Reflection on Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship Blog Writing

This report is a reflection on a student's learning journey in blog writing, focusing on the intersection of design thinking and entrepreneurship. The student explores various concepts, including the 3Fs of investment, design thinking tools like value chain analysis and journey mapping, and the 4Ps of marketing. The reflection highlights the development of skills in problem identification, innovative thinking, and the application of marketing principles. The report also covers topics like 3D printing and the identification of problems, emphasizing the importance of creativity and adapting to the changing business landscape. The student outlines an action plan for self-improvement in key areas, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and its practical applications.

Reflection

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................1
ACTION PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT.......................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Action plan........................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
The report will provide information about learning of blog writing and self-development
from the Design Thinking and entrepreneurship. The learning of individual plays critical role in
making the decisions for future objectives as well initiatives to meet the goals. The report will
consider the knowledge, skills and behaviour of an individual while developing and designing
blogs for different elements. The report will develop plan for 6 months to craft improvement in
the areas of lacking. Moreover, the analysis of self-learning and knowledge will support to
develop the plan for achieving the objectives for managing the skills.
REFLECTION
Learning is the most ongoing activities which could be availed at any point of life
regardless of place, time or situation. The experiences and learning collected through different
situations in surrounding helps in developing own skills and knowledge to the great extent. Blog
writing had made me jot down the points which have been learned by me in various sessions
specifically. The learning collected out of the Answer the question blog had made me think over
the scope of answering the question during a presentation. I came across an interesting fact about
3F’s i.e. friends, family and fools. These 3Fs are meant to invest on our business ideas and turn
them into reality. The funds required to commence with a new idea are been provided by these
three major part of our life. I had learned new ways of approaching these investors which could
lead towards the collection of capital for the business and make our plans real (Gharehchopogh
& Khaze, 2013). Answering the questions raised during the presentation also increases our
presence of mind which helps in responding towards the information quickly.
Design IT is basically a field of problem identification and solutions to the
entrepreneurship. Design thinking is the innovative and creative manner of identifying any
problem and solving the same effectively. With the initiation of the blog writing and the session
I came across immense numbers of facts about design thinking and its concepts related to the
entrepreneurship. There are various design thinking tools which I have learned such as value
chain analysis, brainstorming, journey mapping, prototype, etc. These tools have contributed
1

highly in making my mind for a business idea and thinking over the idea with innovation and
creativity.
The next blog Value chain analysis helped me gain enhanced understanding and
knowledge about the facts of value chain and its related activities. I had learned that value chain
analysis is mainly a tool being used to analyze internal firm activities. Writing the blog made me
learn various new concepts about value chain in manufacturing industry. It revealed the
functionalities being included in the chain to reach the end product. The learning helped me
develop my own conceptual and understanding about the facts of value chain in the industry. I
explored that the value chain analysis is been applied into infrastructure, human resource
management, technology, procurements, etc. and provides with various services effectively (See
blog entry 2, 22nd September, 2017). I developed my knowledge upon the concept over design IT
which would help me in my business or job specifically. The term Design thinking has evolved
as a new word to me and had created immense confusion as well but with the collection of
information and facts about the same made me learn new concept effectively. I even learnt to
manage the activities and conduct the analysis at workplace which could be used in my future
terms effectively (Gereffi & Fernandez-Stark, 2016). Learning makes an individual more
confident and knowledgeable upon specific topic which could be discussed with anyone. The
facts that I have learnt out of the blog could be used by me in any field or situation for my future.
Journey mapping blog made me think over the new ways of jotting down the
information about the planning of any business initiation. I explored that the commencement of
any business requires having proper planning and map to walk on. The journey mapping of a
Kebab shop made me realise the planning requirements and activities needed to attain the desired
objective of any business. I developed my learning skills and knowledge regarding the plan of
the business. The blog helped me learn about the aspects such as purpose of the business, time,
demographic aspect, media, etc. Opening a Kebab shop also needs to focus these aspects so that
to establish the business and achieve the desired outcomes (Liedtka, 2014). I experienced that
having a journey mapping would make the business activities more clear and easy to be carried
out. For instance, what to be targeted, how to be targeted, what to be offered, time, offering, etc.
helps in carrying out a business effectively.
2

