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Thoughtcast by Onething is an experience design podcast that looks to take a unique angle on an age-old format. We’re bringing everything from hotly discussed topics, to diamonds in the rough, and deconstructing it all, from every angle possible. We aim t

Onething Design Studio

India


    • Feb 14, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 27 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Thoughtcast

    Biking in the EV Revolution with Aditya Oza (Co-Founder, EMotorad)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2023 26:07


    Do you think bicycles aren't a sexy way to travel? Do we as a nation look down upon cycling to work? In the latest edition of Thoughcast by Onething, Divanshu sits down for an electric chat with Aditya Oza, the founder at EMotorad. The conversation uncovers Aditya's journey of levitating the EV revolution in India, through his e-bike startup. The man is highly spirited about fostering a future where folks in India bend towards healthy and sustainable living.The podcast also suggests how startups play a vital role in dumping out foreign players by nurturing Make in India. Aditya believes, after the IT wave, it's finally time for India to flourish as a manufacturing destination too. Emotorad has already started capturing the EV space while penetrating deep into real India, eliminating the competition from outside.Well, Divanshu and Aditya unravel a lot more insights on the future of electric biking and how it can prosper in a country like ours, addressing many myths and misconceptions.---​​Join our design communityLinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/onething-designInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onething.design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-W601M2PO8qJhwgnlm66VgDribbble: https://dribbble.com/onething-design

    Journey of an NFT Artist

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 27:28


    On this edition of Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu gets into an artistic conversation with Sneha, a popular muralist turned NFT artist. When asked about her journey, she broke down every step she took to reach where she is today, from painting walls to painting the digital landscape.Well, creative people, especially traditional artists have a unique way of thinking. For them, what comes first is to express the truth of their story. Then how do they fit into the mathematical world of business and technology in their process? Sneha answers this beautifully.Lend an ear to this episode, and catch some amazing anecdotes from Sneha's journey.---​​Join our design communityLinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/onething-designInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onething.design/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-W601M2PO8qJhwgnlm66VgDribbble: https://dribbble.com/onething-design

    Decoding the need for Enterprise UX with Venky (UX Lead, Onething) & Manik (Design Director, Onething)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2022 24:38 Transcription Available


    In this edition of Thoughtcast by Onething, Co-Founder & Design Director Manik is joined by UX Lead Venky, as they sit down to discuss one of the sleeper-gems of the design industry, enterprise UX design. The conversation opens with defining enterprise UX, and its unique space nestled somewhere between the worlds of B2B and B2C. The pair also clarify its differences from platforms such as Slack, and other tools merely utilized by enterprises, rather than being enterprise products.The discussion then shifts to illustrating the importance of enterprise UX through an example; Crisil! Venky breaks down how unifying Crisil's 14 internal platforms was a unique experience, and gave a brilliant window into the vast world of enterprise UX. Furthermore, it illustrated the importance of the vertical, in that even the tech teams launching the product would only have to code 1 product, instead of 14, making it critical to the smooth operations of the business internally.Discussing further, Manik goes on to the importance of enterprises to build custom solutions that are tailored to the needs of all operations, even considering building a product to be used by Team Onething internally, a fascinating prospect.Don't miss out on one of the cornerstones of UX design in enterprise UX, on the latest episode of Thoughtcast by Onething!---​​Join our design communityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onething.design/LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/onething-designDribbble: https://dribbble.com/onething-design

    E-Commerce for the Next Billion with Bharath Ram (SVP Growth & Retention, Flipkart)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 29:51 Transcription Available


    In this episode of Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu is joined by Bharath Ram, Senior Vice President, User Growth and Retention at Flipkart! Bharath is a veteran of the e-commerce space, both in India, and abroad, and we picked his brain about the nature and evolution of the industry. The discussion kicks off by discussing the nature, and quirks of digital consumers across the globe, and how geographic factors can influence the success or failure of a platform!Diving deeper, Bharath breaks down his philosophies about design at Flipkart, alongside which metrics are utilized to understand and maximize customer satisfaction. Furthermore, we delve into the redesign of Flipkart, and the things that need to be considered when designing for the next generation of a billion digital buyers and sellers.Be sure not to miss the e-commerce & design connection, in the newest edition of Thoughtcast.---Join our design communityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onething.design/LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/onething-designYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-W601M2PO8qJhwgnlm66VgDribbble: https://dribbble.com/onething-design

