There are many products and services out there that we use regularly and often think that there's got to be a better way. Even with products and services we like, we can often think of improvements that we'd like to see:

1. Make a list of about 10 products or services you believe could be improved.
2. Specify exactly what it is about each one of them that you do not like.
3. Select three or four of them and think of ways that would "fix" the "defect." (Assume you have relatively unlimited money and technology.) Use the SCAMPER approach.
4. Talk to several friends and brainstorm to see if they have similar opinions about the product or service. Ask their opinion of your solutions and if they have any other ideas.
5. Add all these to your "idea" notebook—and who knows?

Many new products or services are "invented" because someone was unhappy with the available alternatives. Sometimes the technology isn't there yet; sometimes the solutions are too expensive to implement or make the product too expensive. Others are just waiting for someone to do something.