The next blog was Prototype, writing a blog had helped me in collecting immense data
and information related to any topic and explore my knowledge specifically. I had learnt many of
the facts and information about different topics which made me use the same in my personal or
professional lives. Here, I came across the information about a mobile application to resolve the
issues of spoiler. Spoiler itself is a mobile application and is been used to solve issues in any
content. Prototype is basically a blueprint of any specific project or model developed to carry out
any of the activity. I had experienced that designing a prototype is critical task but one could
have perfect picture to execute idea and explain in detail with strong benefits of the app. The
prototype of the application had made us learn about the actual process it would take and the
action to be made by the same.
“Design IT”, it is the most extraordinary subject I explored out of the various topics.
This topic is found to be challenging to take risk like blog writing and thinking beyond your
routine lifestyle. It is very difficult to explore any uncommon topic and collect information about
it. I believe that finding out new ideas and topic help us to do something innovative and creative
in the fields of blog writing. I experienced a new concepts and idea of thinking out of box and
making creative activities out of it (See blog entry 5, 14th September, 2017). The design IT or
thinking helped me see the activities prevailing in the surrounding from different viewpoints and
avail the ideas behind the creativity. It largely helped me in understanding the advertisements,
meaning of the tag lines, logo of the organisations as it allow to think out of box specifically
(Johansson‐Sköldberg.et.al, 2013). I even explored that thinking beyond the innovation or
creativity provides you with a different image and viewpoint. This proves to be highly profitable
in the business activities as well as the personal situations.
The blog written on 3D “ctrl+P” ing is mainly about the 3d printing technology which is
been considered as the latest technology in the modern era. I had found that 3D printing
technology in now a day playing important roles in developing the things in some creative
manner so that to make any prototype of the component. The creative and innovative 3D
prototype helps in describing the products in an attractive approach and would be able to explore
the same effectively. I came across the new ways of approaching the customers and making them
aware about the products in more clear and specific manner. I learnt that in present competitive
era, it is very important to be attractive and interesting. It requires to catch the attention of people
3

so that to make them purchase the product and add the profitability factor. This approach could
be used in any manner to either sell products or the brand among the people.
In my next class, I discovered new topic i.e. 4P’s which means price, place, promotion
and product. The 4P’s of marketing define the values of products and services to be introduced
in the market by the organisation. With this my learning had been enhanced with more new
concepts of marketing and carrying out a business. The blog writing highly benefited me in
carrying my own business activities and implements the same effectively. I came across
information about the elements of marketing and its benefits which made me learn how to
conduct marketing activities. Design thinking had helped me look over the business issues and
find an innovative solution of the same. Bringing innovation and creativity in any of the product
or services tends to attract more people and contributes in the success of the business eventually.
It helped me think in new ways and moulded my ideas into creativity by making use of the
concepts of design IT. Developing own interest and knowledge upon specific area of business
also helps in bringing improvements in the real life activities. I explored that executing these 4
P’s help business in expanding its roots and acquiring greater number of customer segments
towards it (Liedtka, 2015). The design thinking concept had made me learn new ways of
marketing such as using visual elements, design as communication, etc. Earlier, I do not acquire
much knowledge about the marketing activities and was having different misconceptions about
the same. But with this blog, I learnt the actual facts and was able to relate the same to my
business activities. I even developed my skills and knowledge of marketing which could be used
in my future effectively.
Elephant in the room, having heard about this phrase was just a term but with this blog I
came to know the actual meaning of the phrase. The phrase ‘Elephant in the room’ basically
means to identify the specific problem behind any situation. The designers things about any
situation in different manner and identifies the issues accordingly. This blog made me learn
about the problem identification and implementing the solution over it. In the present
technological era, we have observed immense new products that have been innovated for lazy
people. The products such as electrical tooth brush or electric trimmer are some common
examples of innovation which could lead to any issues as well (Levick-Parkin & Hanson, 2015).
I had learnt the concept of elephant in the room by thinking from a different point of view to
4

encounter the issues and deliver the right information out of the same. Finding elephant in the
room is the innovative way of doing something which is out of box or could be said next to
impossible.
The next blog includes discussion regarding the Brainstorming for prototype which is a
problem related to a spoiler block. Here I came again with a new topic and concept which has
not been heard by me earlier. This is another element of design It which helps in thinking in
innovative and creative manner. It helps in evaluating one’s own mind and extracting new ideas
over business activities. I explored new idea and functionality of innovative application which is
been used to eliminate the videos or updates about the daily serials. I discovered that the
application blocks the flash updates and helps you avoid any of the particular video of posts you
don’t desires to watch. I had learnt new technological acts of making such application or
conducting any activities with its helps. Brainstorming is basically the discussion about any issue
and collecting different ideas towards a single solution (Krone, 2017). I even observed that
having many technological options also includes more complications and issues rather than
usefulness.
The next session we discussed making poster design as how it should be and how to
figure out the design. I explored the process of design thinking in more detailed manner and
found that the thinking goes with empathise, define, ideate and prototype. I identified that
thinking with the design point of view involves creative and innovative ideas which allows us to
think over new faces. Out of the blog, I discovered that the information collected for the design
thinking leads us towards new avenues and help in developing effective results out of it. I saw
that design thinking had drafted the activities and had made people work differently regardless of
any typical process. As per the design thinking, idea generated over any aspect includes focus
over innovation and development of new different concepts specifically. Even, it has been
experienced that considering the elements such as empathise, define, ideate and prototype would
just not lead to effectiveness but also requires to be implemented effectively. It is very important
that proper execution of the activities is done.
I collected immense data and information regarding the design thinking process and its
application as well. Out of the activities, I came to know that design thinking could be applied to
any kind of concepts of situations. It includes higher scope of improvements and could be carried
5

