Sacred Cows

Cowgirls:

It is that time of year again: Time for New Year's Resolutions, out with the old, in with the new. Auld Lang Syne. The best time of year to go on a hunt for sacred cows in the work place!

A sacred cow is any habit, process, report, or such that saps the productivity and effectiveness out of the workplace. They are sometimes obvious, and sometimes more subtle. I know I've found a sacred cow when the response to "why do we do it this way?" is "because we always have." When that is the first explanation for anything, a pile of cow manure may be close by.

The New Year is a great time to institute a firm-wide sacred cow hunt. Ask staff to join in the fun and identify things that can save time, provide better client service, avoid common mistakes, or simply make the day easier for anyone. Beginning the year with an attitude that seeks out change is a great way to move the firm culture into a more entrepreneurial one.

For lots of ideas about finding sacred cows, get your copy of Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers by Robert Kriegel and David Brandt.

Moo.

Cynthia