Blind Spots

 

Now that we know the significance of mental models, let’s take another look at the data provided by your client and think about what other mental models would fit the data.

Mental models should always include what you don’t know. When we hire our team, it's always good to know what's their strengths and weaknesses upfront rather than finding out only when it’s too late. Same goes for Data Analysis too. 

Being clear about your knowledge gaps is essential. Always specify uncertainty. If you’re explicit about uncertainty, you’ll be on the lookout for ways to use data to fill gaps in your knowledge, and you will make better recommendations.

Thinking about uncertainties upfront can be uncomfortable, but the payoff is huge. To put it in other words, don't hesitate to ask those difficult questions to your clients and find out what they don't know about their business. 

We all have inherent biases, knowledge gaps and wrong assumptions about our businesses and our end customers. Getting into and documenting those blind spot areas about the business from your clients, could help you immensely to reevaluate your problem and data. 

For example, take a close look at the data and think about the client's mental model. Does this data fit with the idea that the customers are all teens, or might it suggest other age groups as customers? Maybe the client's product is also used by another age group, which was not yet noticed by your client.

This insight and intelligence might bring about a huge shift in how your client does their business. Make a report and recommendation based on this new information which in turn help your client increase sales.