    Decoding the Direct to Consumer Landscape with Arjun Vaidya (Founder, Dr. Vaidya's)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 33:12 Transcription Available


    On the newest edition of Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu is joined by Arjun Vaidya, the founder of Dr.Vaidya's, one of the new-wave Ayurvedic brands, which are modernizing the age-old science, for a new generation. Divanshu and Arjun's conversation revolves around the direct-to-consumer business model, and why they believe it's the future of digital retail.They begin by discussing the modern-entrepreneurial space in India, and Arjun's journey, building up to his big exit. The chat quickly shifts to the product itself, and why Arjun chose Ayurveda to be his championed product as an entrepreneur. Furthermore, he discussed the pivot from physical sales to D2C, and how his grandfather's vision of making Ayurveda accessible played a role in modernizing his model, to serve a larger, digital customer base. On-top-of-this, the realization that 82% of the audience stayed outside major cities was another catalyst in accelerating Dr.Vaidya's shift to D2C.Arjun then delves into the comparison between conventional brands, and digital ones, explaining how the process of establishing an image or identity differs between the two, as well as the tactics he utilized to put Dr.Vaidya's on the digital map. The insightful conversation culminates in discussing why things like packaging, and identity, in general, must be constantly refreshed in the modern landscape, to cater to what users actually value most now.Don't miss the discussion around the future of E-Commerce, in this episode of Thoughtcast.---Join our design communityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onething.design/LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/onething-designYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-W601M2PO8qJhwgnlm66VgDribbble: https://dribbble.com/onething-design

    Building Design Solutions Through Empathy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2022 22:19 Transcription Available


    In the latest edition of Season 3 of Thoughtcast by Onething, Manik (Co-Founder, Onething) is joined by Venky (UX Lead, Onething). They exchange anecdotes about what empathy means to them as designers and what their journey has been like.While covering their narratives about the significance of empathy in design, the discussion culminates in discussing how to understand the needs of a user as a designer and pay attention to the underlying issues and find expedient solutions to them. Furthermore, Venky's take on a comprehensive guide about what position empathy holds in design thinking pushes the urge to think about empathy being the cornerstone of any successful design undertaking. The duo then climbs up the hierarchy of empathizing with every individual in the design creation queue - from designers, and developers to stakeholders.---For more on the design space, head over to onething.design. Join our community on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

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    Future of Brands in Web 3.0 with Akshay, Schbang

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 32:19 Transcription Available


    Kicking off season 3 of Thoughtcast by Onething with an insightful chat about Web 3.0! In this episode, host Divanshu is joined by Akshay Gurnani, the co-founder of Schbang, a leading digital agency in India. The conversation opens with how the pair met one another, as well as Akshay's journey to this point, particularly in the last decade. Following this, we come to the focus of the discussion, Web 3.0, and crucially, how it will evolve the relationship between users and digital products. In particular, we discuss the metaverse, NFTs, and the blockchain. Akshay gives a fantastic example of utility in the blockchain, citing the difficulty in tracking down past homeowners when purchasing property, and how the blockchain is a perfect solution for the issue. Furthermore, the pair delve into their dream scenarios for the metaverse, including its impact on daily life in general, advertising, customer experiences, and more! The conversation culminates in discussing how familiar newer generations are with these technologies, and how it appears like second nature to them.Don't miss the season premiere of Thoughtcast by Onething, LIVE now!---For more on the design space, head over to onething.design. Join our community on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

    Global Design Deep-Dive: Exploring Modern Design, With Lollypop

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 24:18 Transcription Available


    On the latest edition of Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu is joined by Anil Reddy, the co-founder, and global design director at Lollypop Design Studio. The conversation between founders centers around the state of Indian design, and how agencies originating in the subcontinent are going on to define and dominate the global market.They exchange anecdotes over the design landscape, including their experiences with projects, clients, and teams, ranging from hilarious, to nightmarish. The discussion culminates in discussing the process by which India has become a powerhouse in the global design landscape, and how India as a whole is becoming a hotspot for multitalented design studios. Furthermore, they share wisdom on why this process is due to accelerate in the coming years, and why the future is bright for design in India.Don't miss the newest episode of Thoughtcast by Onething, available everywhere!

