Edge-of-Heartland Businesses.
For some businesses, making clear judgments is difficult. Some parenting characteristics fit; others do not. We call those businesses, such as the retail business in the food-company example, edge of heartland. The parent’s skills in staff scheduling, brand management, and lean organizational structures appear to add value to the business. However, the added value is partly offset by critical success factors that fit less well with the parent. For example, the retail business requires skills in site selection and property development that are different from those required for the restaurants. The parent’s influence in those areas is probably negative. With edge-of-heartland businesses, the parent both creates and destroys value. The net contribution is not clear-cut. Such businesses are likely to consume much of the parent’s attention, as it tries to clarify its judgments about them and, if possible, transform them into heartland businesses.