Friday, April 29, 2011

Why A User-Centered Design Is So Hard To Create?

Start-up businesses are chaotic, primarily because members of a start-up team are not sure of their goals across disciplines such as research, marketing, design, development, etc. Also, they are not aware of their own responsibilities in taking the company forward.

Ideally, to build any online business from ground up, an entrepreneur must set a definite business goal, a designer sift through options, and a developer pick out a functional service, while they all continue to work in tandem.

In reality, things are a bit disorganized. While some start-ups begin with a definite business model, others begin with designs, and yet others, testing things with functional prototypes, although all of them do manage to come up with a well-rounded product in the end.

Agile Start-ups

Most start-ups today, are ‘agile’, capable of modifying or changing their business objectives, web design and development without much ado. Designers, who work at agile start-ups must not only grasp product or service objective, but also effectively communicate product intent to users.

What designers need for establishing user connection is an understanding of the objectives and processes that guide start-ups. Easier said than done because the speed with which agile start-ups advocate change, designers find it difficult to craft appropriate messages for users.

A Design that is User-Centric

Despite a target audience, it has never been easy to design with a clear idea of what users expect, or like. Most designers will undergo a series of trials and errors to create a user-centered design, yet end up with designs that crowns salability supreme.

Good designs take time, but agile start-up environments cripple aesthetic, user-friendly designs. Also, without the ability to understand the market, designers fail to come up with ambient designs that allow good user experience.

Empathetic Approach to Designs

More than any other start-up team member, designers must have an empathetic approach to designs. They must understand the business objectives of the clients, the technical requirements of developers, and usability problems of users to come up with designs that satisfy all three parties.

To create unique and valuable user-centered designs, designers will have to come up with designs that are sincere in approach and empathetically structured and usable.

Problem is, agile start-ups don’t encourage empathy, because almost universally they are unsure of what they want. Sure, there is a primary crowd to target, but just knowing what segment of web users they are targeting to market the company’s product/service, is not enough for designers.

Design Prototypes

Most start-ups will build initial prototypes of designs. But these design prototypes will generally lack any specification regarding the target market. A prototype that targets a 40-50 male audience does not take into consideration what number of 40-50s will be able to grasp the design and tell about the product.

In such cases, it makes a lot of sense to consult UX (user experience) designers to come up with empathetic designs. Ideally, designs should be the outcome of thinking first and acting next. Sadly, most start-ups act first and think later. Consequently, they leave no scope for research before design.

The Ultimate Design Bomber!

Individuals who comprise start-ups have a number of mental hurdles standing in the way of creating empathetic user-centric website design:


  • Designers questioning an idea is questioning the entire team. The validity of marketing ideas need not be proved to designers.

  • It takes weeks of research to decide an audience willing to buy products. But results should be immediate. Besides, it shouldn’t be difficult to sell something beautiful. Hence, designs don’t need research, but only produce aesthetic results.

  • If a design works, it works. If results can be measured in numbers, where’s the need for an up-front design to up UX?



Designers must get as close as possible to users. Product development cannot be the sole purview of entrepreneurs and developers. However, in reality, agile start-ups favor a process that is ‘design-less’. UX designers know better, but other team members don’t necessarily share the sentiment.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Continental Who’s who


Continental Who’s who

The only way to keep up with the latest about Continental Who’s who is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Continental Who’s who, it won't take long for you to become an influential authority. See how much you can learn about Continental Who’s who when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don't miss out on the rest of this great information. cww has become one of the most trusted publishers around the globe. We spotlight thousands of professionals each year by their specific industry. The men and women published represent every important field of endeavor. Included are executives and officials in business, science, education, philanthropy, religion, government, the fourth estate, finance, law, engineering, and many other fields. The Continental Who's who Registry is available in three formats: Online, Hardcover and CD-ROM:

The CWW Online forum is an exclusive network of world-class executives and professionals in which they can connect, educate, share information and establish new business relations.