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    Decoding Digital Transformation: A Brands' Journey Through the 21st Century

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2022 16:55


    In this edition of Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu is joined by Onething's UX Leads Antara, and Venky. The topic in question is the means by which companies embark on a digital transformation journey. The entire spectrum of brands are discussed, from those who are merely beginning to adopt the digital, to those who have known nothing besides it.In covering the gamut of journeys in digital transformation, the trio discuss the role design plays in a modern, rapidly digitising world, and its implications. Furthermore, the nature of transformation, the time it takes, and how frequently major steps are committed to are also brought into the discussion. Don't miss the debate on digital transformation on the newest episode of Thoughtcast by Onething.

    3 Mistakes We Made: From The Entrepreneurs Guidebook

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2022 14:29


    In the newest episode of Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu and Manik, co-founders at Onething, sit down for a walk down memory lane! This podcast revolves around the 3 biggest mistakes they made in starting their business, but encapsulates so much more. From the turmoil, to triumph of taking a startup to the next level, the founders remember how their journey to the top has been.From personal insights, to advice for young entrepreneurs, there are far more than 3 lessons to take away from this podcast! Be it lessons on delegation, trusting others, and punctuality, to culture, scaling, and more. Lastly, Divanshu and Manik also unlock what they would do differently today, and how they realized how to change their ways from just half a decade back!Don't miss this nostalgic episode of Thoughtcast by Onething!

    The Animal Instinct - Exploring Clarity & Chaos In A Creative Agency (Pt II)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2021 22:08


    In a follow-up episode to our last, Divanshu once again sits down with Kunel and Sayantan from Animal, one of India's largest creative agencies. This episode goes in deeper to exploring topics which were touched-on in the first. The conversation begins in questioning the typical image of an advertising agency, one of pressure and constant time-crunch. Kunel and Sayantan myth bust certain dogmas which we had around the space, and clarified the steps they take to keep the atmosphere at Animal high at all times.Furthermore, the guests go deep on their previous projects, and outline certain big wins which were creatively fulfilling for them. Namely, they discuss in-detail projects like Adidas Originals, and Budweiser, which were exciting due to facilitating exploration of so many different mediums. Lastly, the guests part ways with some advice for future generations, looking to make their mark on design and advertising.Don't miss the talk around Animal, and their mark on advertising, tune-in to Thoughtcast by Onething.

    The Animal Instinct - Exploring Clarity & Chaos In A Creative Agency (Pt 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 19:16


    On this edition of Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu sits down with Kunel and Sayantan, Founder and Senior Partner at Animal respectively. Animal is one of the largest creative agencies in India, and has continued to wow audiences with their unbelievable campaigns, and inspirational approach. Kunel breaks down the inception, and humble beginnings as well.Furthermore, we take a deep-dive into some of the unique projects Animal has ventured into over the past years. Eventually, the conversation reaches a point where the trajectory of the agency is discussed. To wrap-up, Divanshu inquires about the Agency's long-term goals, and how they end up balancing growth, with maintaining reputation. Another major point of discussion is how the agency finds and adjusts talents into a complex structure.Don't miss this venture into the creative madness, on this weeks edition of Thoughtcast!

