On May 7, 2008, at 12:23 PM, Robert Hoekman Jr wrote:
I'm only suggesting that the most important thing is the end user's
experience,
It's absolute statement that I'm thinking is problematic.
I'm all for creating great experiences and, personally, I think it's a
great way to create a long-lasting, successful business that benefits
the customers, the market, and the shareholders.
However, I would not go so far as a suggest it's the *most* important
thing *always*. There are many examples where businesses have had to
compromise on the experience to survive.
The problem with the absolute statement of "experience is most
important" is it can conflict with realities, thus putting the
consultant as an agent of negative conflict instead of an agent of
positive change.
In my mind, this is an attitude thing. If you have the attitude that
experience can help, but may not be the biggest corporate priority at
the moment, the business will accept you.
If you insist it's the most important thing when there are realities
that suggest otherwise, you're now considered friction (and possibly
unnecessary).
and if you're working with a client who's primary interest is not
that, then it's pointless for them to have hired you in the first
place.
If your work is all about making great experiences and it's not the
most important thing to them, then I think you're correct. They won't
get value from hiring you. I've certainly seen that many times in my
career.
For a business, the *most* important thing is to still be in business
in the future. If experience design helps with that (and we can cite
more examples of how it can every day), then that's great. If it won't
help (even if it won't hurt), then it's not going to be well received.
Jared
________________________________________________________________
Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)!
To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe
List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines
List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
