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Robert Anderson
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| Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:10 am Post subject: Hedgehog concept? |
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What do you think of the Jim Collins' "Hedgehog Concept"?
In a nutshell, the idea is that there is the fox and the hedgehog. The fox
knows many things.
The hedgehog know only one thing but he knows it very well.
So Jim Collins applies this idea to business in his contention that the
companies that have gone from good to great figure out their Hedgehog
Concept -- the product or service that they can do better than anyone
else -- and then really focus on that. The idea is to drop those things that
you cannot do better than everyone else.
Do you think this is a sound idea?
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Robert Anderson |
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Mark Carroll
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| Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Hedgehog concept? |
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In article <11elksobrvua970@news.supernews.com>,
Robert Anderson <nonspam@nospams.com> wrote:
(snip)
Quote: else -- and then really focus on that. The idea is to drop those things that
you cannot do better than everyone else.
Do you think this is a sound idea?
It's too soon to say how well it's worked for us, but that's exactly
our philosophy. We have some technologies that, for many applications,
beat what everyone normally uses. If a project won't particularly
differentiate us by showing off the benefits of our approach, we'll
usually refuse it. More commonly, projects require us to inject our
technology into others' domains, and in those cases we will try to
partner or subcontract for the parts that we don't have any special
ability in, even if we could do a competent job. I don't like the idea
of competing to do things that many others can do just as well, or
spending valuable time doing those instead of putting all our efforts
into the things that make us really stand out.
-- Mark |
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Mike Turco
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| Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Hedgehog concept? |
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"Robert Anderson" <nonspam@nospams.com> wrote in message
news:11elksobrvua970@news.supernews.com...
Quote:
The idea is to drop those things that
you cannot do better than everyone else.
Do you think this is a sound idea?
Who can truly do anything better than everyone else? For example, running.
Even if you set a world record and are the fastest runner in the world, or win
a gold medal at the Olympics, how long can you maintain that status?
For a small business to try and be a jack of all trades is the kiss of
death. Should a business (or a person) focus on their strengths? Of course.
But to not do or try something because you are not "the best" is automatic
failure.
Mike |
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Robert Anderson
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: Hedgehog concept? |
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"Mike Turco" <miketurcoNO@yahooSPAM.com> wrote:
Quote: "Robert Anderson" <nonspam@nospams.com> wrote:
The idea is to drop those things that
you cannot do better than everyone else.
Do you think this is a sound idea?
Who can truly do anything better than everyone else? For example, running.
Even if you set a world record and are the fastest runner in the world, or
win
a gold medal at the Olympics, how long can you maintain that status?
For a small business to try and be a jack of all trades is the kiss of
death. Should a business (or a person) focus on their strengths? Of
course.
But to not do or try something because you are not "the best" is automatic
failure.
Yes, I am not sure if Collins meant literally you had to be the best at
something or drop it, or did he mean you should focus like a lazer on what
*your* company is best at and strive to become the best in the world. I
agree if that is what he is saying.
--
Robert Anderson |
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jmk
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: Hedgehog concept? |
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"Robert Anderson" <nonspam@nospams.com> wrote:
Quote: What do you think of the Jim Collins' "Hedgehog Concept"?
In a nutshell, the idea is that there is the fox and the hedgehog. The fox
knows many things.
The hedgehog know only one thing but he knows it very well.
So Jim Collins applies this idea to business in his contention that the
companies that have gone from good to great figure out their Hedgehog
Concept -- the product or service that they can do better than anyone
else -- and then really focus on that. The idea is to drop those things
that
you cannot do better than everyone else.
Do you think this is a sound idea?
Ever meet a rich hedgehog? |
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Robert Anderson
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| Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: Hedgehog concept? |
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"jmk" <compukat@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:11epju4o3scpfe3@news.supernews.com...
Quote: Ever meet a rich hedgehog?
No, but I have never met a rich fox either.
The only rich animal I have met is a rich horse and a rich house cat. :-)
--
Robert Anderson |
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