CDS way of working. When One Size Doesn’t Fit All: A Different Approach to Consulting

When One Size Doesn’t Fit All – we lean on evidence-backed methods and live by eight fundamental principles that ensure flexibility, result-oriented efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to consistently deliver solutions and resolve problems. Dive in to learn more about our philosophy and methodology.

What is Evidence-based, Practical Consulting?

One size fits all is a common problem in the consulting industry. It’s simple to adjust a PowerPoint template, but every business has its own unique story that consists of specific wants, needs, goals, vision and values the company represents. Most importantly, the problems and pains of different businesses and the customers they are serving come in all shapes and sizes and simply cannot be solved by a simple copy and paste solution. 

In the previous article, I shared how a consultancy sold me a dream without a roadmap, and in the end I found myself stuck with Frankenstein’s monster. Now, together with the co-founder of CDS, Alberts, we want to continue to guide you through the principles that differentiate our approach.

As we already stated, fed up with the shortcomings of the way consultancy agencies operate, we swore that anything we propose to our clients needs to come with a specific plan on how exactly to achieve it in a way that’s suited specifically to our clients’ needs. Out of this mantra, eight commandments, or principles, were born that we religiously stick to in order to deliver results to our clients. 

Feel free to use CDS commandments to identify which agency will overpromise and underdeliver and which one will truly care about your business as their own.

#1 Solve problems instead of making new ones

At Creative Data Studio, we are committed to providing exceptional service to our clients. To ensure this, we strictly adhere to the following rule:

We understand that our clients hire us for our expertise in CX and UX implementation, and we will deliver just that. Our processes shall never complicate or impede the client’s goals. Every decision, interaction, reporting and communication with our clients shall be streamlined, efficient and transparent.

We hold ourselves accountable for delivering the core results our clients expect, be it managing mundane legal aspects, project coordination, meeting setups or delivering assets; nothing shall stand in the way of achieving this. In all aspects of our work, we shall remain laser-focused on the problem at hand and tailor our approach to our clients’ unique needs. We shall NOT burden our clients with unnecessary complications or bureaucratic hurdles.

At Creative Data Studio, we know what we are hired for, and we are here to deliver solutions. Any deviation from this principle will NOT be tolerated. Rest assured that our relentless dedication to problem-solving will always guide our actions and decisions.

#2 Evidence-based everything

At Creative Data Studio, our commitment to success is built on a foundation of evidence. We firmly believe in the power of “evidence-based everything” – from project management and process implementation to our core services in CX, UX and UI.
Our philosophy: Never leave the fate of your business to the gut feeling of a creative individual, however dazzling their presentation may be. While creativity is essential for pushing boundaries and sparking innovation, it’s the combination of creativity and evidence that sets us apart.

Evidence-based means that our methods and practices are backed by proven results. It ensures that our approach is grounded in real-world success stories, offering confidence in our ability to deliver the outcomes you expect. But don’t mistake evidence-based for a lack of novelty or uniqueness. We stay informed on the latest research and breakthroughs, enabling us to implement cutting-edge solutions that are both evidence-based and innovative.

Whether you’re seeking ROI or specific KPIs for your project, we’ve got you covered. Choose Creative Data Studio, and rest assured that our evidence-based approach will drive tangible results and set the stage for your business’ success.

#3 Pragmatic, practical, profitable

At Creative Data Studio, we recognize that dreams and optimism alone aren’t enough to transform ambitious projects into reality. That’s why we embrace the value of being “Pragmatic, practical and profitable.” We’re here to do the hard work, tackle the challenges and ensure that our clients’ visions come to life.

While grand ideas can be exhilarating, the work behind them is often far from glamorous. To turn your vision into a reality, we take a pragmatic and practical approach, breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks. We delegate resources, align teams and contractors, establish communication channels and set up feedback loops to keep everyone on track.

As the real work begins, we understand that it can be tedious, boring and complicated. However, we remain committed to delivering results, one step at a time. From reporting structures and validation processes to testing and optimization, we employ a pragmatic approach to ensure that every aspect of the project is executed effectively.

Our focus on pragmatic practicality is what drives results and guarantees profitability. At Creative Data Studio, we go beyond optimism to deliver tangible success for our clients, turning even the most complex projects into profitable realities.

#4 Resource-mindful

At Creative Data Studio, we understand that a project’s success depends on more than just time, money and people. We embrace the value of being “resource-mindful” by considering all aspects that can impact a project, including knowledge and skills, administrative resources, software stack, vendor management, stakeholder time and more.

