The Hedgehog Concept- the key to your Post COVID-19 success !

The Hedgehog Concept was originally based on an ancient Greek parable which stated, "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." Business researcher and consultant, Jim Collins, used this concept as a metaphor for business and personal success in his influential book, "Good to Great."

With the COVID-19 era now upon us the effects on our business and our personal lives will be long lasting even after a vaccine is found.  With this in mind it is worth examining the key concept behind the best-selling Business book Good to Great”  by Jim Collins.

Collins researched the reasons why a company or person can be successful in business. The hedgehog concept is basically about simplicity.  In the classic Greek fable the fox is a cunning creature, scattered and diffused moving on many levels in devising attacks on the hedgehog.  In contrast the hedgehog is a dowdy, single minded, creature, who meanders along in going about his day of finding food and building his home.

Every day the sleek, cunning, fast moving fox devises strategies to conquer the slow, bulky cumbersome hedgehog only to be met by a sphere of sharp spikes pointing in all directions as the hedgehog balls up in self-defense.  The hedgehog sensing danger knows what to do to thwart any attacks by the fox.

Despite the Fox’s speed and stealth in trying to conquer him, the hedgehog knows one big thing it is good at to repel any attacks. Even though they lack the lithe, limber attributes of the fox, hedgehogs are far from unintelligent.

As Collins says “hedgehogs aren’t simpletons, they have a piercing insight that allows them to see through complexity and discern underlying patterns. They see what is important and ignore the rest”

  Collins research found that successful companies were mainly hedgehogs with a clear goal for their companies while unsuccessful companies tended to be foxes with a vision that is scattered, diffused and inconsistent.

So what is your hedgehog concept?

The basis of the Hedgehog concept rests on a circular framework that each start with a question.  Where these circles overlap is the Hedgehog concept.

 I will use a personal example of the World Bank Fitness Center in Washington Dc to illustrate how the Hedgehog concept applied to my career

1. What are you deeply passionate about?

Providing great fitness classes and professional exercise and fitness prescription to the 7000 staff at the World Bank Fitness Centers

 2. What can you be the best in the world at?

Providing classes with personalized instruction, knowing names and creating a friendly, professional service culture. 

From the outset we knew that as a Corporate Fitness Center we could never match the facilities on offer at the high end Commercial clubs with their extensive equipment, in some cases 24 hour availability and many with extra facilities including swimming pools, steam rooms, towel services etc.

However what we could offer was high quality exercise classes with a dedicated team of Volunteer instructors, and qualified experienced Fitness staff.  Most importantly we knew that by employing staff who were true people, people who value building relationships over transactions we would be successful. This started from our front desk staff. While many fitness centers give lip service to employing first class front desk people. At the WBFC we were fortunate to employ a person who had a very personable nature and an uncanny ability to remember people’s names.  Also by using professionally trained in-house Volunteer Group exercise instructors the personal relationships with members was enhanced.

 3. What drives your economic engine?

Basically what drove our economic engine was to use the colorful vernacular Backsides on seats.  To justify our existence we could not be just a token effort.  We needed to have World Bank staff actively using the facilities.

 More than just following your passion.

  After answering the 3 questions, you have to determine where they overlap. The overlap is where the Hedgehog concept can be found; the central vision that supports the organizations strategy.

  At the World Bank Fitness Centers we developed a central vision using the mantra “Fitness First, first 4 fitness.”  Our vison was to be the first choice staff at the World Banks would make it seeking to achieve their fitness goals, encompassing the 4 major components of Aerobic, Strength, Flexibility and Body Composition.After identifying the Hedgehog Concept, organizations and individuals can improve by being a hedgehog and focusing on what they’re best at instead of being a fox and trying too many different strategies to achieve their goals.  

By employing our Hedgehog Concept of Fitness Firts, First 4 fitness we were able to attract and retain over 4500 members, which is significantly above industry averages for corporate fitness centers and a 95% approval rating in membership surveys.

Over to You

What do you think? What is your experience with the Hedgehog Concept / Hedgehog Principle by Jim Collins? Do you recognize the practical explanation or do you have more additions? What are your success factors for making strategic choices?

Share your experience and knowledge in the comments box below.