    The UX Laws Understanding: How Psychology Influences User Behaviour

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2021 14:21


    On this edition of Thoughtcast by Onething, we get two of our UX leads; Antara and Venky in conversation with Divanshu, regarding some of the conventional ‘Laws of UX'. The discussion revolves around how binding the laws actually are, and in the moments where flexibility is granted, what factors contribute to them being bent, or even broken.Furthermore, we delve into the origin of these laws, their deep roots in psychology, and how they even end up making digital products more friendly. Also discussed is when and where laws are relevant, and how they are a significant part of any designers toolkit, although not always in designing itself, but in unexpected scenarios, like simplifying complex decision making for non-designers. The discussion ends on some of Venky and Antara's real world applications of the UX laws, and how through their experience, they've learned to isolate situations in which not only to use them, but also drop them.For the full discussion on the laws of UX, and their relevance, tune in to this episode of Thoughtcast by Onething.

    The Education Evolution: Deciphering a Decade of Digital Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2021 21:44 Transcription Available


    This week on Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu is joined by Pratham Mittal, the Director of Masters' Union. MU is redefining the classical ‘business school' image, by providing an industry-immersed education, allowing learners to learn from proven industry professionals, and practitioners. Pratham delves into his background in education, and how being surrounded by it gave him a more unique perspective than most others.They discuss the education system as a whole, it's shortcomings, and how MU is aiming to address them. Furthermore, they delve into the evolution of the education system, and whether or not we've actually progressed, or regressed as learners, with regards to our methods. The discussion culminates on the future of education, and where we're heading as a society, with regards to how we craft skilful and knowledgeable professionals.Don't miss the education discourse, on this edition of Thoughtcast by Onething.

    The Inclusivity Introduction: Crafting Accessible Products, For All!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2021 27:03


    On this weeks edition of Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu sits down with Upasana Makati, the co-founder of WhitePrint, India's first English lifestyle magazine, printed entirely in Braille. Having made it's debut in 2013, WhitePrint aims to bring the world of culture to an entirely new audience, the visually impaired!Besides resources for the blind, Upasana breaks down the need for accessibility in the world of design, and beyond! She envisions a reality wherein people with all kinds of impairments, not just visual, can use tools and techniques curated by others to experience the world in a more holistic manner. Furthermore, she goes on to share some heartwarming interactions she had with readers of her magazine, and how she opened up their world far beyond what they had ever imagined.For all things accessibility, and to learn more about Upasana's journey, don't miss this week Thoughtcast by Onething.

    The Mental Health Memo: Finding Headspace in the Workplace

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 21:39 Transcription Available


    On the latest edition of Thoughtcast by Onething, Sonakshi has a chat with Karthik Hariharan, a counselling psychologist to discuss mental health implications of the modern-day workplace. They chat about mental health awareness, and social media misinformation. Furthermore, a large portion of the discussion speaks specifically to the Covid-19 pandemic, and how the work-from-home culture change augmented our schedules for the worse.The podcast also suggests tactics and strategies which individuals can employ in their daily lives, with relative ease, to reduce the burden of burnout and lead mentally healthier lifestyles. We also get into what companies can do for their employees in the same regard, and some real world examples which have worked wonders.Catch real world mental health insights, from a professional, on this episode of Thoughtcast by Onething.

    The Ethical UX Exploration: How Digital Products, Dictate Lifestyles

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2021 28:00 Transcription Available


    In the season 2 premiere of Thoughtcast by Onething, Divanshu, sits down with Manik and Venky from the team to discuss a crucial topic in the world of design; that being ethical UX, and the use of dark patterns. We run through various examples, including Netflix, and talk about how the laws of UX are sometimes exploited to achieve business objectives and KPI's. We then discuss the process of finding a balance between the business side, and ethical side of things, with Venky bringing to the table some real-world examples of where this decision had to be made, including Lokal!All told, the discussion of ethical design is an important one. UX designers do hold a certain responsibility to deliver honest products to users, and the solutions discussed in this podcast may just help you on your own UI/UX design journey! Tune in to this episode of Thoughtcast by Onething now!

