Remember that famous statement supposedly made by the U.S. Patent Commission in 1899: "Everything that can be invented has been invented." I don't think anyone believes that anymore, but it's surprising how much there is left to do to satisfy consumer demands. If you're struggling to think about what people really want these days, here are a few products and services I wish I could find easily. Maybe my list will give you a few ideas.
A gizmo on my printer ink cartridge or printer that tells me how many pages I have printed on each ink refill. I know the printer companies make a claim about 300 pages per cartridge but I swear I get about 100 max.>/p>
A sound sensor for my eyeglasses, similar to the button I push on my cordless phone base unit when I want to know where the receiver is. I lose my glasses at least once a day. I also lose my checkbook, the TV remote, and other things, so I'd like to be able to put sensors on various objects at the same time.
A way to see - either visually or some other way - all the areas where energy leaks from my house, and convert that information into dollars. That way I can calculate whether a new window is a good investment. I know there are services that can do an "energy audit" but I am thinking about something I can do myself rather than have done by someone who wants to sell me something.
My home wireless network doesn't work very well. I have poor connectivity upstairs because my router is downstairs. How about a router that works everywhere and anywhere, no matter where my Internet cable is? I don't think one exists.
OK, your turn. What are a dozen products and services you personally would like that don't exist? How about the ten of your best friend, siblings, parents? Before long you'll have a lengthy list of good business ideas to test.
I’d say everything is not invented but you don’t have to do it. Looking for the next big business could take you to never do enough to make your actual business enough good to become big. Remember: you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, you just have to find the gaps on your market, take the best of your competitors, turn it into advantages for your business and add your competitive advantage to it!