Business Survival: The Law of Unintended Consequences

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Carl E. Grimes,

Chairman-CBI TEAM

The Law of Unintended Consequences (or, the Oh, crap, I didn’t mean for THAT to happen) decision.

In a small village in Borneo, well-intentioned health workers once sprayed the straw huts with the now-illegal substance, DDT. The purpose of the spraying was to control the mosquito population, thereby reducing cases of life-threatening malaria among the tribe. Little did they realize the unintended consequences they’d incur.

The spray didn’t kill just the mosquitos. It also killed the lizards that normally inhabited the thatch walls of the huts. The village cats then ate the lizards and died also. That resulted in an unrestrained influx of rats into the village.

Not only that, but the lizards’ demise left the population of straw-consuming caterpillars free to reproduce. They eventually gobbled up the straw roofs of the huts.

Almost every action has unintended consequences. Sometimes they’re harmless; other times they aren’t. But it’s important, as believers in Christ, for us to think through the consequences of our actions.

What if I told you that Not making a decision can lead to the Law of Unintended Consequences. Not taking time to plan the sale of your business can be even worse for your family when they deal with your unintended consequence.

Call us at CBI TEAM today and let’s get started. 877-582-5200