The Wow Accelerator experience: What it’s like to create solutions for the future
The DBS WOW Accelerator is back! A five-month virtual programme to fast-track the development of various projects across the bank’s business units, the Wow Accelerator brings together a multitude of talents, from tech interns to internal mentors and subject-matter experts, to co-create the solutions of tomorrow that can drive real impact for DBS and push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
To learn what it takes to be a part of this deeply enriching programme, we sat down with Rachel and Wynn, our UI/UX Trainees from DBS Innovation, and Zhang Meng, our Agent of WOW, to catch a glimpse of their experiences thus far!
How has the WOW accelerator experience been like for you?
Zhang Meng: It’s like working in a start-up set-up for product development — learn, build, validate, repeat. The pace is fast, and we work in an agile manner as a cross-functional team.
Wynn: I agree, and it’s been a wonderful and fruitful experience. I’ve learnt a lot from the project, and it’s also showed me what it takes to develop, pitch and execute ideas, among other things.
Rachel: I enjoyed the process of working with my team and being able to build a solution together. From applying new frameworks to brainstorming ideas and prototyping, before finally testing and validating our solutions with our customers, each stage was exciting and rewarding.
What motivated you to join the WOW Accelerator?
Wynn: I’ve always wanted to work in UX, so when I saw an opportunity to hone my skills in this field through the WOW Accelerator, I signed up without hesitation. I find it very exciting to work on problems and find ways to solve them.
Zhang Meng: The biggest motivator for me was the opportunity to grow and become an intrapreneur; I strongly believe in being a “learn-it-all”. Embarking on a new project also allowed us to learn more about different markets. We were also able to hone new skills and pitch our ideas like true intrapreneurs.
Rachel: I saw it as an opportunity to make a difference by working on an exciting project where new ideas can be brought to life in just a few months. I was intrigued to discover how emerging technology and banking can work hand-in-hand to create innovative experiences for users.
What was your innovation journey like during this entire programme?
Zhang Meng: Overall, it was a bumpy ride, with plenty of new ideas and feedback. There are many uncertainties and unknowns when experimenting for innovation. We didn’t know how integrating new features would influence customer behaviour, and we didn’t know whether customers would be receptive to them.
To navigate these uncertainties, we created wireframes of our design and tested them with customers, soliciting early feedback and iterating along the way. Sometimes we were met with surprises, and sometimes we received shocks.
Wynn: Yes, there definitely were a lot of ups and downs, including having to overcome personal limitations and expanding personal abilities. There were moments of frustration when ideas get rejected as well as exciting moments when things go well. I picked up a few new skills along the way, including animation skills for the video we had to make.
Rachel: I think the most important learning point throughout this journey is being flexible and open to change. Having to adapt to a new way of working virtually, as well as picking up new skills and knowledge along the way, was not easy. I was constantly pushed to step out of my comfort zone, which was uncomfortable but necessary for growth.
Additionally, working closely with colleagues from various departments has been eye-opening and allowed me to hear from many different perspectives. I think that this has been especially helpful in gaining a better understanding of how to balance business needs with design solutions.
What were some of the challenges you faced and overcome throughout this process?
Rachel: Initially, the process was slightly overwhelming due to the fast-paced nature of the programme and having to work with a brand new team. However, learning how to adjust and communicate effectively was very helpful in ensuring that the project could run smoothly.
Zhang Meng: I believe the biggest challenge we faced while developing our solution was figuring out the best way to leverage new technology to enhance the overall experience and translate it to our business objectives. We had to study a few other industries, exploring other solutions to discover new insights and ideas.
Wynn: The biggest challenge for me was finding out that not all business problems can be solved even with new technology. Through the customer immersion process we conducted, we were able to narrow down the problems we could solve with our current capabilities to align expectations and work towards the best possible solution.
Could you sum up the entire experience in one sentence?
Wynn: Not a linear process — even though the journey was like a roller coaster, we got through it together as a team.
Rachel: Challenging yet fulfilling.
Zhang Meng: Do it, doing it, did it, and will do it again!
Want to find out more about the experience? Watch the video below as we caught up our Agent of WOWs and UI/UX Trainees!
The DBS WOW Accelerator is a five-month virtual accelerator programme focused on addressing challenges faced by various business units in the bank. Launched by the DBS Innovation team, the programme unites DBS talent with external partners to develop game-changing and human-centric solutions that drive innovation in the bank.
