Design Nerds Anonymous ThinkLab and SURROUND

In this episode, ThinkLab interviews Dost Bardouille, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility of Swinerton; and Nina Johnson, Senior Commercial Insights Manager at Armstrong Craven. They discuss the pitfalls of traditional mentorship and explore three additional solutions for career development and upskilling your talent in a modern era.   
 After listening, you will be able to: 

Identify a key shift impacting career development today 

Compare three new methods used for engagement 

Assess the D.E.I. benefits of champions 

Summarize the 7 considerations needed in designing a shadow board. 



In part one, we sit down with Dost Bardouille of Swinerton to evaluate the pitfalls of traditional career development and compare two new methods of connection: sponsorship and champions. And in part two, we sit down with Nina Johnson of Armstrong Craven to identify how implementing a shadow board, a tactic that major fashion house Gucci used, can provide employees with high level engagement and in turn prove long-term success for a company's growth. 

EPISODE EXTRA:  Want CEU credit for listening? Take the quiz and earn your certificate of completion.  
How it works:   
Step 1: Listen to the episode.  
Step 2: Visit this link to take a short, 5-question quiz.  
*Scoring an 80% or above on the quiz will earn you 0.5 CEU 
Step 3: Upon passing the quiz, receive your certificate of completion from CEU provider Teknion. 
Accredited for: IDCEC| 0.5 CEU 
 
Connect with our expert guests on LinkedIn: 
Nina Johnson 
Dost Bardouille 

Tune in to our trailer for more, and subscribe so you don’t miss our upcoming episodes. 
Thank you to our sponsors Mannington Commercial, THEMART and NeoCon. 
 
 

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of creativity in the workplace and explore the exciting possibilities of the digital age?  
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of design, technology, and innovation with Creativity Strategist, CEO Advisor and Author Natalie Nixon.  
Also in this episode, join our special guests Carmen Cruz and Michelle Rotherham from CannonDesign as we discuss the importance of defining creative time, embracing new digital tools like the Metaverse and AI, and fostering collaboration in the design industry.  
Discover how to combat the challenges of creativity in a time-starved world and find inspiration to design the future you envision. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just curious about the creative process, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in and get ready to supercharge your creativity! 

Learn why implementing creative thinking in your team is crucial and discover the immense value of fostering workplace creativity. 

Learn how to "define creative time" and understand its role in managing creative tasks effectively. 

Discover how cutting-edge digital tools are shaping the future of the design industry in a deep conversation about their potential.

 
Tune in to our trailer for more, and subscribe so you don’t miss our upcoming episodes. 
Thank you to our sponsors Mannington Commercial, THEMART and NeoCon. 

Prepare to be captivated by a paradigm-shifting discussion that explores the fusion of innovation and change surrounding office culture and collaboration. In this episode our guests Brian Elliott and Sheela Subramanian, co-authors of the groundbreaking book How the Future Works, offer their unique perspectives on reshaping the workplace narrative. 
Also, learn what our friends Bill Bouchey and Isabel Das from Gensler have to share about ways to bridge the gap between the physical and virtual cultures in your workplace.
Key Takeaways:


Shift from Place to Purpose: Shift your focus from the confines of the workplace's physicality towards valuing the excellence of work and its execution. This shift emphasizes the importance of work itself over the location. 


Generational Differences and Learning: Explore the varied work methodologies shaped by different life experiences of different generations. Delve into how younger generations, raised in the digital age, adeptly leverage digital tools to enhance collaboration and foster connections. 


Culture and Connection: Discover how to bridge the divide between in-person and digital interactions by prioritizing the development and sustenance of a robust company culture. 


Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss our upcoming episodes!
Thank you to our sponsors Mannington Commercial, THEMART and NeoCon. 

Tune in as we bring you firsthand accounts from individuals entrenched in the industry's dynamic landscape, as well as those revolutionizing the field. Our conversations traverse a multitude of topics. From strategies to attract and retain emerging talents, to the art of harnessing personas within the realm of business-to-business, and even the mastery of leveraging data to propel your business forward. 

Each season tackles significant challenges in the interior design industry. 

ThinkLab team dedicates 6 months to in-depth research for fresh insights. 

Features insights from industry experts, offering diverse perspectives. 

Relevant for designers, marketers, sellers, and professionals across the spectrum. 

 
Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Stay ahead of the curve with "Design Nerds Anonymous." Your journey to mastering the fusion of design and business starts here. 
Thank you to our sponsors Mannington Commercial, THEMART and NeoCon. 

In this enlightening episode, Amanda Schneider, Founder and President of ThinkLab, and Cindy Kaufman, VP of Marketing at Mannington Commercial, delve into the profound influence that designers hold in shaping our future. Through engaging conversations and insightful data, they uncover the unique perspective of Gen Z. Underscoring the pivotal role of their decisions in shaping industries and experiences. 
Key Takeaways: 

Explore Gen Z's distinctive outlook on the world and their concerns about the future. 

Recognize the supportive role of technology in enhancing interactions while valuing tactile experiences. 

Uncover Gen Z's demand for meaningful returns on their efforts and its alignment with evolving work trends. 


Throughout this engaging conversation, Amanda and Cindy weave a narrative that intertwines purpose, relationships, and technology, illuminating how these elements collaboratively shape the trajectory of the design industry. Their dynamic dialogue underscores the symbiotic relationship between innovation and human connection, inviting listeners to join the evolving narrative of design's transformative impact on our world.
Thank you to our sponsors Mannington Commercial, THEMART and NeoCon. 

In this episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, we ask the question "How to Keep Gen Z from Leaving the Design Industry." In the past two years, the interior design industry has faced significant changes, with firms struggling to retain and attract talent. But what are the reasons behind this trend, and how can we address them? Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with two industry leaders, Cheryl Durst, CEO of IIDA, and Khoi Vo, CEO of ASID. Together, we'll explore the calls to action for the industry on not only attracting but retaining talent. These organizations have had a somewhat tumultuous history, but today they're coming together to explore the calls to action for the industry on not only attracting but retaining talent.
Key Takeaways:
·      Discover why the interior design industry is struggling to retain and attract talent despite firms reporting record-breaking backlogs and new project workloads.
·      Learn how lack of work-life balance and communication challenges are the two main reasons that prompt young talent to leave the industry, and what firms can do to address these challenges.
·      Find out why today's students believe that three years or less is an appropriate amount of time to spend on their first job, and how this trend is impacting the industry.
·      Explore how firms can invest in their employees and prioritize their well-being by offering flexible working arrangements and clear communication channels.
·      Learn why promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is crucial to retaining and attracting talent in the industry and providing opportunities for young talent to grow and develop their skills.
·      Discover how collaboration between industry organizations, educators, and practitioners is essential to address the talent challenge and ensure the industry's long-term success.

Thank you for listening to our podcast episode on "How to Keep Gen Z from Leaving the Design Industry." We hope you found these insights engaging and helpful. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more industry updates and join us next time for another exciting topic.