually appealing designs. Goodness also shares insights on building a portfolio that stands out by solving real problems and telling a compelling story. She highlights the importance of marketing oneself and being present on platforms like LinkedIn to create visibility and attract opportunities. Goodness encourages overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing failure as part of the learning process in UX design. The conversation with Goodness Adabayo focused on continuous learning and a growth mindset in UX design. Goodness shared her experience creating a private group for people who purchased her book and how one person got a job by consistently sharing what she was learning. Goodness emphasized the need to keep posting and sharing knowledge, even if you're not an expert, as it shows your willingness to learn and improve. The conversation also touched on the challenges of imposter syndrome and handling criticism in the design field.

Takeaways:

• Understanding the fundamentals of UX design is crucial for success in the field.
• Building an outstanding portfolio involves solving real problems and telling a compelling story.
• Marketing oneself and being present on platforms like LinkedIn is essential for creating visibility and attracting opportunities.
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing failure as part of the learning process is vital in UX design. Continuous learning is essential in this field, as technology and systems are constantly evolving.
• Consistently sharing what you're learning can help you stand out and increase your chances of getting a job.
• Separating yourself from your designs and focusing on problem-solving can help overcome imposter syndrome and handle criticism.
• Having a growth mindset and being open to learning new skills, such as marketing and branding, can enhance your career prospects in UX design.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

"Behavioural Science: The missing link in design?" - DesignOpsAligned - Act 01 - Scene 04 - Will Trump

In this conversation, Naresh Shan interviews Will Trump, a behavioural scientist, about integrating behavioural science into UX design. They discuss the definition of behavioural science and its application in designing environments to shape human behaviour. Will emphasizes the importance of motivation in addition to good UX design and introduces the COMB model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior) as a framework for designing persuasive experiences. They also explore the ethical considerations of using behavioural science in design and the benefits of treating customers well. The role of behavioural science in improving messaging, choice architecture, and timing of offers will be highlighted. 

Takeaways:

• What is Behavioral Science? Understanding how humans behave and applying psychological principles to design environments that shape behaviour.
• Beyond Good UX: Motivation is as crucial as usability in influencing user behaviour.
• The COMB Model: Delving into the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior framework for designing persuasive experiences.
• Ethical Considerations: The importance of honesty and integrity when applying behavioural science in design.
• Customer Empathy: Grasping the underlying drivers of behaviour, including subconscious factors users might not express.
• Collaborative Synergy: How behavioural scientists and designers can work together to overcome behavioural barriers.
• Transitioning Roles: Tips for UX researchers looking to incorporate behavioural science into their practice.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast

"The Challenges in UX" - DesignOpsAligned - Act 01 - Scene 03 - Debbie Levitt

The conversation explores the challenges faced by UX designers and researchers in the industry, including the misconception that their work is easy and the lack of understanding and appreciation for their role. It discusses the need for good UX leadership to address these issues and advocates for making conversations about quality and accountability. The conversation also touches on the current climate and how it may impact industry standards and the ability to advocate for change. It addresses the notion of designers being too dogmatic and highlights the importance of critical thinking to challenge gaslighting and false narratives. In this conversation, Debbie Levitt and Naresh Shan discuss the challenges and future of the UX industry. They touch on topics such as the importance of empathy, the role of product managers in UX, and the ideal UX process. They also explore the potential impact of AI on the field and the need for critical thinking, strategy, and quality in UX work.

Takeaways:

• UX designers and researchers face challenges such as the misconception that their work is easy and the lack of understanding and appreciation for their role.
• Good UX leadership addresses these challenges and creates a supportive design environment.
• Conversations about quality and accountability can be effective in advocating for change and addressing issues in the industry.
• In the current climate, where job security may be a concern, designers may need to pick their battles wisely and prioritize their well-being.
• Critical thinking is essential in challenging gaslighting and false narratives, and designers should not internalize blame for systemic issues. Empathy is crucial in UX work, but many businesses prioritize their own needs over the needs of users.
• The role of product managers in UX is evolving, and there is a potential for UX and product management to merge.
• The ideal UX process follows a human-centred design, starting with research and observation, framing the problem, developing a strategy, and evaluating and iterating on solutions.
• The future of the UX industry is uncertain, and AI could potentially replace certain aspects of UX work.
• To ensure the future of the field, it is important to push for critical thinking, strategy, and quality in UX work.

Don't forget to:
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.
🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more insights.
💬 Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

Follow Us:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aligned-podcast-show/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedpodcastshow/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alignedpodcastshow

• X: https://x.com/aligned_podcast