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? When it comes to running your own business, everyone seems to have a plan to make you successful. You can read and study and even mimic the greats but that doesn't necessarily mean you will succeed. To really rock the business world, you need both strategy and tactics that work and you need them to work effectively together. This is where many people in business fail because they miss one or both parts of this equation. A better understanding of strategy and tactics as well as how they work together will help you prepare properly for your business.

Your strategy is the plan of action you want to take to achieve success in your business. Your business tactics are the specific steps you take to achieve those goals. It is important that you know and understand the difference between the two and how they are applied to business. When it comes to your business, before you start any marketing or advertising campaign, you need to have a strategy and you need to implement that strategy into your techniques.

What is Strategy?

Your strategy is the act of creating decisions that will benefit the future outcome of your business. Strategy is the set of directions you make or your situation and position within the business community. Strategy often also refers to your timing in the marketplace and strategically choosing the most beneficial time to launch your business or your campaign.

1. Strategy is your overall goal in your business.

2. Strategy is your standing within the marketplace.

3. Strategy is your position in your niche.

What are Tactics?

Tactics should work with your strategy and they are the set of requirements need for your plan to take place. Your tactic is your device used for meeting your goals set by your strategy. Strategy and tactics should always be relative to one another because the tactics are the set of actions needed to fulfill your strategy.

1. Tactics are the tools you use to achieve your goals.

2. Tactics include things like advertising and marketing.

3. Tactics are the steps taken to achieve your goals.

Strategy vs. Tactics

To be successful in your business, you need to have a plan and a strategy. This strategy will include your goals and objectives for your business. They may be short term and long term. You will need to have a goal for where you want to be with your business in the future. Your tactics are what you will use to ensure that plan happens as it should.

If your plan is to have x amount of sales by x date, then you need to have tactics that will help you carry out that goal. You don't want to just run wildly into your business hoping that luck will be in your favor and you will succeed. You need to have a direct set of directions and plans for meeting each goal. 

Your strategy will include many goals and you will want to have a tactical plan for meeting each and every one of them. These tactics will be step-by-step directions on how to meet each business goal. With proper planning and strategy and tactics that work together, you can be a business success story.

About the Author

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