Ask who else could help

Daniele Catalanotto
Apr 1, 2022


A Service Design principle to use the power of the human network

I’m giving an interview on the Service Design Show podcast. The show comes to an end, and the recording stops. Marc Fonteijn, the host of the show, then says something like this:

“Thanks for coming today! Might I ask, who would you recommend I invite as the next guest?”
Smart question! Instead of relying only on his network to find guests, Marc benefits from the network of his guests. So he can get in touch with people he might never have thought of.

You can use this question in many other contexts.

For example, you can use it within an organization. When you are trying to build a team for an initiative, you might speak to many people who tell you: “Sorry, can’t help with that “t. Instead of stopping there, you can do like Marc and ask:

“Who else do you think could be interesting or helpful?”
The same goes for sales. If someone is not interested in your product at the moment, maybe he knows someone else who would be.


Little side notes

  • This is the second draft of this Service Design Principle.
  • I was able to reduce the lengths by -17.7% compared to the first version.
  • Once adapted, even more, this principle will be part of the book "Service Design Principles 201-300"
  • As always feel free to share comments, feedback or personal stories to improve this principle.
Like
Patrick Marcelissen
May 5, 2022
Clear to read the message of the principle. The last part about sales is not really necessary.
Daniele Catalanotto
Jun 4, 2022
Thanks Patrick :) Indeed the last part about sales could either be ditched or should be developped a bit more to make sense. Will keep that in mind for the next version :) 
Daniele Catalanotto
Oct 21, 2022

The third draft of this Service Design Principle

I’m participating in the Service Design Show podcast (1). Once the recording stops, the host, Marc Fonteijn, says something like this:

“Thanks for coming today! Might I ask, who would you recommend I invite as the next guest?”

Smart question! Instead of relying only on his network to find guests, Marc benefits from the network of his guests. So he can get in touch with people he might never have thought of.

You can use this question in many other contexts.

For example, you can use it within an organisation. When you build a team for an initiative, you might speak to many people who tell you: “Sorry, can’t help with that “. Instead of stopping there, you can do like Marc and ask:

“Who else do you think could be interested or helpful?”

So let me ask.

What questions can you ask so that people do the work for you?

Footnotes

(1) Marc Fonteijn (2020). How Sharing Makes You A Better Service Designer / Daniele Catalanotto / Episode #91. Service Design Show. Available at https://extra.swissinnovation.academy/JrTI accessed 19 October 2022.

Daniele’s notes

  • This is the third draft of this principle.
  • I’ve reduced the length of this principle by 13 % compared to its second draft.
  • Added a conclusion question and the reference to the Service Design Show in Harvard citation style.