DesignThinkers Group

Happy New Year from the DTA Team! We hope that the new year will bring you joy, success, and amazing opportunities, and that we’ll be a part of your learning journeys in 2025. We would also like to take a moment to thank you for being part of our journey this year. It's been an incredible year of growth, and it's all thanks to your inspiration and collaboration. Cheers to new beginnings and endless possibilities!

Together we made this year extraordinary. As 2025 approaches, we're filled with gratitude for an incredible year - thanks to you! Together, we've reached new milestones, sparked innovation, and shared invaluable learning experiences. Your creativity, collaboration, and curiosity turned this year into something truly remarkable. Here’s to an exciting new chapter ahead! We look forward to welcoming you in 2025, whether at our Amsterdam studio or online. See you all in the new year!

We wish you a merry Christmas from the DTA Team! May your holidays be filled with love, laughter, and a sprinkle of design magic! We hope you’re celebrating Christmas surrounded by joy, cherished moments, and the warmth of friends and family. Happy Holidays from all of us at DTA!

Still finalizing your reading wishlist? Here's what's on ours! The holiday season is here, and there's no better time to curl up with a great book by the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for a gift for yourself or a loved one, or simply a delightful read to enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate, the DesignThinkers team has got you covered. From insightful reads for personal and professional growth to heartwarming tales, our holiday book recommendations are the perfect addition to your festive season. Check out our picks below and make your Christmas extra magical: “Systems Thinking For Social Change” by David Stroh; “Design Leadership Chronicles” by Marzia Aricò; “Supercommunicators” by Charles Duhigg; “Werk aan je merk” by Marta Klement; “Hoop” by Jeanneke Scholtens & Tim Vreugdenhil; “How To Research Trends” by Els Dragt; “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin; “Employee Experience: Happy people, Better Business” by Heleen Mes & Gea Peper; “Both/And Thinking” by Wendy Smith & Marianne Lewis; “Design for Sustainability Survival Guide” by Conny Bakker; “Open Talent” by John Winsor & Jin H. Paik; “Co-Intelligence” by Ethan Mollick; “Get It Done” by Ayelet Fishbach; “Universal Principles of Ux” by Irene Pereyra. Happy reading and happy holidays!

The year is winding down, but your personal growth doesn’t have to. While you’re busy checking off everyone else’s wishlist, take a moment to prioritize yourself. Now’s the perfect time to invest in your growth and set the stage for a successful new year. When you invest in yourself, the results speak for themselves, just ask those who’ve been there. Ready to take that next step? Explore our courses and get a head start on your growth for 2025: 2-Day Employee Experience Course, February 5-6; 2-Day DT Fundamentals Course, February 10-11; 2-Day Systems Thinking for Positive Transformation, February 17-18; 5-Day Immersive DT Bootcamp for Professional Innovators, April 7. Explore our Course Catalogue here: https://lnkd.in/eRCKfCrf Last call for growth, make 2025 your best year yet! Message us on Whatsapp with any enquiries: https://lnkd.in/gFeAchqx

2025 is about Systems. In a world often captivated by the stories of visionary leaders, it’s easy to overlook the systems that quietly build lasting success. While the “Superstar CEO” appeal has been dominating headlines, history shows us how real impact comes from strong systems. In 2025, according to Forbes, the most successful organizations won’t rely on individual brilliance but on well-designed systems that ensure adaptability, consistency, and resilience. These future-focused frameworks will empower teams to innovate, sustain growth, and tackle the complexities of a rapidly changing world. Get ahead on the curve & register now for our Systems Thinking For Positive Transformation Course happening in 2025: https://lnkd.in/dEiKsAuh Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/eqBSnpdn

This week’s book recommendation is ‘Built for People: Transform Your Employee Experience Using Product Management Principles’ by Jessica Zwaan & Lars Schmidt. This book is written for people who want to improve their workforce and achieve business success, prioritizing people centered ways of working and a culture of continuous feedback. The authors explain how to create employee experiences that attract and engage talent enabling them to perform at their full potential. The authors argue the importance of user research, agile sprint planning, and continuous feedback loops to foster innovation and improve both employee experience and overall business performance. This book also provides guidance on managing organizational change, navigating culture clashes, and defining metrics for success. Filled with tools, case studies, and exercises, it is essential reading for leaders aiming to create agile and innovative workplaces. Happy reading!

A New Year, a new path to growth! As the year comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to focus on growth and set the stage for a successful 2025. That’s why we’ve been hard at work designing an innovative new curriculum to support your evolving strategies. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of AI, master systems thinking, or develop innovative leadership skills, our courses will help you build dynamic capabilities seamlessly blending both creativity and strategy. Get a head start for 2025: 2-Day DT Creative Facilitation Training Course, January 27-28; 2-Day Employee Experience DT Training Course, February 5-6; 2-Day Systems Thinking for Positive Transformation, February 17-18; 5-Days Immersive DT Bootcamp for Innovators, April 7-11; 1-Day DT & AI Mastery Workshop, June 18. Explore our Course Catalogue here: https://lnkd.in/eRCKfCrf Last call for growth, make 2025 your best year yet! Message us on Whatsapp with any enquiries: https://lnkd.in/gFeAchqx

Turn your employee feedback into action. Employee feedback has never been so significant in transforming organizational culture as of now, yet many leaders struggle to translate this data into meaningful action. Employee feedback is more than just a tool for collecting data, it's a bridge to deeper engagement, stronger retention and increased customer satisfaction. Despite organizations spending notable time and resources gathering insights through pulse surveys, town halls, and focus groups, translating this wealth of information into concrete action is still a challenge. According to an article from the Harvard Business Review, companies like Microsoft have developed robust frameworks like the “1,2,3 rule” where you choose one topic then take two actions, and revisit the progress three times to embed accountability and to ensure feedback leads to change. By empowering teams with transparent dashboards, clear accountability, and iterative updates, they close the loop effectively. For instance, Microsoft shares survey results widely and encourages team discussions, ensuring employee voices are not just heard but acted upon. Ready to transform employee feedback into fuel for positive change? Read more about the HBR’s article here: https://lnkd.in/eat8f42i

Let's make your Employees happy today. Employee Experience (EX) is more than a buzzword, it’s a critical factor in driving business success. We believe EX is the most impactful and sustainable way to build and maintain a happy, efficient workforce. From targeted EX Design Sprints to full-scale organizational transformation, we offer tailored solutions to tackle HR challenges, assess EX maturity, and build your team’s capabilities. We're also hosting our highly-anticipated EX Course in Amsterdam on February 5th, offering practical tools to revolutionize your approach to EX. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ecZETgDm Make 2025 the year you transform workplace culture.