I’m realizing that I have a thing against “best practices”. That phrase evokes a definite feeling of ick.
“Best practices” are to business as Ritalin is to a hyper kid. The supposed cure-all, the “magic pill”.
I’m all for borrowing and sharing great ideas, but somehow “best practices” evokes a sense of thoughtless application of one person’s or company’s success to your situation. It also seems to be an excuse sometimes for not taking risks and trying something totally new – everyone just wants to know what the “best practice” is.
I’ve discovered I’m not alone in my thinking. Check out Jeff Brooks’ post on his Donor Power blog:
“Best practices” — not always the best practice
This Harvard Business Review article also captures a similar point:
Are “Great” Companies Just Lucky?
