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Listen "How to Build Trust, Secure Funding & Prove Design’s Value in Business | Bonnie Mooney"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, Bonnie Mooney, Head of Design at McMillan Shakespeare, shares her journey from hospitality to leading design in large enterprise environments. We dive deep into how designers can bridge the gap between customer needs and business goals. Bonnie discusses how to earn trust, secure funding, and prove design’s strategic value — even in high-stakes environments. Plus, insights into building a mixed team, aligning design with business needs, and leading teams to think like business leaders.
🔑 Key Themes
Bridging business goals with customer outcomes
Earning trust and securing budget for design
Building a team that works cross-functionally
Proving design's strategic value in high-stakes environments
The importance of educating stakeholders on design
Navigating design’s role during budget restrictions
Designing for customers and internal teams
How to get a seat at the table as a designer
Using design to help teams achieve business goals
Designing for impact, not just aesthetics
🔗 Resources
— Connect with Bonnie Mooney on LinkedIn:
/ bonniemooney
— Connect with Joe Woodham on LinkedIn:
/ joe-woodham-torii-uxdesign
⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 - Intro: Bonnie Mooney’s Design Journey
10:39 - Choosing the Right Project to Pitch for Design Impact
14:13 - Aligning Design with Business Goals for Greater Impact
19:26 - Securing Funding and Understanding Business Needs
22:29 - The Key to Sustaining Design in Challenging Times
24:11 - Balancing Design Quality with Business Constraints
29:54 - Designing for Both Customers and Internal Teams
34:11 - Upskilling and Empowering Designers for Success
40:25 - Building Trust and Relationships to Drive Successful Design Projects
48:25 - Empowering Teams to Champion Design
51:20 - Turning Design into a Strategic Asset
53:23 - Where to Connect with Bonnie Mooney
📌 Tags
design leadership, design strategy, business design, design in business, product design, customer-centric design, design thinking, business outcomes, design education, cross-functional design teams, design for business success, design value, design mindset, stakeholder engagement, design for impact, design and business alignment, enterprise design, Bonnie Mooney, McMillan Shakespeare design, business goals, design for customer experience, enterprise design thinking
In God we trust