Elioenai Magboo was recently awarded his certification as a Product Development Innovator [ CPDI ].  He is a Web Project Manager from Newstar SEO, an "innovative digital marketing company".

He received his certification last August 9, the last day of the recently concluded Design Sprint Workshop. 

After receiving his award, Elioenai gave a short testimonial about his journey and shared a few tips for the graduating class. Of course, we also want to share what we learned with our readers - here's our interview with Eli:

Q. What prompted you to take the Innovation Workshop?
Because I see it as an opportunity and no one else in the Philippines has this kind of workshop.

Q. What Prompted you to start your project?
First, To get Certified, then I want to help our Company.
Our company has a problem with sales and we were planning to remove team building as one of our services.

Q. What was your project about?
My project is all about Core Building. This is an innovation of the Team Building service that we offer.
Core Building is Tailor-fit team building.

Q. What were the results of your project?
The results are good and without bias. Before we started the project, I thought that I knew the result, but while we were doing the project, things changed. the results are very different from my expectations.

Q. What was it like for you, starting up and executing your own project?
There are challenges, but when I started to follow the guidelines (facilitator tips) the progression became very swift. Also, our Instructor helped me a lot while I was executing the project. Very responsive. Other instructors are not this efficient, unlike him.

Q. Among/Aside from the Action Items that were done, what were the key elements that led to the success of your project?
Facilitators tips, and help from my Instructor Arthur Flores, cause he is very responsive and very efficient with time management with the design sprint team members.

Q. What was the impact of your project on your company?
The CEO and the members of the company were happy with the result.
Now, we have inquiries that want to be part of our client portfolio.
There is a significant difference compared to our old team building service(model) that we offer.
We have inquiries, sales, and lastly, we now understand what the Company wants.

Q. What was the impact of attending the Innovation workshop on you as an individual / professional?
Attending the Design Sprint workshop impacted my career, especially on decision making the aspect. I now know how to listen to my subordinates without bias by applying the divergent and convergent thinking that I learned in the design sprint. Also, I know now how to get listed to customers and how to get the results that companies want.

Q. What would be your message to those who are currently taking/planning to take the Innovation Program or those who are currently conducting their own projects?
Do your project as soon as possible and always read the facilitators’ tips. Do not rely on other design sprint websites because it might confuse you. Learn to listen to your members while doing the project and learn how to manage your time. The time and members’ cooperation is the hardest part of doing this project because they have different schedules and priorities.

Q. Is there anything else you would like to share about your journey?
Design Sprint helped me a lot, especially career-wise. You can also use this to achieve personal goals. The design sprint is very different from other workshops. Design sprint helped me uncover the hidden problems that may have caused delays and other issues. and make solutions to those hidden problems.

Start your Innovation journey for free!

Take our self-paced Design Sprint (Design Thinking v2.0) e-Learning anytime:

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