If I had a pound for every time I came across a business owner explaining that such and such – usually something that looks out of place in their business - is there as a historical accident I could probably retire.

 Here are some:

• A new product or service you are not really geared up for that you started to do so as to please a large client – for example buying media if you are really a design agency.

• A band of clients that you can’t service profitably, but that you stick with because they keep someone in your company busy.

• A department (or job title, or directorship) created just to keep someone happy.

• A department that used to do something that earned you money that stays in place long after technology or the market passed it by – for example a traffic department doing work that account handlers can do.

You may have one or more accidents of history in your business and if you do, why should you be worried?

Historical accidents make your business inefficient and uncompetitive. They use up cash and destroy your profits. If you lie awake at night worrying about the business then maybe you should start to deal with these long neglected issues.

Do you have any historical accidents alive and kicking in your business and why do you sustain them?