Defining the opportunity map

Jonte Goldwater

December 17, 2025

Defining the opportunity map

This is the stage where growth stops being a set of ideas and becomes a decision system. We take every input from the earlier steps; current scope reality, competitive dynamics, scope stretch, and leadership alignment, and convert it into a single map that shows: where opportunity spaces are, how big they are, what conditions are driving them, and what it takes to win.

1) Demand Space Map (organisation × opportunity)
A structured view of demand, not a brainstorm:

·       Opportunity spaces + size/value pools

·       Competitive intensity (who’s there, how hard to displace)

·       Drivers / conditions (what must be true for demand to grow)

·       What it takes to win (capability, channel power, credibility, cost-to-serve, speed)

2) Portfolio planning: DRIVE / NATURE / ANCHOR / TRADE
We manage growth as a portfolio—not a list:

·       DRIVE — material growth engines that change the trajectory

·       NATURE — organic expansions using existing capability and permission

·       ANCHOR — protect the core profit base and fund the plan

·       TRADE — deliberate stops/exits/simplifications to free capacity and capital

Growth isn’t only what you add. It’s also what you choose to stop.

3) Strategy framework: Growth Platforms × Demand Spaces × Brand Match × Innovation
We connect the dots into coherent choices:

·       Growth platforms (the few big plays that organise investment)

·       Demand spaces (where each platform competes and why now)

·       Brand match (which brand has permission to win there)

·       Innovation opportunities (what must change: offer, model, experience, channel)

4) Innovation priority map: Offer × Customer
We prioritise by existing/new offer and existing/new customers:

·       Existing offer × existing customers = INCREMENT

·       New offer × existing customers + Existing offer x new customers = EVOLVE

·       New offer × new customers = BREAKTHROUGHS

Outcome: one Opportunity Map that aligns leadership on where growth is real, what it will take to win, and how we sequence Increment → Evolve → Breakthroughs without breaking the business.

Are you looking to grow your business through the power of brand & design? Please visit our 'about' page for more

We get smaller brands ready for the next step, big brands back on track,  and we build brands from the ground up.

Are you looking to grow your business through the power of brand & design? Please visit our 'about' page for more

We get smaller brands ready for the next step, big brands back on track,  and we build brands from the ground up.