The Hedgehog Concept is based on a Greek parable. The lesson goes that a quick and very cunning fox comes across this hedgehog every day that is lumbering down the middle of a forest path. The fox thinks that today he is finally going to make a meal of this dumpy little creature; the hedgehog thinks, “Here we go again.” So, as the fox approaches, the hedgehog rolls up into a ball of needle sharp quills that stymies the fox who soon gives up and moves along. The lesson being that although the fox is a formidable predator, the hedgehog is very good at doing one very simple thing – defending himself.
The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing!
Jim Collins says you can develop a hedgehog concept for your business or yourself by considering the intersection of three principles:
- What can you be the best in the world at? (Think strengths?)
- What are you deeply passionate about? (Fundamental decisions?)
- What drives your economic engine?
Karim Vaes 