#490 preserved

I was astonished to learn that the U.S. maintains a huge repository of livestock sperm so in case of emergency, disease or a spate of poor genetic breeding the livestock could be replenished.  And we're serious about this -- preserved in liquid nitrogen are over 400,000 samples of bull semen, four thousand chicken sperm and genes from thousands of fish.  

If you stop to think about it -- which I'll admit I never did until I read the Fortune article -- it is a very smart move.  We take bulls, chicken and fish for granted but there could be huge ramifications if they were wiped out. In addition to serving as a buffer against disaster, the National Animal Germplasm Program also conducts research and facilitates appropriate insemination procedures.

Think about what is treasured and irreplaceable in your organization.  Of course data comes to mind: Coca Cola legendary for the lengths they have taken to guard the secret recipe.  But what beyond simple information is your most valuable contribution?  What should you encase in the vault to protect and provide backup should tragedy strike? Perhaps you should get yourself the equivalent of liquid nitrogen and take steps now to do so while you are able.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Source:  The Big Bull Backup by Anne VanderMey, Fortune, October 7, 2013