Start here: Answer the question, “What am I trying to accomplish?”

Then, “What are some of the ways that can happen?” This will give you the high order possible strategies.

Next, validate that this is, in some way, possible. Use internal and external market research.

Your research opens up the Gap Analysis, and starts to answer the question, What is needed to get THERE?

Consider, “How different is that from WHERE YOU ARE NOW?” and “What are the ways to close the gaps?”

Prioritize which gaps are most important AND most closable AND Have the biggest payoff.

Now: DO THOSE THINGS FIRST

The decks are finally clear. Here are four ways to make a breakthrough:

1. Figure out what’s working and find a way to do it much more, or much better.
2. Figure out what’s not working and fix it.
3. Figure out something from a different discipline and apply it to your own GAP
4. Invent something new, completely of whole cloth.