For Innovation, Product & Digital Leaders
Test before you invest
Big platform decisions carry big risks. We help corporate and purpose-led teams validate ideas with real users before committing to build, buy, or modify — so you're investing in something people actually want.
A straight conversation about what you're facing.
We've de-risked decisions for
THE CHALLENGE
You're about to make a big bet. How do you know it's the right one?
Platform investments, new digital products, employee experience tools — these decisions can run into six or seven figures. And once you've committed, changing course is painful and expensive.
The usual approach? Stakeholder workshops, vendor demos, internal debates. Lots of opinions, not much evidence.
You're choosing between build, buy, or modify — and each path has major implications
Internal stakeholders have competing visions, and the loudest voice often wins
Vendor demos look impressive, but you're not sure they'll solve your actual problem
You need to justify the investment to leadership, but you're working from assumptions
The last big initiative didn't land as expected, and you can't afford another miss
What's at stake: Beyond the budget, there's your credibility. A failed platform decision doesn't just waste money — it erodes trust in your judgement and makes the next initiative harder to greenlight.
Evidence before commitment
OUR APPROACH
We create rapid prototypes and test them with real users — giving you concrete evidence of what works before you commit to a major investment. Think of it as a proving ground: a low-cost way to explore high-stakes decisions.
Rapid prototyping
We translate your concept into something tangible — clickable, testable, real enough to provoke genuine reactions. Not a polished product, but a working sketch that surfaces insights a slide deck never could.
Real user validation
We put prototypes in front of actual users — your employees, customers, or target audience — and watch what happens. Not focus groups trading opinions, but observed behaviour and unfiltered feedback.
Strategic clarity
We synthesise what we learn into clear recommendations: what to build, what to buy, what to avoid entirely. Evidence you can take to leadership with confidence.
Most organisations treat discovery as a nice-to-have — something to skip when timelines are tight. We see it differently: discovery is the cheapest form of insurance you can buy.
Discovery as risk mitigation
WHY THIS WORKS
Speed that matches urgency
We work in focused sprints — typically 4-8 weeks from kickoff to recommendations. Fast enough to meet your timeline, thorough enough to trust the findings. Now powered by AI.
Prototypes that provoke honesty
There's something about holding a working prototype that cuts through politeness. Users tell you what they really think when they're reacting to something concrete, not hypothetical.
Independence from vendors
We're not selling you a platform. We have no stake in whether you build, buy or modify. Our only interest is helping you make the right call for your context.
We've sat in your seat
20+ years working with small and large organisations means we understand the politics, the procurement hurdles and the need to build internal consensus. We know how to deliver findings that actually get traction.
HOW IT WORKS
A focused sprint from question to clarity
1
Frame the question
We start by understanding what you're actually trying to decide. What's the investment on the table? What are the competing options? What does success look like? This shapes everything that follows.
2
Research & insight gathering
Depending on the challenge, we conduct user interviews, stakeholder sessions, and contextual research to understand the real needs — not the assumed ones.
3
Rapid prototyping
We translate insights into tangible concepts, now in hours or days, not weeks. Clickable prototypes, service blueprints, experience maps — whatever makes the idea concrete enough to test.
4
User validation
We put prototypes in front of real users and observe. What resonates? What confuses? What's missing? This is where assumptions meet reality.
5
Synthesis & recommendation
We distil everything into clear, actionable recommendations. Not a 90-page report, but a focused brief that gives you the evidence to make a confident decision.
What people are saying
“Ben had the experience to deliver - no fuss, fast as you like, and his signature calm was just what I needed amidst the chaos of starting a new and demanding role. We moved fast, with fluid feedback and easy navigation.”
– Emily Maginess, Chief Marketing Officer, Care ADHD
Is this right for you?
This works for a specific kind of decision
Good fit if:
You're facing a significant platform, product, or experience investment
You need evidence to justify the decision to leadership or the board
You want to validate with real users, not just internal opinions
You're open to discovering that your initial assumptions might be wrong
You have budget for a focused 4-8 week engagement
Not a fit if:
The decision is already made, and you just need execution (we do that too)
You need a full build, not a prototype and validation (we do that also!)
Internal politics will override evidence regardless of findings
You're looking for the cheapest option
Timeline is under 4 weeks
OUR DESIGN DIRECTOR, BEN
We've been inside these big decisions
We're Eulio — a design and innovation consultancy founded by Ben Serbutt after 20+ years leading teams for organisations like HP, Greenpeace, Care ADHD and Novartis.
We know what it's like to fight for budget, navigate procurement, and build the internal case for something new. We've felt the pressure of high-stakes decisions and the frustration of watching initiatives fail because they solved the wrong problem.
That's why we focus on evidence over opinion. On testing before committing. On giving you the clarity to make decisions you can stand behind.
We bring calm to complex situations. No ego, no drama — just focused work that helps you move forward with confidence.
RSA Fellow | 20+ years of experience | Design Declares signatory
Ready to de-risk your next big decision?
Let's talk about what you're facing. A straight conversation to understand the decision, the stakes, and whether this approach makes sense for your situation.