So how do you go about it?

Part of the reason why consultants have been so successful is that they're not firmly entrenched in the environment. When you've been in a sector (read industry as well) for an extended period of time you unconsciously put on blinkers (or lenses). You start to see things through those lenses and quite frankly it blinds you to everything else, you are hindered by almost self imposed constraints. These constraints have been developed by doing the same thing in the same way over decades. You get suckered into applying conventional wisdom. My biggest problem with conventional wisdom is just that, its just sooo conventional. More often that not we are asked to do more with less and many of us are not rising to the occasion. Probe, do research, develop your own solutions, move towards original thought...if you know your space the answer is not out there...its within

Much luv and trust