The best-in-class (only a small group of companies) conduct deep, forward-looking analysis of market dynamics (customer needs, competitor strategies, channel shifts, etc.) as a means to forecast where the market is headed over the mid- to long-term.  They then set their multi-year strategies in order to catch the market at that identified future-state.  Those are the companies that emerge as market leaders within an industry; they are seen as setting the tone and direction of a sector and are the ones that gain share and power...