While it’s easy to focus solely on time and money when envisioning a project, we recognize the importance of considering all resources from the very beginning. We’ve seen projects that promise incredible results only to hit roadblocks due to knowledge limitations or legacy software constraints. By being resource-mindful, we aim to prevent these issues and ensure a smoother project execution.

Our resource-mindful approach helps us avoid hidden costs, such as cheap development with expensive maintenance or post-launch, resource-heavy projects that require additional expertise. We proactively plan for all resources and contingencies to minimize surprises and maximize project efficiency.

Trust that, at Creative Data Studio, we consider the big picture and account for all resources involved in your project, enabling us to deliver results effectively and efficiently. By being resource-mindful, we set the stage for successful project outcomes and long-term partnerships.

#5 Adaptive and flexible over rigid methodology

At Creative Data Studio, we believe in the importance of being “adaptive and flexible over rigid consulting agency methodology.” We understand that each project is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach can limit creativity and hinder success.

When unexpected challenges arise, or new information comes to light, sticking to a rigid methodology may not be the best course of action. Instead, we embrace adaptability and flexibility, tailoring our strategies and processes to best meet the specific needs and challenges of each project.

Rather than blindly adhering to a fixed methodology, we continually assess and adjust our approach based on the project’s evolving requirements, stakeholder feedback and unforeseen circumstances. This mindset allows us to pivot when necessary, enabling us to react to new knowledge, resources or software and deliver the most effective solutions for our clients.

#6 Creativity by connecting the dots

At Creative Data Studio, we pride ourselves on our ability to foster creativity and innovation by “connecting the dots.” We understand that exceptional creativity often stems from a deep understanding of diverse information and experiences.

Our approach to creativity is grounded in our extensive knowledge across various domains and the ability to research it, both within and beyond the core project scope. We refer to these pieces of information as “dots.” Our team excels at connecting these dots in numerous ways, running simulations and exploring various scenarios to uncover the most creative and fitting solutions for each project.

We see patterns and connections that others miss. This allows us to develop unique, tailor-made solutions for our clients, setting us apart from the competition.

At Creative Data Studio, our commitment to creativity by connecting the dots drives our success and ensures that we consistently deliver innovative, impactful and customized solutions for our clients.

#7 Constantly delivering (AbD – Always Be Delivering)

At Creative Data Studio, we understand that the ability to consistently deliver is crucial for successful project execution. Our “always be delivering” mindset stems from a commitment to discipline, resource allocation and well-established internal processes.

We recognize the importance of providing all teams with essential assets, research materials, documentation and everything else needed to keep projects running smoothly. Our focus on constant delivery ensures that our clients never have to wait on us, as we know that delays on our end can impact overall project timelines.Our AbD approach drives us to be proactive, organized and accountable. We prioritize efficient communication, effective project management and timely delivery of all project components. This enables us to maintain momentum and build trust with our clients.

By embracing the value of ”constantly delivering,” Creative Data Studio ensures that our clients can rely on us to keep their projects moving forward, ultimately leading to successful outcomes and long-term partnerships.

#8 Never give up on the client

At Creative Data Studio, we are committed to standing by our clients through thick and thin. We understand that challenges are inevitable in any project, especially those that span over multiple years. Our “never give up on the client” value reflects our dedication to seeing projects through to completion, regardless of the obstacles we may face.

We recognize that projects evolve over time with team members and stakeholders coming and going throughout the process. These changes can leave projects and resources vulnerable, and it may be tempting to walk away. But we believe that, once we’ve started, we must persevere and see the project through to the end and even beyond.

Taking a project to the moon doesn’t end with building the platform or engine; there is always more work to be done. Our goal is to become our clients’ trusted advisor, rather than a mere handyman who comes in, fixes things and leaves, hoping their services won’t be needed again. We are fully aware that challenges will arise in long-term projects, and we are determined to face them head-on without giving up on our clients.

By embracing the “never give up on the client” value, Creative Data Studio demonstrates our unwavering commitment to our clients’ success and our determination to overcome any obstacles that come our way.

Turning problems into profits

The principles of how we work were born through our own experiences on both sides of the table that made us suffer. Now we believe we can turn this around and match companies with an honest, hardworking service that turns problems into profit and solves problems, instead of creating more unresolved questions.

N.B.

We do not oversell our services. Instead, we focus on providing practical solutions that address the root problem. So, if you are looking for a “sell me this pen” approach, we won’t be a good match.