    Luxury Ride Sharing Revolutionized, With Indian Electric Vehicles

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2021 22:37 Transcription Available


    In the latest edition of Business & UX Story, Divanshu is joined by Siddhartha Bagri, the CEO of Pravaig Dynamics. Pravaig is building revolutionary electric cars in India, set to shake up the system of not only what we move in, but how we do it. The company is UX driven, with the model being explored being likened to Uber in a sense. However, the entire experience is curated perfectly, from the drivers being trained, to the app being meticulously designed.Siddhartha and Divanshu also delve into the UI/UX Design of the Extinction Mark 2, the newest prototype from Pravaig. They delve into key quirks and features of the car, as well as it's functionality; how it aims to integrate into the lives of its users. The EV space as a whole is discussed, as we engage in discourse on how it's evolved over the years, since Pravaig has been around for over a decade now. Lastly, we explore Pravaig's other operations, including Military Utility Vehicles, and their significance in the modern fuel landscape.To learn more about Siddhartha Bagri, his brainchild Pravaig, and the electric mobility revolution as a whole, don't miss this episode of Business & UX Story.

    Driving Sustainability Through Smarter Battery Systems

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 23:16


    On this edition of Business & UX Story, Divanshu is joined by Akhil Aryan. Akhil is the co-founder of Ion Energy, one of the most exciting young companies in the electric space. Ion aims to supplement the electric revolution which is currently taking place by enhancing the user experience at every turn, through their unique energy solutions. These include, smarter batteries, driven by smarter battery management solutions, making renewable energy, more intelligent. Akhil is an environmentalist at heart, and is harnessing excellent UI/UX design to ease the human race's transition into the era of electric. Akhil fascinatingly likens the process of UI/UX design, to environmental sustainability, wherein the end goal cannot be possible without every facet of the journey being optimized individually first. We discuss how Ion's two major products, Maxwell and Altergo bookend the UX of utilizing an electric product in any capacity, with one being an electric storage system, required to harness energy effectively, and the other being an analytics platform, crucial to the long term health of the aforementioned systems. These combined allows batteries to be far more efficient, effectively driving down their total cost, ushering in a new era of energy.To hear all about the design, and physical impact of Ion Energy, Akhil's journey so far, and the future of electric mobility, tune in to this edition of Business & UX Story.

    Making EVs Easier to Adopt

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 29:13 Transcription Available


    In this edition of Business & UX Story, Divanshu is joined by Akshit Bansal, the co-founder, and CEO of Statiq. Akshit and his team are into the EV space, but not in the way you may think. Statiq is India's largest EV charging network. Functioning on a hosting model, similar to franchising, Statiq allows any landowner to host an EV charging station, providing for a totally unique and innovative user experience for hosts, and consumers alike.The conversation shines a light on the challenges being faced by Statiq, as well as hundreds of other EV centric startups across the nation, with the industry being so young and newly regulated. Being an environmentalist at heart, and has a personal stake in the success of EV's not just in India, but the world as a whole. On the design side, we delve into how UI/UX design helped merge the functionality of multiple apps into one, creating a single solution for so many EV-power related issues.To hear all about Akshit's journey as a founder, and the impact he wants to make in the world through Statiq, be sure to tune in-to this episode of Business & UX Story.

    Unearthing Virtual Credit Cards landscape in India

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2021 24:35 Transcription Available


    On this edition of Business & UX Story, Divanshu, sits down with Vishal Ranjan, who is the founder and CEO of VCard, India's first Credit Card built on the increasingly popular Unified Payment Interface. Vishal speaks about the inception of VCard, where he noticed that both digital lending, and digital spending have been growing exponentially over the past few years in the Indian market. This inspired him to found a company which incorporated both elements together, eventually landing on the concept of a credit card. The concept of UI/UX also came into the conversation as Vishal discusses how he harnessed the power of design to introduce credit cards to a totally new segment of customers, conventionally overlooked by major banks and other institutions.  Furthermore, we delve into how UX research was used to build the foundation of VCard, which required plenty of it, seeing as its credit card exists purely in a digital space. We end by discussing Vishal's vision for VCard's future, harnessing UI/UX design to provide a ‘pathbreaking' solution for the industry, outside the established giants like Visa and MasterCard.To hear all the ins-and-outs of Vishal, his journey, and VCard itself, tune in to Business & UX story now!

