Are You A Fox Or A Hedgehog?
Are you a fox or a hedgehog? This is an important question for anyone wanting to start or grow their own business.
In his book, “Good To Great,” Jim Collins talks about the parable of the Fox and the Hedgehog. The Fox is sleek, athletic and cunning. He seems to have every advantage over the Hedgehog who, by comparison, is slower and somewhat ungainly, looking like an unfortunate cross between an armadillo and a porcupine.
In the parable, the Fox plots and schemes to catch the Hedgehog. He comes up with a different plan everyday, but everyday the Hedgehog sees the Fox at the last minute and rolls himself up into a ball with his many quills sticking out in all directions. The Fox, faced with this impenetrable defense, invariably retreats, going off to plan the next day’s attack.
The point of all this is that the Hedgehog has mastered one thing. And that mastery allows him to fend off any attack from the Fox, no matter how cunning, no matter how shrewd. If we apply this parable to the business world, the Hedgehog would be the business that has completely mastered one thing in its market. The Fox would be a business that by all appearances should be superior to the Hedgehog business, but is unable to break into the Hedgehog’s market. The Hedgehog’s level of mastery in it’s niche is a high hurdle that the Fox is unable to clear.
But how does the Hedgehog achieve this mastery? By applying what Jim Collins refers to as “The Three Circles.”
The first circle is talent and ability (sometimes referred to as core competencies in the business world). The Hedgehog has identified all of his inherent talents and abilities and does not allow himself to be distracted by activities requiring talents and abilities he does not possess.
The second circle is passion. The Hedgehog knows what he is passionate about and only engages in projects that will fuel that passion and keep him focused until the project is complete.
The third circle is the economic or cash flow circle. The Hedgehog has determined which activities will make him money and which will not. He does not undertake any venture without understanding how it will produce income for him or his business.
Where these 3 circles intersect is where the Hedgehog can achieve complete mastery and market dominance.
So here’s your assignment today. 
Visit Jim Collins’ “Good To Great” website, read up on the Hedgehog Concept and then see if you can apply it to your own business.
Click Here To Visit Jim Collins’ Good To Great Website
Draw your 3 circles, find where they intersect and then design a business that (1) you can be the best in the world at, (2) you can be passionate about and (3) will make money for you.
Now get out there and find your hedgehog!
- Daniel Joseph Moran
