Breaking Business Rules

By definition, behavior is the actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli. Behavior is both innate and learned. This is why individuals can function is a civilized society while remain unique at the same time. Learned behavior comes as a result of experience. When an individual encounters an external or internal stimulus; the innate behavior is many times trumped by learned behavior—such as following rules.

The behavior that controls whether or not we follow or break rules greatly depends on the stimuli. If the stimulus is greater than the rule, we break the rule. There are times when rules outlived their usefulness. Or it may be that the end result outweighs the need to follow a rule that stifles progress. Although the majority may frown upon rule breaking, without such behavior the business environment (and humanity) would not progress.

Recently, I read an article titled, “Breaking the Rules” by Paul Sloane, author and founder of Destination-Innovation. In this article, he describes how businesses operate with boundaries and restrictions that are self-imposed and accepted without questioning. He further describes that often it is the newcomer to an industry who can ask the question, “What would happen if we broke the rules?” Mr. Sloane gives examples of companies such as Swatch, Virgin Atlantic, and Oticon who rewrote the rules of their respected industries to gain a competitive edge over their competition. Furthermore, Sloane touches on how Picasso broke the rules on what a face should look like and how Gaudi broke the rules on what buildings should look like.

In many ways, rule breaking allows companies to stand out from the competition, and innovate products and services, and make themselves endearing. Think Apple—pun intended. However, companies need to have its share of balance. Too much rule breaking can be worse than complete obedience to the norms. Let me be clear, I am not referring to moral, ethical, or legal rules; but to business rules only. You may need to examine your own business rules to determine if such rules are slowing productivity or halting it altogether.

Michael D. Alligood
Partner Sales & Support, ExchangeDefender & Shockey Monkey
michael@ownwebnow.com
(877) 546-0316 x707