We’ve spent most of the last decade trying to get organizations to be more focused.

The One Thing concept originated from our work with a startup that had raised almost $1M of friends and family money.  Flush with cash and unbridled bravado, they set out to conquer the world.

So far, so good.  All great startups have big dreams and bold visions.

However, this company ignored our advice and decided to enter about a dozen markets … all at once.  Their strategy was to build a social network that blew away Facebook.  And to build a payment system that blew away Visa.  And build a contact management system that blew away Microsoft Outlook.  And to revolutionize the trade show industry.  And to revolutionize the singles club scene.  And to become the hottest thing on college campuses.  And to reinvent online advertising.  And more.

All at once.

You can guess what happened.

Narrow your focus.  Identify One defining differentiation.  Dominate your market.

The Shift Points blog is designed for Fast Lane leaders who want to leave their competitors in the dust.

Shift Your Thinking … Accelerate Your Results.

Perhaps you have been working on your One Thing and have a working hypothesis of what it is.  Consider the following “ten easy questions” to validate whether it is good enough.

1.       Illuminating – It provides long-term strategic direction.

2.       Compelling – The customer values it (and is willing to pay for it!)

3.       Winning – The competitors can’t match it.

4.       Energizing – It puts “high-octane” fuel in everyone’s tank.

5.       Defining – It defines who you are (and who you want to be).

6.       Focusing – It focuses energy on what you can become truly great at.

7.       Unifying – It brings the entire organization together.

8.       Capitalizing – It leverages your unique strengths and assets.

9.       Driving – It drives the bottom-line.

10.   Prioritizing – It guides where to invest and where to harvest.

If you score a perfect 10, then you are on your way to greatness.  If not, perhaps your hypothesis needs some more disciplined thought.

The Shift Points blog is designed for Fast Lane leaders who want to leave their competitors in the dust.

Shift Your Thinking … Accelerate Your Results.

Jim Collins introduced the Hedgehog Concept in his landmark book, Good to Great.

The Dashboard Group One Thing idea evolved from our work with high-growth organizations, many of whom struggled to make the Hedgehog Concept work. 

Collins developed the Hedgehog Concept for Fortune 500 companies, and described it as a “coherent concept” and a “unifying theme.”  The three circles process he proposed:  Economic Engine + Passion + Best in the World = Hedgehog Concept was largely inwardly focused.  Amazingly, Collins reported that the average company took four years to discover their Hedgehog, and it took two more years for it to produce results.

In contrast, the One Thing idea was developed for “Fast Lane Leaders” who wanted to accelerate results … and fast!  The Decide One Thing process is more externally focused, and is designed to identify your “strategic differentiation.”  This strategic differentiation is translated into a customer value proposition that can win new business and improve margins. 

The Dashboard Group then uses the One Thing as the catalyst for building a high-performance organization.  It links to the Develop One Strategy, Drive One Direction, Develop the #One Team, and Deliver Every Time processes.  And best of all, the process produces results almost immediately.

The Shift Points blog is designed for Fast Lane leaders who want to leave their competitors in the dust. 

Shift Your Thinking … Accelerate Your Results.