    Personalized Gaming Experience Through AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2021 29:24 Transcription Available


    In this edition of Business & UX Story, Divanshu is joined by Jakub and Matej, the co-founders of Assetario. The pair discuss the origins of Assetario and their partnership as a whole. Having met at MIT, Jakub and Matej bonded over mobile gaming and noticed major flaws in the monetization models of the increasingly popular free mobile game genre, with micro-transactions. They figured that an AI could hold the key to unlocking smarter monetization in these games, laying the foundation of their new company, Assetario, with a vision to improve the gaming landscape as a whole.Assetario develops a revenue optimization software engine for mobile gaming brands. The AI-driven model uses a deep-player understanding to create personalized gaming experiences for users, in turn, maximizing revenue yield. It achieves this by leveraging a predictive in-app-purchase model to make smart purchase recommendations to players, effectively boosting conversions through more realistic recommendations.To learn more about the journey of Jakub and Matej, as well as Assetario, don't miss this episode of Business & UX Story!

    Neobanking Experience for SMEs & Entrepreneurs: Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2021 26:07 Transcription Available


    Continuing with our last conversation with Saad Ansari, we will discuss more on Neobanking services. As you all know, Saad is the co-founder and CEO of Xpence, a neobank streamlining the process of corporate banking for SMEs and freelancers.In this episode, Saad discusses his vision for the future of Xpence, expanding far beyond the UAE, into other parts of the Middle East, he also touches on some of the struggles of doing so, coming in the form of coordinating with myriad regulatory bodies in the region. We move on to talking about the triumph of Xpence, and Saad's “made it” moment, wherein he used the Card issued by his own company to make a purchase, and how this moment pushed forward his vision for the company.We finish with Saad by discussing some of the inspirations behind Xpence, and global products which he admires in the neobanking space. To hear more about Saad's journey, Xpence, and the fintech industry as it stands today, tune in to Business & UX Story!In our next podcast we have a very special guest, so don't forget to subscribe to our podcast to get notified.

    Neobanking Experience for SMBs & Entrepreneurs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2021 26:28 Transcription Available


    On this edition of the podcast, we're joined by the co-founder and CEO of Xpence; Saad Ansari.  Xpence itself is a neobank that caters to SMBs and freelancers, in order to streamline the process of banking for business. We delve into the fintech space as a whole, what it feels like to work around myriad regulations, and how Xpence began its life as a consumer neobank, before shifting gears to cater to enterprise!To broaden your understanding of the fintech space, and learn more about Saad's journey, tune in now to listen to part 1! Neobanking is a kind of bank that is completely digital, there are no branches and it is completely managed by a digital interface. The Neobanking industry as of 2020 was valued at around $34 billion dollars and it is expected to grow at a rate of about 48% CAGR going forward. So this is a huge industry and I think it's a very interesting domain to kind of be in. The most important piece of designing the UX for Xpence was onboarding. And the funny thing is that a customer will only go through it once. But onboarding is capturing information and its primary use is to assess the risk of a customer before you allow them into the platform. That's why we're asking for so much information. And each piece of information gets risk assessed. So you know, how old your company is, where it's registered, what your nationality is, these are all things that we are constantly assessing about a customer to determine what risks they pose on what risks they can possibly pose. So it is that in its own right, that onboarding is a huge, huge module of what we are doing.

