Strategy, to us, needs to solve real-life problems. Otherwise we run the risk of just coming up with laundry lists of desirable outcomes.
In our experience, when we take a blank page approach & have conversations with customers in their unknowns and ambiguity, clarity typically begins to come.
So we can make clear choices on what problems will have the biggest impact when solved.
To help you get some immediate value, here is a quick summary of this article by Inc.:
https://www.inc.com/greg-satell/if-you-want-to-innovate-you-need-to-focus-on-this-one-thing.html
“Truly useful ideas don’t arise from out of the ether or through fancy techniques like brainstorming or divergent thinking. The best ideas come in response to an important problem and thrive under constraints.
The most innovative firms….what sets them apart was how they aggressively sought out new problems to solve.
The truth is that if you want to create a truly innovative culture, it isn’t ideas you should glorify, but problems.
Technology today moves so fast and in so many directions that those who think they can truly see the future are just fooling themselves.
Don’t look for a great idea. Look for a good problem.”