  • The Hardcover registry is used as a highly professional reference tool that our featured members can proudly display in their homes or offices.
  • The CD-ROM is an invaluable and unique tool that does not require Internet access and is user friendly, high speed and efficient.
  • Our mission to provide an exclusive world-class forum where our members can create social, professional and business relationships.
  • We provide knowledge and information in virtually every industry and profession and create the opportunity to network, consult, educate, empower and establish new business relations.
  • Our promise of delivering the highest quality service to all our established members.you affiliated with any other Who's Who? Continental Who's Who is not associated or affiliated with Marquis Who's Who or any other Who's Who.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Continental Who’s who Business development through global attraction…

Being global is spreading your name in a manner so as to reach a wider spectrum of people across the globe. It is about creating new relations and taking them to the pinnacle and doing this whole activity repetitively. With globalization the world seems to have become very small and closer, making the reach of new avenues of business a possible dream.

In order to increase visibility to potential clients and to gain exposure to prospective partners one has to concentrate on the all round development of the business constantly. One has to involve in business networking and use various other mediums of frequenting communication with concerned people worldwide. Even to expose the Business accomplishments is a task needing constant efforts. One has to prove the credibility of his business in his own industry and profession and prove the recognition of his business achievements enabling reach worldwide.

Business development is among the foremost concerns of any organization; much of the attention should be devoted to developing and exploiting the business opportunities that are present in the outside world. Global business development has to emphasize on communicating industry opportunities to management and help facilitate internal enhancements designed to best position the company for success. The main focus should be on developing and executing the growth strategy for the business. One has to be focused on developing high level client relationships with global companies and be extremely credible and professional in terms of approach to generating and maintaining “value adding” relationships.

Be actively visible!!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Continental who’s who Professional Consulting- worth the bargain…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Professional Consulting as term refers is taking consultation for profession related problems. A Professional is the one who has obtained thorough training in the field relevant to him. A Consultant is a person who provides advice on relevant area of expertise. There are many branches in organization like Sales, Marketing, HR, Administration, etc. A professional may be good at Sales, another one maybe good at Administration but when it comes to bringing both together, it may get difficult. In such situations a Professional Consultant pitches in.

With the help of a Professional Consultant tactile solutions can be provided for skills improvement and improvising outside the circle perspective, within the company. A Professional Consultant works in between various arenas and scenarios of a organization to bring out optimal solutions and better working environments. Professional skills encompasses of good communication, time management, creativity, efficiency, productivity. To make people enjoy their jobs more and in turn achieve more productivity the process has to be more efficient.

In order to generate the return on investment the need of strategic and tactical approach is very essential. Offering proper consultation and hiring right services saves the company many unnecessary cost and traumas. The main emphasis of a Professional Consultant is understood in an organization when outstanding relationships start building, the conversations become more powerful, ultimately producing inspiring results.

Every organization has a different architecture in terms of budget, size and resources. The main challenge is to create self sufficient environment, irrelevant of industry working for. If this challenge could be achieved then the work of Professional Consultant is by far successfully attained. The best definition to emphasize and understand a Professional Consultant is, the organization defines work ethics and a Professional Consultant refines it!!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Continental Who's Who earns Gold Star

Recognition for the Elite

Continental Who's Who recognizes those individuals that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in their occupation industry and profession.

