INTHEBLACK July/August 2023 - Magazine - Page 58
WORK SMART
The term “business as usual”, or BAU,
encompasses the routine functions that
are essential to the smooth running of
any organisation. Too much focus on this
aspect of operations, however, risks
deprioritising innovation and creativity.
Words Alexandra Cain
58 INTHEBLACK July/August 2023
It may sound impossibly modern, but the
term “business as usual” was coined during
the industrialisation era of the 1800s. It was
first used by retailers who would hang a
sign on their door to indicate that regular
trading had resumed after a disruption.
Two centuries later, in the corporate world,
BAU seems to have taken a turn towards
the passive aggressive, akin to “nothing to
see here”.
Business adviser Jade Green says the
term “BAU” could inadvertently promote
mediocrity “by suggesting everything is
okay just the way it is”.
“It downplays chaos and neglects team
members’ psychological safety,” Green says.
“By pushing people to ‘soldier on’ and do
what needs to be done, we risk burning them
out and compromising their mental health.
