The Design Advantage Workshop – Thoughts + Reflections
The Design Advantage Workshop – Thoughts + Reflections
Thu, 12/08/2011 - 12:37
In a two-part series, on November 24th and 29th, the Urban Development Institute, in combination with the Sauder School of Business at UBC, held the inaugural Design Advantage Workshop. A group of 25 creative and critical thinkers, all under the age of 40, gathered to take part in a process that combines analytical skills with creative brainstorming, to analyze the issue of affordability in the housing industry in British Columbia. We had two members from our Boffo Family of Companies team attend the workshop. They came away with the following insights:
- Affordability in the real estate market will not be the work of a single revolutionary. It will need to be an organic realization of an entire generation.
- The challenges of Affordability in the housing market are paralleled by challenges of small business owners in Vancouver. High lease costs, minimal storage and poor proximity to urban centers deter potential home owners and entrepreneurs.
- We base our problem solving decisions on market research, rather then user research. Our vision for the future cannot be based on what we want, but rather what we need.
- Realizing & maximizing profits, while tackling the issue of affordability is a difficult task. Strategy sessions are an important tool to help guide the goals of development.
- No idea is a bad idea; collect user data, brainstorm the issues, provide solutions, filter through the solutions and collectively decide.
Thinking strategies that encompassed creative, critical and design thinking were used to analyze the situation, generate ideas and form insights on the housing industry as a whole. Attendees were encouraged to try new ideas, create prototypes, form a business model and never be afraid to try something new. The outcome of the two part workshop led to inspired professionals with a renewed commitment to tackle some of the more difficult issues surrounding the housing industry in BC. The Boffo Family of Companies was grateful for the opportunity to be involved with this workshop, and, all in all, with the amazing outcome that was realized due to the Urban Development Institute’s and Sauder School of Business’ progressive industry efforts.
By Daniel Boffo - Principal, Boffo Family of Companies
The Design Advantage Workshop – Thoughts + Reflections
Thu, 12/08/2011 - 12:37In a two-part series, on November 24th and 29th, the Urban Development Institute, in combination with the Sauder School of Business at UBC, held the inaugural Design Advantage Workshop. A group of 25 creative and critical thinkers, all under the age of 40, gathered to take part in a process that combines analytical skills with creative brainstorming, to analyze the issue of affordability in the housing industry in British Columbia. We had two members from our Boffo Family of Companies team attend the workshop. They came away with the following insights:
- Affordability in the real estate market will not be the work of a single revolutionary. It will need to be an organic realization of an entire generation.
- The challenges of Affordability in the housing market are paralleled by challenges of small business owners in Vancouver. High lease costs, minimal storage and poor proximity to urban centers deter potential home owners and entrepreneurs.
- We base our problem solving decisions on market research, rather then user research. Our vision for the future cannot be based on what we want, but rather what we need.
- Realizing & maximizing profits, while tackling the issue of affordability is a difficult task. Strategy sessions are an important tool to help guide the goals of development.
- No idea is a bad idea; collect user data, brainstorm the issues, provide solutions, filter through the solutions and collectively decide.
Thinking strategies that encompassed creative, critical and design thinking were used to analyze the situation, generate ideas and form insights on the housing industry as a whole. Attendees were encouraged to try new ideas, create prototypes, form a business model and never be afraid to try something new. The outcome of the two part workshop led to inspired professionals with a renewed commitment to tackle some of the more difficult issues surrounding the housing industry in BC. The Boffo Family of Companies was grateful for the opportunity to be involved with this workshop, and, all in all, with the amazing outcome that was realized due to the Urban Development Institute’s and Sauder School of Business’ progressive industry efforts.
By Daniel Boffo - Principal, Boffo Family of Companies