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BackYard Blog a Deux: Ok, So Your Backyard isn’t so Exciting…Try This

Rick_E_Norris,_An_Accountancy_Corporation_BackYard_Blog_A_Deux_Ok_Your_Backyard_Isn't_So_Exciting_Try_This

Pardon my French, but French isn’t my second language…English is.  I’m still looking for the first.

At the time I was getting blog comments on my article, In Starting a New Business, You Shouldn’t Leave Your Backyard, I came across a section in Jim Collin’s book, Good to Great, that added another dimension.  The chapter was the Three Circles of the Hedgehog Concept.  Now, as a form of background, Jim advocated that you want to be a hedgehog, not a fox in business.  Foxes are cunning and complicated; Hedgehogs are simple and effective…they just roll up in a ball of spikes every time, and it works.

A good example of this occurred twenty years ago with client, Michael Feinstein.  Michael, in the early 90’s or late 80’s was a piano bar guy playing and singing Gertschwin.  Using this passion, he was able to parlay this simple act into an internationally recognized performance.  (He is still doing it today.)  I will apply Jim’s philosophy to Micheal, but let me discuss Jim’s book, first.

Jim’s book illustrated a three intersecting circles diagram on how to be a great company, not just a good one.  The first two circles were similar to what I mentioned in the last blog where I quoted the Susan Reid article.  1) Do what you are deeply passionate about, and 2) Do something that drives your economic engine.  Now, where Jim differs in the message of the blog was the third circle.  3) Do something that you can be the best in the world at.

Now, that’s a tall requirement.

The first thing many would say is, “Yes, your core competency.”  But Jim wouldn’t agree.  He says, “Clearly, a Hedgehog Concept is not the same as a core competence.  You can have a core competence at something but not necessarily have the potential to be the best in the world at it.”

Now, let’s get back to Michael.  When he started he played his passion, Gershwin.  His dad introduced him the musical genre when he was much younger.  Second, his style and voice allowed him to make an economic living.  But the third circle is what differentiated him from the others.  He sought to design his performance, not to be the best pianist in the world, not to be the best singer or entertainer in the world, but to be the best Gershwin entertainer in the world.  He found his blue ocean, and fulfilled the third circle requirement.

That tripartite strategy is the strategy to success, fulfillment, and greatness.  The question is, do you have the business ambition to take the calculated risk?

35 thoughts on “BackYard Blog a Deux: Ok, So Your Backyard isn’t so Exciting…Try This”

    1. Hi Lora,

      Thanks for the advice. Our front page has a facebook link along with other sites, and each blog page has links, too. Thanks for reading.

      Reply

    2. Hi Lora,

      Thanks for your advice about having social buttons on the bottom. I didn’t realize that they were removed when we changed the format. Anyway, they are all there now if you have not subscribed or bookmarked them.

      Reply

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