Please read through the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

WHAT IS DESIGN THINKING?

Design thinking is a user-centric, solutions-based approach to problem-solving that can be described in four stages.

The four stages of the design thinking process are: clarify, ideate, develop, and implement.

Clarify: This phase involves observing a situation without bias. It leans into design thinkings user-centric element and requires empathizing with those affected by a problem, asking them questions about their pain points, and identifying what they need to be solved. You can then use what you learn to create a problem statement or question that drives the rest of the design thinking process.

Ideate: Begin brainstorming potential solutions. Take your problem statement or question and idea based on patterns or observations collected in the clarify phase. This is the time to let your imagination and creativity run wild.

Develop: Develop potential solutions using the ideas you generate, then test, experiment with, and reiterate to determine which are successful and which arent. Be ready to return to the ideation or clarification stage based on your results. Stepping back in the process is commonand encouragedin design thinking.

Implement: Finally, implement the solution youve developed. Again, its likely youll have to take a few steps back and reiterate your final solution, but thats a central part of this phase. After several tests and edits, youll have a solution that can yield positive results.

Example - Oral B

Design thinking not only succeeds at finding effective solutions for companies but also at putting initiatives to the test before implementation.

When Oral B wanted to upgrade its electric toothbrush, it enlisted designers Kim Colin and Sam Hecht to help. The companys request was to add more functions for electric toothbrush users, such as tracking brushing frequency, observing gum sensitivity, and playing music.

While clarifying the problem, however, Colin and Hecht pointed out that brushing teeth was a neurotic act for many people. Users didnt want additional functionality and, in many cases, thought it could potentially cause more stress. Instead, they recommended two solutions that could improve user experience without adding gimmicks.

Their first recommendation was to make the toothbrush easier to charge, especially while users were on the road. Another was making it more convenient for users to order replacement heads by allowing toothbrushes to connect to phones and send reminder notifications. Both proposals were successful because they focused on what users wanted rather than what the company wanted to roll out.

Source: Adapted from https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/design-thinking-examples

Question 1 [10]

Analyse Oral B in terms of its talent culture maturity level. Please use practical examples from the case study (and your additional research), to support your answer.

Question 2 [10]

A company such as Oral B is operating in a highly competitive environment. Identify one main output and one strategic and commercial risk that Oral B can experience. Describe the risk, the probability thereof, the risk impact, as well as the risk rating.

Question 3 [10]

Oral B puts a lot of effort into the training and development of its employees. Discuss the five levels that can be applied to determine the return on investment for the training offered by Oral B. You need to do additional research to substantiate your answer.

Question 4 [10]

Discuss the relevant drivers of talent management at Oral B. Please use practical examples from the case study (and your additional research) to support your answer.