It is not only a good flyhalf who need spot the gap to become successful, entrepreneurs have to do the same. It is actually easy to come up with creative ideas, most of us do this naturally and most often in our sleep. Finding the gap in the market to position this idea is the quality that separates the dreamers from the successful.

Gap identification and analysis is an art. The best way to spot a need or gap is to look for pain. Where people are experiencing pain or frustration there is normally a need for a new structure, product or service. We all crave convenience in our daily lives. I for one dislike, no even hate, to stand in queues, be put on hold, wait my turn, watch the hourglass mouse pointer for more than 10 seconds or have to deal with incompetence. All these issues create pain for me and I would often pay dearly to have these resolved for me. The same goes for filling up my car with fuel, sleeping, eating and admin work. All these to me are mostly time wasters that eat into time that I could be doing other things that I enjoy and that energise me. Unfortunately sleep and eating are hard to substitute or outsource, but the other issues are just opportunities for entrepreneurs to offer me their services, either through advances in technology or new services.

There is another gap that is often exploited but only by a few. This is that gap that people are not aware that exists until they are informed about it and educated in the essentials for a resolution to a problem that in their minds never existed until now. For example if I told you that science had discovered that all men over 40 that spent more than 20 hour in front of a screen in any week were susceptible to testicular cancer; but if they used my new nano-fibre technology underpants it would protect them from a painful and dysfunctional operation. See, I bet that you would be interested in getting a pair, they come in red, purple and national flag designs.  

So if you have a great idea, take some time to look at the current market and go for the gap. It could just be the next best thing. After my nano-undies of course.

P.S. Only kidding about the testicular cancer thing, you can uncross your legs.