Creatorbase

December and January are typically months when we reflect on the past, and embrace and focus on what’s next. Some people quickly jot down resolutions or goals, while others apply a more elaborate process that can take on a sort of maze of actions and thoughts for weeks. No matter which approach, it’s a good time of the year to calibrate your personal compass for the journey ahead.

Perhaps you have heard or said the following expression in the last year: Life is too short. Is it a complaint; a poke to do something or think different; an admission of defeat; or is it a simplification of our reality?

It depends.

Immersion to the Rescue
I was recently reminded of the expression – and started thinking about it for my compass in 2015 – while covering Idean’s User Experience (UX) Summit in San Francisco last month for a CMSWire article. Idean’s tagline is “Life is too short for crappy UX.” My first reaction with a ‘traditional corporate filter’ was, really, is that an appropriate message?

After getting acquainted with Idean employees, customers, and their design community’s perspective – it occurred to me that the message is spot on! Further, it’s a rallying call for all businesses and their employees to think and act more responsibly and strategically about users’ (i.e. customers, prospects, employees, partners, etc.) needs and unknown desires before committing to creating or modifying products, services, and customer experiences. And I'm now certain that cutting UX-corners negatively impacted many of those teams' business outcomes and ROI.

FYI, my traditional corporate filter is now on a shelf thanks to some immersion and reflection.

Why Heed the Rallying Call?
I think it boils down to users' expectations and how they now choose to reward you and your business – or not – for meeting and exceeding their expectations. And in our Digital Age, people make decisions in seconds from mobile devices about your brand, products and services. Risto Lähdesmäki covers this perspective in a brief video-conversation regarding the UX Summit that just ended:

#VegasWithIdean
The Idean team and design community inspired me at their December UX Summit, I decided to join them in Las Vegas this week for the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for creators and breakthrough technologies for more than 40 years—a global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.

I’m connecting with old friends from various industries, will be on the lookout for exceptional products, services and customer experiences, and Idean is hosting some incredible events; join us at Idean.com/CES. Follow the conversation on Twitter with #VegasWithIdean.

110% in 2015
On a personal note, I’ve recently come to an understanding that our time here is too short to NOT live a life full of passion for what we do, who we do it with, and why we're doing it to help and support other people. Confused by that last statement? In a few words, I’ve decided to give 110% effort in 2015 to the focal point I care about and truly matters to others.

Connect with @creatorbase on Twitter and let me know if you’re attending CES. Stay tuned for more blogging and tweets about CES news, insights, and fun!