Why is this a good interview question? Because it reveals a tremendous amount of insight into the candidate. While typical questions solicit standard responses from candidates, this question allows the interviewer to look into the character of the candidate. In responding to this question, the candidate will be more inclined to reveal a little (or a lot) of his or her true nature:
So, ask yourself, ask your job candidates and ask your employees, "Are you lucky?"
I was watching a video by Chris Anderson how things in our economy are approaching free. The main thrust is that in our digital economy things are getting cheaper (which is different that our prior commodity world) and in some instances reach the point where they are effectively free. And as things approach free, we should embrace that and treat them as free.
With that, new business models emerge and test things that we can not envision at the outset – so “waste is good” because in the end we should develop a stronger model that works for all involved.
What does all this talk about hedgehogs and foxes have to do with good to great? Everything.
Those who built the good-to-great companies were, to one degree or another, hedgehogs. They used their hedgehog nature to drive toward what we came to call a Hedgehog Concept for their companies. Those who led the comparison companies tended to be foxes, never gaining the clarifying advantage of a Hedgehog Concept, being instead scattered, diffused, and inconsistent.
In his book, Jim Collins summarized it as follows:
A Hedgehog Concept is a simple, crystalline concept that flows from deep understanding about the intersection of the following three circles:
1. What you can be the best in the world at (and, equally important, what you cannot be the best in the world at). This discerning standard goes far beyond core competence. Just because you possess a core competence doesn’t necessarily mean you can be the best in the world at it. Conversely, what you can be the best at might not even be something in which you are currently engaged.
2. What drives your economic engine. All the good-to-great companies attained piercing insight into how to most effectively generate sustained and robust cash flow and profitability. In particular, they discovered the single denominator—profit per x—that had the greatest impact on their economics. (It would be cash flow per x in the social sector.)
3. What you are deeply passionate about. The good-to-great companies focused on those activities that ignited their passion. The idea here is not to stimulate passion but to discover what makes you passionate.
Just some thoughts on a Thursday.
I found out that April 21st is a special day at Ben & Jerry's. They Offer Free Ice Cream Cones. So rush out and get a free cone with the best ice cream in the world
Tuesday, April 21st is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s, and you know what that means...
free ice cream for you!
As a way to thank our customers for their support and to celebrate 31 years of scooping the chunkiest, funkiest ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet, Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops are happily giving it away!
Maybe it’s time for you to try a new flavor that you’ve been wondering about without commiting your hard earned dollars or it’s time for you to enjoy an old favorite and savor in the deliciousness that is free ice cream? Hey, either way it’s time for you to come on in!
Around the world, Scoop Shops are opening their doors from noon to 8:00 pm, to serve up a free scoop of your favorite flavor. Please check with your local Scoop Shop for more info!
Grab a pal and come on down to have some good, ’scream fun on us!
Find a participating Scoop Shop near you!
http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/feature/free-cone-day/