The Broken Windows Theory Applies to Business

This Economist article on the Broken Windows Theory has been making its rounds on the blogosphere. The theory goes that the small things, left unchecked, lead the way for more serious problems. In criminology, an example is not dealing with graffiti and minor infractions giving way to people committing more serious crimes. In business, an example is not dealing with little headaches or friction that impede doing a better job leading to more complacency. I’m fan of asking the “five whys” and drilling down into the core issue.