‘Clever Trevor’ involves seeking insights from individuals outside your immediate circle, industry, or expertise. By engaging with a “stranger” who has no prior knowledge of your problem, you gain unbiased opinions, uncover hidden assumptions, and discover novel solutions that experts often miss.
The Power of the Outsider
Experts are often blinded by what they “know” is possible. Strangers only see what is obvious.
Define Your Problem
Clearly articulate your challenge in simple, jargon-free language.
Example: “How can we make our local coffee shop more appealing to a younger demographic (18-25)?”
Identify a 'Stranger'
Think of someone outside your industry. A retired teacher, a construction worker, an artist, or even a tourist.
- For a Tech Product: Ask a chef.
- For a Retail Shop: Ask a software engineer.
- For a Service Design: Ask a child.
Ask Naive Questions
Don’t ask for solutions. Ask about their feelings, analogies, and first impressions.
- “What does this problem remind you of?”
- “What would be the worst way to solve this?”
- “What seems obvious to you that I might be missing?”
Capture the Insights
Listen for surprising analogies or “stupid” questions that challenge your core assumptions.
“Coffee shops are boring; they all look the same. I want a place that feels like a living room or a content creation booth.” Idea: Redesign the interior with distinct zones and ‘TikTok-ready’ lighting.
Practice
Your problem: “Our museum is too quiet and empty.” You ask a DJ for their perspective. What one “un-museum” thing might a DJ suggest to change the energy?