Penguins and Eagles - Knowing the difference can save a lot of heartache
I did not think I would ever end up a twitcher, but it just goes to show how wrong you can be. As
much as I enjoy watching the birds in my garden each morning with my coffee and toast, these are
not the feathered creatures I am referring to. Over the years guiding businesses I have found two
species that typically enter my office seeking help.
First there is the penguin
If you think of a penguin, you get those nice warm fuzzies…
First there is the “Penguin”. If you think of a penguin you get those nice warm fuzzies of a cute,
plump critter waddling across the ice and getting lost amongst the colony. Basically, it is a fun
creature that will never fly, and that is exactly how I would sum up its business prospects. A penguin
business is often the result of someone’s passion or hobby but has little prospect of ever being
financially viable as a source of income. Its costs are often overweight, and it lumbers slowly from
point to point, following the flock. It has a major risk of being lost in the colony or, worse still, eaten
by a hungry sealion.
After patiently listening to a new client excitedly describe their penguin business to me, I feel like
that murderous sealion when I gently explain my diagnosis of the lost cause. Perhaps surprisingly,
most clients appreciate being given this view as it saves them wasting time on a likely failure. One
client once told me “I know it’s a penguin, but I just needed someone else to confirm it … Thanks!”.
The approach of “failing fast” to move onto a better prospect is a key mindset to embrace.
The Eagle
An eagle is sleek and aggressive, soaring above the crowd and hunting from a clear vantage point..
The other feathered beast I often encounter is the “Eagle”. An eagle is sleek and aggressive, soaring
above the crowd and hunting from a clear vantage point. Its beautiful, sleek elegance make an eagle
business highly likely to adapt to extreme environments with speed and success. Eagle businesses
are very exciting to be involved with, especially if I get engaged in the early stages. The eagle
business owner often needs little pushing to act; often the challenge is to hold them back to an
appropriate pace to rollout in a controlled manner - taming the raw aggression and desire to hunt.
They need a guide to help traverse the landscape but ultimately know their destination.
Seeing an eagle business take off is always exciting and a huge rush. I feel privileged to be part of
their journey.
So, an obvious question is whether a penguin can ever be turned into an eagle? The answer depends
upon how quickly they can move on from their penguin idea to focus on a new initiative. Eagles do
not dwell. I think most eagles have it engraved in their DNA, but a penguin can be converted if they
choose to put experienced support and guidance in place.
Similarly, an eagle can easily put on weight and lose its ability to fly if it becomes too complacent. If
it becomes distracted, taking its eye off the prey, it too can go hungry. Having an objective reviewer
and guide can make a significant difference to a business’ ongoing health and wellbeing.
Finally, remember (sea) eagles eat penguins!