Innovators will usually have four main goals:

• Developing or creating new applications, relationships, systems, or products.
• Providing creative ideas or artistic contributions.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Benchmarking, experimenting and testing novel approaches to solving problems.

Most strategists should excel at:

• Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

• Directing and coordinating workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
• Examining sample garments on and off models, modifying designs for achieving desired effects.
• Sketching rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and writing specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
• Conferring with sales and management executives or with clients for discussing design ideas.
• Identifying target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
• Attending fashion shows and reviewing garment magazines and manuals to gathering information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
• Selecting materials and production techniques to be used for products.
• Providing sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arranging for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.