When you are tasked with coming up with a new produce or service, the immediate reaction for most is to panic. Where and how do you start? The approach I've used for decades and that has helped me to create hundreds of products and services generating billions in revenue — ask questions.

There is a power in questions. Its one of those actions that requires others to take action. If I ask you question such as; What is half of thirteen? You cannot stop your self from answering it.

If you gave the answer as 6.5, you get an ‘A' if this was a math test. If this was an innovation test, maybe a ‘C-‘. Why? You like 95% of your competitors stop at the first obvious answer. To find game-changing ideas, you need to go beyond the obvious.

The following is a high level overview of the steps I use to find ideas for new products and services based on questions. If this topic is of interest, I would suggest you listen to the podcast below. You can also download the PDF mentioned in the show.

Step 1: Ask questions to understand the assumptions you and others operate under.

* What are the assumptions under which my industry operates?

* What are the assumptions under which my business operates?

Step 2: Use questions to look at unexpected jolts to your industry and business.

* What are the unexpected jolts that could transform your business?

Step 3: Use questions to fuel your ideation process.

* Who Questions:

* #8 – What customer segment will emerge in 5 years that doesn't exist today?

* #12 – How will I identify and locate customers in five years?

* What Questions:

* #4 – What features of my product create unanticipated passion?

* #10 – What products could I create out of unused assets?

* How Questions:

* #4 – What features of my product create unanticipated passion?

* #10 – What products could I create out of unused assets?

Step 4: Use Questions to rank the ideas generated and identify the top 3 or 4 to work on.

For more on how to use questions (with sample questions), download the PDF of How To Use Questions To Find New Ideas

Show Links:

If you would like to purchase the Killer Question Card Deck, then visit Innovation.Tools.