The people who will be strong from now on are those who can produce 'prototypes' rather than those who are good at writing proposals

Recently, I feel that the criteria for being strong in work have
changed a little.

Previously,

People who were good at explaining.
People who had clean documents.
People who could speak in meetings.
People who could create project proposals.

These kinds of people were strong.

Of course, these are still important today.

But from now on,
that alone will not be quite enough.

The people who will be strong from now on

are those who can shape things into a small form and show them

I think.

It is hard to get things moving with just 'That's a good idea'

In work, there are often
situations like this.

'I think we should do it this way.'

'It would be convenient if we had this mechanism.'

'It seems like we could make this task easier.'

What is being said is correct.

But,
it doesn't move forward easily.

The reason is,
from the listener's perspective,
it is still a bit vague.

What kind of screen is it?
What is the flow?
Who will use it?
What will become easier?
Is it really easy to use?

With just words,
the burden of imagining it is high.

Therefore,
even though it is a good idea, it gets passed over.

This is quite a waste.

What AI has changed is the 'hurdle before creating'.

Recently, by using AI,
the hurdle for creating simple prototypes has dropped significantly.

Developing an app from scratch.
Implementing a system.
Outsourcing.
Securing a budget.

Even without going that far,

・Screen images
・Input forms
・Workflow
・Simple checklists
・Draft manuals
・FAQs
・Drafts for proposal materials

you can turn these into something
quite quickly.

Recently gaining attention,
'vibe coding' is one such example.

Without having to write all the specialized code from scratch,
it is a way of thinking where you instruct AI in natural language
to create small tools or prototypes.

Of course,
using it as-is for production is dangerous.

Things created by AI
can also contain mistakes.

Security.
Personal information.
Calculation errors.
Malfunctions.
Permission management.

These areas definitely require verification.

However,

as a prototype to test an idea

it is quite useful.

When you have a prototype, the conversation changes

For example,
if you just say 'I want to make responding to inquiries easier,'
the conversation remains vague.

But,

'If we had an input form like this,
we could likely categorize inquiry content automatically.'

And show a simple screen image.

Then,
the conversation changes.

Maybe this item isn't necessary.

I want to include the department in charge here.

It's easier to use in this order on-site.

We could probably try this with a paper checklist first.

In this way,
it becomes easier to move toward concrete improvements.

A prototype is
not meant to provide the correct answer.

It is meant to move the discussion forward.

It is.

【In the AI era, those who are strong are 'listeners' rather than 'good talkers' | Menpa Life Research Institute】
As I mentioned in my previous article on 'Listening Skills in the AI Era,' I believe that from now on, not only the ability to explain things well, but also the ability to adjust the form while observing the other person's reaction will become important.

Sometimes a rough prototype is stronger than a perfect proposal

Proposals are important.

But,
sometimes it's hard to convey things with just a proposal.

Especially
with new systems or improvement plans.

It's faster to see it once
than to have it explained in writing.

It's faster to actually touch it.

It's faster to see the flow.

Therefore,
you don't have to aim for perfection from the start.

In fact, it's fine to be rough at first.

・Hand-drawn screen layouts
・Provisional tables made in Excel
・Simple forms made with AI
・A single-page business flow
・A draft FAQ
・Sample text

This much is enough.

What is important is
not the level of perfection,

this looks like something we can try

is what you want them to think.

The number of 'people who try' will increase more than 'people who make'

From now on,
not everyone needs to become an engineer.

However,
everyone needs to become,

a person who tries

at least a little bit.

Find a problem.
Give it a small shape.
Show it to someone.
Ask for feedback.
Fix it.
Try it again.

People who can follow this flow
are quite strong.

What is important in the AI era
is not just being able to use AI.

It is being able to use AI to
move your work or the problems around you
forward, even if just a little.

'Small prototypes' you can start today

You don't need to overthink it.

Prototypes you can start today
are things like these, for example.

① Summarize just 3 frequently asked questions

If you get many inquiries,
start by making just 3 FAQs.

You don't need a perfect manual.

Three is enough.

2. Put the procedure on one page

If there is a task you explain every time, summarize the procedure on one page.
That alone makes it easier to hand over to others.

That alone makes it easier to hand over to others.

3. Draw screen designs on paper

If you want a specific input screen, it's enough to just draw squares on paper and list the items.
It's enough to just draw squares on paper and list the items.

That alone makes discussions more concrete.

4. Have AI create a draft

Create a checklist to make this task easier

Create a table to categorize inquiries

Create a simple procedure manual for new employees

In this way, first give it a form.
First give it a form.

After that, a human can just fix it.
A human can just fix it.

【People who work hard but aren't evaluated lack 'proof of effort' | Menpa Life Research Institute】
As I wrote in the 'proof of effort' article, small improvements become powerful if you keep a record of them. The same goes for prototypes; having something you've created makes it easier to explain your growth and the traces of your improvements.

Prototypes are also useful for getting evaluated

Your ideas won't be conveyed if they stay only in your head.
They won't be conveyed if they stay only in your head.

But if you have a prototype, they will be conveyed.
If you have a prototype, they will be conveyed.

Not just 'I thought of this'

but also

'I've made it this far'

It can be said.

This is a strength.

Both bosses and colleagues
find it easier to make decisions when there is something concrete.

'That's good'

'Let's fix this'

'Let's start small'

It is easier to lead to these.

People who are valued at work
do not necessarily provide the correct answer from the start.

They are people who provide material to move things forward

.

In the AI era, the difference lies in the sense of speed rather than perfection

In the age of AI,
the speed at which you can create an initial draft increases.

That is precisely why
the difference will be made by

whether or not you can take the first step

.

People who think perfectly before releasing.
People who first shape it and release it small.

This difference
will gradually grow.

Of course,
it does not mean you should release things sloppily.

Be careful with what you release for real.
Check things that affect others.
Verify numbers and rules.

This is a major prerequisite.

However,
in the early stages of consideration,
it is faster to try making something small.

Prototypes
are fine even if they fail.

In fact,
they are made to fail quickly.

The catchphrases of people who will be strong in the future

People who will be strong in the future
will probably say this.

"I'll try to give it some form once."

"I'll try making a prototype first."

"I made a rough version, so please take a look."

"Please try touching it and let me know if anything feels off."

"This is for verification, not the final version."

People who can say these words
can move work forward.

They don't just end with explanations.

They don't just end with discussions.

They don't just end with complaints.

Give it a small form,
and create the next conversation.

I think people who can do this
will be quite strong in the AI era.

Start with just "one sheet"

You don't have to make something big.

It doesn't have to be an app.
It doesn't have to be a perfect document.
It doesn't have to be a long proposal.

Start with one sheet.

A single screen design.
A single instruction sheet.
A single checklist.
A single comparison table.
A single business workflow.

With just this,
work moves forward a little.

In the coming era,
what is important is

people who can explain things

not just

people who can put things into a testable form

is what matters.

If you have an improvement idea in your head right now,
try to put just one into shape today.

It doesn't have to be for someone else to see.

Start by making it for yourself to see.

A small prototype,
can be the catalyst that moves future work forward.

In this note,
I research ways of living and working that don't wear you out.

If you don't want to push yourself too hard,
but still want to make steady progress,
it's useful to follow me.