What are some design thinking strategies for presenting product solutions to stakeholders and customers?

Design thinking is a human-centered approach to solving problems and creating innovative products. It involves understanding the needs, preferences, and challenges of the users, ideating and prototyping possible solutions, and testing and iterating them until they meet the desired outcomes. However, design thinking does not end with the product development. It also requires presenting the product solutions to the stakeholders and customers in a way that engages them, communicates the value proposition, and invites feedback. In this article, we will explore some design thinking strategies for presenting product solutions to stakeholders and customers.

1 Know your audience

Before you present your product solution, you need to know who you are presenting to and what they care about. Different audiences may have different expectations, questions, and concerns about your product. For example, your investors may want to know how your product will generate revenue and growth, your potential customers may want to know how your product will solve their pain points and improve their lives, and your team members may want to know how your product will align with the vision and goals of the project. Therefore, you need to tailor your presentation to suit the needs and interests of your audience. You can use tools such as personas, empathy maps, and stakeholder maps to understand your audience better and design your presentation accordingly.

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2 Tell a story

One of the most effective ways to present your product solution is to tell a story that connects with your audience emotionally and intellectually. A story can help you showcase the problem you are solving, the solution you are offering, and the impact you are creating. It can also help you illustrate the user journey, the value proposition, and the competitive advantage of your product. To craft a compelling story, you need to follow a clear structure that includes a hook, a challenge, a solution, and a call to action. You also need to use vivid language, visuals, and examples that make your story memorable and relatable.

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Jeffrey Tjendra

Enterprise AI Transformation | Shieldbase AI
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One of the most powerful story can be told utilizes Origin Story and Future Story. Origin story is about communicating the background of the user, how the background leads user to the problem, then introducing the future story on what can be achieved with the manifestation of your product vision.

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3 Show, don't tell

Another design thinking strategy for presenting your product solution is to show, don't tell. This means that instead of just describing your product features and benefits, you should demonstrate how your product works and how it delivers value to the users. You can use various methods to show your product solution, such as prototypes, mockups, demos, videos, testimonials, or case studies. Showing your product solution can help you engage your audience, validate your assumptions, and collect feedback. It can also help you highlight the uniqueness and desirability of your product.

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Jeffrey Tjendra

Enterprise AI Transformation | Shieldbase AI
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Lead with visual 2D (illustration, concept design, sketches, comic strips) and 3D (prototypes, 3d rendering). Showing visuals help you to align with stakeholders, invites co-creation and keep progress visible.

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4 Invite feedback

Inviting feedback from stakeholders and customers is a crucial part of presenting your product solution. Feedback can help you improve your product, validate your hypotheses, and identify new opportunities, but it can also be challenging to receive and incorporate. To make the process easier, you should use design thinking strategies to invite feedback in a constructive and collaborative way. This includes asking open-ended questions that encourage dialogue and exploration, using active listening skills that show respect and empathy, utilizing feedback frameworks to organize and prioritize the feedback, and thanking your audience for their input. After gathering the feedback, you should follow up with them on the next steps and actions.

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Gijsbertus J.J. van Wulfen

Award winning innovation keynote speaker helping you to create innovative mindsets at your event and your organisation. Contact me for a proven innovation method to double your effectiveness in 2025.
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ONCE UPON A TIME …. This sentence puts you directly in the “curiosity mode”. FACTS TELL, BUT STORIES SELL ✅🥳 Storytelling is the art of using narratives to engage and connect. As facilitator of 100+ innovation projects, I have experienced that “Our customer‘s journey”, “Our customer’s main issue”, “Our new disrupting business model”, or “The way we create sustainable impact”, are wonderful subjects for convincing stories. A great example of storytelling is Apple's "Think Different" campaign, where they celebrated individuals who defied the norm, inspiring people to challenge the status quo and embody the Apple brand. This story-driven approach resonates with customers on an emotional level and helps establish a deeper connection.

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5 Be flexible and adaptable

The final design thinking strategy for presenting your product solution is to be flexible and adaptable. This means that you should be open to changing your product solution based on the feedback and insights you receive from your stakeholders and customers. You should also be prepared to face unexpected challenges, questions, or objections that may arise during your presentation. To be flexible and adaptable, you need to adopt a growth mindset that embraces learning and experimentation. You also need to have a backup plan that allows you to pivot or adjust your product solution if needed. By being flexible and adaptable, you can show your audience that you are responsive, resilient, and committed to creating the best product possible.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are some design thinking strategies for presenting product solutions to stakeholders and customers?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Know your audience

2 Tell a story

3 Show, don't tell

4 Invite feedback

5 Be flexible and adaptable

6 Here’s what else to consider

Product Innovation

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What are some design thinking strategies for presenting product solutions to stakeholders and customers?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Know your audience

2 Tell a story

3 Show, don't tell

4 Invite feedback

5 Be flexible and adaptable

6 Here’s what else to consider

Product Innovation

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