The best classroom experience I would say was the Design Thinking workshop that we attended during Term-III. I felt confused, awkward, surprised and finally proud during the course of the workshop. It was really fun.
Design thinking is basically a tool for solving any problem in an innovative and more customer/user-centric approach. It is a process contradictory to the traditional practice of thinking before designing. In this process we actually design prototypes, test them in the market to understand their strengths and limitations as perceived by the users and then come up with innovative solutions.
We were a team of eight and I had never spoken to six of them. I knew it is going to be difficult for me at least for the first couple of hours till we develop a rapport. The problem we chose was related to fitness of students at IIM Indore. We found that lots of people in our campus do not make use of the gym facility provided for free even though students have lots of free time. We were set to find a solution to this problem.
The first step was to empathize and find out the actual reason for students not using the gym. We roamed around the campus, as a part of course, and started interviewing people. We finally found out that the lack of peer group was the major reason why most of the students were not using gym or any sport facilities on campus. I was surprised by this as I could never think of this reason at all before interviewing students.
In the next step, we had to come up with various ideas to address the issue of lack of peer group. We could come up with various ideas and it was all fun sharing our own ideas with one another. Finally, we arrived at a consensus on installing biometric devices at the gym and all sports facilities and connecting them through an application which the students can download on their mobiles. Now a student will know who all are there in each of these facilities and the problem of the peer group can be eliminated.
The next step was to build a prototype of the proposed solution. This is the most fun part of the entire exercise as we had to literally use sketch pens, chart papers, pins, stickers and all other stationery which reminded us of our good old school days. Next, we had to test our solution and so we went around the campus again, this time with prototype, and pitched in the solution to students and asked for their inputs.
Finally, we had to incorporate the inputs suggested and finalize the solution and present it to the entire section of 75 students.
That day I learnt that what we actually think is the source of any problem need not be a problem at all. And these sources can be very trivial, which we may ignore most of the times. I also found out that we should never be satisfied with any kind of solution proposed until it is market tested. I also made very good friends that day.
Which ABG company would you want to work for and why?
The important things that I look for in any role are Opportunities for learning, Work life balance and Career growth. I want to be in a role where my learning can contribute to the goals and objectives of the business. I want to be in a role where I can allocate ample time to my personal life. I feel Aditya Birla Group, being the conglomerate it is, is in a matured phase to provide such roles than many other companies. I would love to join Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited as this business deals with apparel which I give a lot of importance in my daily routine.