out in any manner. Design thinking allows introducing new ideas and concepts over any products
and makes the things possible. It has been even identified that many of the products such as
gravity light or Google keep have been invented to make an addition into creativity and
innovation of the thinking. It even displays a group performance where people make things
happen, people watch things happen and people wonder things happen (Filatro.et.al, 2017).
Design thinking had been emerged with an effective approach by providing people with new
ways of thinking and doing something new by moving out of their typical structures.
In my previous session I learnt that process of learning design thinking is different and
innovative way. The designers design their ideas and prototype by drawing notes and place them
handy which could be assessed again and rate further. I had experienced and learned that any
activity could not be performed individually and requires having an effective team work.
Working in group gives better idea generation and could encourage getting innovative ideas out
of the mind. Group working largely benefits in acquiring better innovative options and carry out
effective brainstorming for any of the issues particularly. The session also made me learn about
hyper loop and solar city concepts along with the implementation of that idea (Manzini & Coad,
2015). I explored immense varied facts about the innovative ideas which could be used in my
future purposes. I could exchange the learning with my belongings to spread more knowledge
among them.
On overall basis, I have experienced and learnt immense number of ideas and knowledge
regarding design thinking which could be used to develop my knowledge towards
entrepreneurship specifically. Having learnt about design thinking and entrepreneurial activities,
I realised that improvement is an ongoing act which is been carried out through the entire life.
Learning could be availed from any aspects or activity and used for the better future. Developing
skills and knowledge would make me more confident and positive towards the business activities
to be carried out by me in future. I came across a fact that I myself need immense improvements
in various areas which must be developed effectively.
ACTION PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT
In order to enhance my capabilities and knowledge, it is very important to identify the
core areas of improvements and bring specific development into it. With the help of my own
6

evaluation, I found that I am still lacking in some areas which could hamper my potential in both
professional and personal lives. It is been expected that the qualities could be improved in
approximately 6 months having proper actions towards the lacking. Thus, below is the action
plan developed to identify the area of qualities and making effective improvements into the
same:
Table 1: Action plan
Qualities Lacking Action for
Improvement
Time period (months)
Time management
Distributing proper
time among activities
and managing the
time.
Following proper time
management strategies
and making proper
time table for the
accomplishment of the
tasks
2
Creativity and
Innovation
Thinking with
different perspectives
to have innovative
ideas (Parkay.et.al,
2014)
Having brainstorming,
mind mapping, etc.
would help me
evaluate the situation.
It would improve this
quality by observing
people and relating the
innovative facts with
the same.
1
Leadership skills
I sometime lack in
leading people and
boasting their morale
Using effective
leadership tactics and
communicating with
the staff would help
me lead them
effectively.
2
7

Decision making
Accurate and Precise
decision becomes
difficult in some
situation
Participated in
meetings and
evaluating the facts to
make proper decisions
1
CONCLUSION
The above discussion concludes that learning is an ongoing activity which could be
availed at any point of life regardless of place, time or situation. It has been seen that writing the
blog makes learn various new concepts and understanding about diversified topics. It helps in
finding out new ideas about any situation to do something innovative and creative in the fields of
blog writing. It has been even explored that thinking beyond the innovation or creativity provides
you with a different image and viewpoint towards a situation specifically.
8

REFERENCES
Books and journals:
Filatro, A., Cavalcanti, C. C., & Muckenberger, E. (2017). Design Thinking and Online
Education.
Gereffi, G., & Fernandez-Stark, K. (2016). Global value chain analysis: a primer.
Gharehchopogh, F. S., & Khaze, S. R. (2013). Data mining application for cyber space users
tendency in blog writing: a case study. arXiv preprint arXiv:1307.7432.
Johansson‐Sköldberg, U., Woodilla, J., & Çetinkaya, M. (2013). Design thinking: past, present
and possible futures. Creativity and Innovation Management, 22(2), 121-146.
Krone, R. (2017). Not Just Guess Work--Tips for Observation, Brainstorming, and Prototyping.
Techniques in Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
Levick-Parkin, M., & Hanson, M. (2015). Design thinking together: how to share the
‘designerly’way of looking at things in order to co-create insights relevant to research
participants.
Liedtka, J. (2014). Innovative ways companies are using design thinking. Strategy & Leadership,
42(2), 40-45.
Liedtka, J. (2015). Perspective: Linking design thinking with innovation outcomes through
cognitive bias reduction. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 32(6), 925-938.
Manzini, E., & Coad, R. (2015). Design, When Everybody Designs: An Introduction to Design
for Social Innovation, Design Thinking, Design Theory.
Parkay, F. W., Anctil, E. J., & Hass, G. (2014). Curriculum leadership: Readings for developing
quality educational programs. Prentice Hall.
9