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Why Sacred Cows Are Bad For Business
We've all heard the infamous saying, "But we've always done it this way." This is often thought of as referring to a time-honored tradition that is so revered that no new methods can rationally be considered.
Sometimes we call these 'sacred cows'. These methods are essentially believed to be off limits to anything other than praise and adulation. These are the traditions that allow us to succeed in life and business. If there is a problem with our business it must be the result of something other than these 'sacred cows'.
For those who believe in the value of these traditions or methods there can be a feeling that anyone who dares suggest a business problem is due to following one of these practices is out of their mind. They may even utter apologies on behalf of the offender to the 'cow' of choice.
It may sound a little silly when you put it that way, but there really are practices in business that are difficult to change because they are so infused in the fabric of the entrepreneurial effort.
Every business owner needs to find a place in their business evaluation process where these sacred cows can be reviewed honestly and with a level playing field with respect to new ideas. If it is truly a superior idea you should be able to explain why? It the 'cow' is no longer superior you should be able to graciously concede the passing of an era.
The problem with these ideas is that they outlive their effectiveness on one hand and yet live on as a supreme standard to which no other idea can be compared. The overall judgment is never fair because the 'cow' is only viewed with rose-colored glasses. Change can really only come when the business owner agrees that even the best ideas can be kicked to the curb if it is no longer working for the overall benefit of the company.
There is nothing wrong with tradition, but when tradition clouds reasonable judgment it becomes a detriment to the advance of your business.
If your immediate response is to consider a business idea as untouchable it may be that this idea is the first in which you must honestly review the merit and benefit. This can be very hard, but vital in establishing a precedent of forward thinking.
The reason 'sacred cows' are so easy to honor is there is no guesswork involved. The idea has been established and if there has been even a modicum of success using the idea then it may seem rational to resist upsetting the applecart.
Many businesses rely on the, 'If it ain't broke don't fix it,' rule. The problem may be a slow business leak that gets faster with each passing day. You work around the problem, but you're still able to do business. You see there is a fear of what it will mean if you do the necessary, but difficult job of trying new ideas that may or may not be as successful as a failing 'cow' technique.
When you exist in this state you are unintentionally suggesting that your business isn't worth fighting for. Loyal customers may leave and new customers will be hard to find - all that remains are aging business bovines.
Have you reviewed your 'cows' lately?
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