What a Tiny Toilet in Paris Can Teach Us About User-Focused Innovation

Can a tiny toilet in a Paris airport teach us everything about user-focused innovation?

Absolutely.

Recently, while traveling through Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, I noticed something unexpected in the restroom.

Inside the stall, next to the standard toilet, was a much smaller one.

Why is that, I wondered?

And then I thought back to having small children and the challenge of helping them in the bathroom, lifting them to the toilet designed for adults.

The double toilet was such a simple, elegant solution to a real problem.

And sure enough, when I got out of the stall, I saw a cute mother/daughter sign on the door.

This is a great reminder that if you are deeply user-focused (in this case, understanding the challenge of the public bathroom experience for parents with little kids), there may be some easy, creative solutions that provide a significantly improved user experience.

We often think innovation needs to be big or technically new, but an innovative solution for your customers can be simple and low tech.

It starts with observing, listening, and asking the right questions to spot hidden frustrations and opportunities.

Where have you seen innovation solve a real problem in a surprisingly simple way?