Continental Who's Who has become a leader in their industry and what I have gained from speaking with executives there is a feeling of fortitude and resilience that has seemed to all but vanish in recent years. The face of the the world economy has changed no longer recognizable and it is Continental Who's Who that is emerging as something that can only be described as welcoming. CWW has been enabling many to climb out of the ashes and back to their rightful place among the Who's Who of business executives. As I spoke to Diane Webster I asked her what sets CWW aside from other Media Outlets as she explained, " In today's marketplace what our studies have shown is that it is about creating partnerships and relationships and we have done just that, we have taken great strides in our web site's database development ( www.continentalwhoswho.com ) as well as the organizations we are now aligning ourselves with, this we plan to share with our members. You can look at it as the old cliche states; One hand washes the other and two hands wash the face! " I then asked when dealing with some of the most astute individuals many people we have all heard about read about or seen on T.V. what pitfalls have to be overcome to maintain a high level of commitment and excellence. Diane stated, " We obviously have to screen each member prior to inclusion and being that we are member funded we need to make sure that we choose only those individuals that are proactive in our public relations approach. This can be sometimes difficult because cost versus value is gaged through someone's prospective point of view. However we maintain a high level of quality and commitment to each one of our members and providing a forum where they can consult, exchange ideas and do business with each other. After speaking with Diane what she was saying really resonated with me. What I got from it was that in order for us to prosper and not just tread water we need to unite and combine our skills and this is what Continental Who's Who has done for this in my opinion they have earned a gold star. I anticipate great things over the next few years from this Media mogul and will keep you all posted.

John M

Original Source

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Continental who’s who for Global Business Development

Continental Who's who is an exclusive membership organization that recognizes and empowers executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs around the globe.



The products and services offered are:

Continental Who's Who Photo Distribution

Imagine the power of your image potentially reaching consumers! Through their partnership with PR Newswire you can post your image on the Reuters digital billboard in Time Square and a image thumbnail will appear on more than 1,000 websites, including LA Times, ABC Television affiliates, Yahoo! and Market Watch.
Display of the image on the Reuters digital billboard in Times Square Images are displayed on the billboard for 15 seconds during the morning or afternoon rush hours, Monday - Friday.

The story headline is also displayed with the image (up to 100 characters) You receive a screen shot of your image on the billboard (what a powerful visual!) The Reuters sign is the world's largest digital sign. It is 23 stories tall and is comprised of 13 screens. It is a prime location, occupying the entire Southwest corner of Times Square, and it faces traffic!

Continental Who's Who Executive Press Release



No matter who or where your audience is, Continental Who's who, through our partner PR Newswire delivers your news announcements in the fastest, most comprehensive and cost-effective way available. Wire distribution is comprised of satellite, land line or Internet delivery directly into information systems of tens of thousands of media outlets worldwide, plus posting on thousands of Web sites that carry PR Newswire member copy, including their media-only Web site, PR Newswire for Journalists, which is accessible by more than 80,000 registered journalists

Who's Who Professional and Executive Hardcover Volume

The Continental Who's Who Registry of National Business Leaders Hardcover Volume lists thousands of successful individuals in the fields of Business, the Arts and Sciences, Law, Engineering and Government throughout the upper echelon of corporate America with their pertinent data. This is an invaluable reference and Business networking tool, the ultimate in independent recognition. Provides expanded business information, unavailable elsewhere on all of our respected members.

Continental Who's who Commemorative Presentation Wall Plaque

A new Member appearing in our publication can receive the coveted Continental Who's who wall plaque; a rich and elegant exhibit inscribed with your name- which also incorporates the Continental Who's who seal. This distinguished plaque is seen on the walls of the most influential individuals which convey to your existing and potential clients that you are someone with whom they want to do business with.


Continental Who's Who CD-ROM

The Continental who’s Who CD-ROM Registry is a compilation of all its members along with their accomplished business biographies, published in CD-ROM format. The CD-ROM version of our publication is unique in the fact that you do not need Internet access to network with the directory. The CD-ROM was designed to be user-friendly, high speed and efficient.

Continental Who's Who Online Directory

Continental who's who puts you, in the loop by providing an introduction to other achievers in your area of expertise and then offering unique opportunities to interface globally, the ability to meet and network online. Each new member can receive a screen name and pass code to network online and upload photographs and video to their existing online profiles.

Continental Who's Who Airfare on Us!
Continental Who’s Who provides Airfare on Us. Round-trip airfare for two to some of the most exciting destinations dreamed, plus either attraction tickets or round of golf provided the accommodations are purchased through OST for a select number of nights.

Our mission is to help professionals achieve their goals by providing them with an exclusive and comprehensive set of corporate image and branding platforms, networking opportunities,career and global business development resources.