360 degrees – Once
During my independent summer period study, there’s one major event that has happened – I’ve seen my idea live and my research question developed. That event turned the course of my course in 360 degrees. For all the feelings and emotions, the ups and downs and ups again that followed my discovery, there will be a dedicated blog post. The main outcome, though is that my main research question has completely changed.
Growing out of some circumstances around me and a couple of random (or not so random) events and encounters, I have noticed a pattern: people daring to start something new or having an idea developed up to a certain point, but currently facing similar obstacles: not knowing how to proceed, being uncertain for the future, feeling lost, needing “digital” help. As much as all these (except the last) have been always a factor for any beginner, currently they are all super-enhanced by Covid-19 (especially the last).
For a while the idea for guidance and advising has given me a very strong sense of purpose (starting from when I was helping my younger brother doing his lessons in his early school years, leading to me becoming an English teacher, which I still consider to be amongst the best days of my life), I have found myself consulting three very different, but also somewhat similar ladies within the past month:
Lady 1 – An inspiring young musician – singer and songwriter, who would like to gain popularity and develop a unique brand / presence
Lady 2 – An experienced PR manager, seeking for independence and trying to set up a freelance business
Lady 3 – A beautician, whose direct business suffered from the pandemic and is now looking for alternative digital options
So far I have held 2 meetings / sessions with each lady – behind the links there are some early prototypes I have prepared and discussed with each of them. In parallel, I have registered domains for their websites and started exploring options for building them.
What I’ve noticed is that there is uncertainty in multiple layers – they have all needed, each in their own way, more in-depth, tailor-made advice.
Now, gaining some clarity whilst considering my new research question, I am planning to make further interventions with other ambitious girls / women, who are about to start chasing their dreams or are already on the way, but are currently feeling lost.
360 degrees – Twice
My WHAT-WHY-HOW-IF revised
WHAT: What is the subject or area that you intend to research? What is the precise question that you will be addressing?
The area of my research will be focused around holistic ways of helping aspiring ladies chase their dreams and develop their ideas, advise and mentor in times of uncertainty and desperate need of digitalisation. What can be the best 360 / holistic approach in advising women in chasing their dreams when they’re feeling lost? What initial digital help can be provided for them that they struggle to find elsewhere?
WHY: Why will this research be of value to you – and the world?
As mentioned above, this gives me a very strong sense of purpose and a huge satisfaction. Additionally, I believe there is still a huge gender gap in our society and many women (young and old) need guidance in developing their dreams. Hopefully, when that research is complete and this project implemented, there will be a world where more dreams come true, despite the obstacles presented by current circumstance.
HOW: How will you accomplish your project in practical terms? What will be your methodology, management strategy, and schedule?
I am still sticking to the plan to adapt lean, agile methodology, when developing this project – doing small, sizeable chunks of work that I can quickly test and iterate on with the relevant stakeholders.
| Task | Period |
| Current iteration + session 3 | By the end of August |
| Next iteration + session 4 | By mid September |
| Exploring similar initiatives and potential stakeholders | Ongoing until the end of September |
| Next iteration + session 5 | By mid October |
*iteration = website development / brand identity / online presence / product development, etc.
WHAT IF: What are the positive implications and potential if you achieve this mastery? How will this position you (and your stakeholders) at the end of the Course?
I will develop my skills for identifying the multiple layers and the complexity of each problem and the ability to break it down in manageable pieces, so they can be addressed. I will develop my listening and understanding skills. I will develop the ability to read between the lines.
I will develop my skills for representing an idea with a design, or multiple designs – presenting options and sensing what the other party would like. I will develop my imagination in trying to find creative answers. I will continue learning how to ask better questions. I will develop a digital toolkit which helps me address the above and provide a structured and value-adding service for women looking to change the world.