    Empowering the next billion through design thinking

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2021 39:42


    Jani Pasha is an entrepreneur and CEO of Lokal. The IIT Kharagpur alumnus was featured alongside his co-founder Vipul Chaudhary in Forbes' 30 Under 30 for Asia. In conducting UX research for a previous project, Jani discovered that emulating mental models experienced in rural settings could be an effective UI/UX approach to bring modern technology into the hands of millions of unexposed individuals in India. Thus, the seed to create a hyper-local news application, an often-overlooked feature of vernacular languages was planted. This vision birthed the Lokal app, which now features not only local-language news, but classifieds, real estate listings, and many more use-cases. The app currently has more than 5 million downloads and has an average 4.5-star user rating on the Play Store.In our discussion with Jani, we delve into his life before and after Lokal and discuss the app in far more detail. One of the big talking points is how exactly Jani isolated the need for a product such as this, and the various transformations it underwent before taking its current form. We discuss his team at Lokal, and how the fact that most of them belong to tier-two and tier-three cities helps build a natural affinity and empathy with the product. Lastly, Jani also goes into how he came across Onething, and why he ended up reaching outwards to fulfill his UX/UI needs, and the impact it has had.The podcast shines a light on how crucial UX design-based research is to target a new audience, as Jani discusses how it helped Lokal better achieve their KPIs. Jani also imparts further knowledge on some of the barriers he and his team had to overcome in the forms of technology, and language especially, and talks about what exactly goes into targeting a sleeping-giant esque market of millions. Another one of the biggest takeaways from the podcast would be the nature of startup funding in a modern context as well, and how Jani went about securing a Y Combinator investment.To learn more about Jani Pasha, Lokal, and the nature of creating a digital product for unique and untargeted audiences, check out the Business and UX Story podcast!

    Converge the Indian AI landscape through Experience Design

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2021 18:58


    Asna Siddiqui is a computer science specialist, who formerly co-founded Form Zero, and now heads the India AI project, which is an initiative of NASSCOM. IndiaAI is the Indian Government designated platform to develop the ecosystem of artificial intelligence in India. The portal features the latest news, articles from industry experts, as well as resources for those looking to propel themselves in the field. Working in collaboration with the various stakeholders involved in the burgeoning ecosystem of AI in India, most importantly, the Government of India itself, Asna believes empowering the next generation of Indians with AI is the way of the future.Our cofounder, Divanshu in this episode discusses the goals of the IndiaAI platform with Asna, addresses the opportunities around encouraging the widespread adoption of AI in the market, as well as how the product serves to enable the ecosystem and its growth. Every project at this scale faces multilevel challenges and in this episode, we talk specifically about the UX/UI design-related hurdles as it completes one year since its launch. Later, we share the nuances and UX strategies that helped the IndiaAI platform adopted to fuel adoption and growth.Asna sees AI transforming the Indian market in the next decade, and discloses why she's anticipating a boom! There's also plenty to learn when it comes to managing various stakeholders, and the efforts required to create a healthy balance between them all. We wrap the podcast with Asna parting with some wisdom regarding her product design and project management journey as well!To get the scoop on IndiaAI, the future of artificial intelligence in the nation, and Asna's insights on everything AI and design, check out our episode on Business & UX Story.

    Making Indian Product Global with Design

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2021 34:28


    Subramanian V. is the co-founder of Disprz, an enterprise learning app powered by a career & skill acceleration suite, and has given a million employees the tools and opportunities they need to elevate and transform their careers.  Disprz also features AI functionality and boldly takes steps towards a brighter future in EdTech. To date, Disprz has created more than 330,000 training modules and elevated employees in over 66 countries.Subbu, is the former McKinsey and is an alumnus of IIT Madras and Indian School of Business (ISB) but most importantly he's an entrepreneur at heart. In this podcast, Divanshu talks with Subbu to discuss the story of Disprz, its journey, and the role of experience design in shaping the product. Subbu starts off by discussing his fiery passion for entrepreneurship, and how the idea for Disprz occurred to him. He later shares his early versions of the Disprz platform, shaping the platform into a B2B system, and eventually undergoing various transitions and evolutions to reach the heights it has today.  Subramanian also shares his heartfelt struggles which come along with making a local idea or product and putting it on a global stage. Finally, we touch on the process of designing a consumer learning app in 2015 mustn't have been easy, without having much inspiration or reference from which to draw, and our guest delved into how he and his team overcame this by harnessing the power of UX/UI design.Furthermore, Subramanian spoke about breaking into a market as notoriously challenging as enterprise learning, and how taking a design-first, UX-based approach gave Disprz an edge over the competition. Listeners will also learn plenty about why Subramanian is a big believer in the impact of UX design as well, far beyond just granting a competitive advantage.To hear the ins and outs of Disprz, Subramanian's story in full, and the process of taking a local product on the world stage, check this edition of the podcast!

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