Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS
Staying Connected No Matter Where You Are - Cookhouse Labs Hybrid Experience
How can we maintain our engaging innovation experience combining virtual and in-person participants?
1
Semester
ONLINE
2021
4
University students
2
MVPs
Challenge
Define solutions to keep innovators connected, despite being in different rooms or geographical locations, either at home or in the office.
WHY?
Understanding differences between virtual and in-person experiences
SEE
- Webcams are off during virtual sessions
- Internet connectivity issues
- Participants from different countries are now able to participate
- Difficult to focus due to technological distractions
SAY & DO
- Teams have found alternative ways to stay connected, e.g. Weekly check-in meetings
- Would be great to continue participating in a sprint no matter where I am
- Less engagement results in less feedback
- Easier to plan meetings virtually
HEAR
- Participants cannot chat during coffee breaks like before
- Attendees have distracting background noise
- Most people remain on “Mute” throughout sessions
- Participants hesitate to share their thoughts during sessions
THINK & FEEL
- Virtual meetings all feel the same now
- Participants are tired of staring at a screen all day
- Enjoy not having to commute anymore or dress up
- Miss in-person conversations
DISCOVERY
Some participants find the virtual experience convenient, but are seeking out better ways to stay engaged during sessions.
How can we help virtual participants feel connected to in-person team members during projects?
How can we redesign our experience to ensure it feels the same virtual and in-person?
What resources can we leverage to create an exceptional hybrid experience?
SOLUTION
The team came up with 50+ ideas and narrowed their solution down to the top 2 — Video Conferencing Robots and the Cookhouse Labs Socializing Box.
Hybrid models (combining the virtual and in-person experiences) have been in our mind since the beginning of our journey. Many times our participants have to travel to other office locations or meet clients and still want to be part of the sprints. A hybrid model is a solution we want to test and implement to maintain our engaging, fun and collaborative experience.
How might we build trust and improve communication among participants on-site, remote participants, and the moderator during the whole project in a hybrid digital session?
1
DOUBLE ROBOTICS
By employing the use of video conferencing robots, we allow participants to feel more present in the Lab. These robots can be controlled via one’s keyboard arrow keys from anywhere in the world over a Wi-Fi network, and give participants an opportunity to explore the physical space from the comfort of their home. With video display on the attached iPads, this solution also overcomes the barrier of joining coffee breaks, inviting discussion and ideation despite the physical distance.
2
THE COOKHOUSE SOCIALIZING BOX
This solution promises an unforgettable social experience, complete with ingredients to make a customized cocktail or mocktail and a light pasta meal. The Box includes the tools needed, such as a branded glass, apron, and even a wooden spoon! To complete the experience, participants will be brought into a virtual culinary class hosted by a Cookhouse Labs moderator, where they can create these dishes together while still being in their own kitchens. This works to create a sense of community and acts as an icebreaker before the main event date.
RESULTS
Over the course of 200+ hours, the team worked closely to understand the challenges faced by facilitators and participants during the virtual experience.
2
Personas
4
Journey Maps
7
Participant interviews
13
Interview questions
50+
Ideas
2
MVPs
1
Robotic Solution
1
Project Presentation
PARTICIPANTS
More Co-creation Sprints
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