Happy Year of the Sheep! It’s Chinese New Year, and this year celebrates a species often equated with followers. In reality, though, sheep are among the smartest social business experts of the animal kingdom. These ovine inspirations offer five social business lessons for humans. 1. Sheep are experts at sharing knowledge. Sheep are highly social animals, preferring to travel and graze in flocks. Being in constant contact lets them communicate effortlessly and spread news of an approaching wolf or looming cliff, or just a patch of tasty grass. 2. Sheep are masters of teamwork Sheep thrive on collaboration. The best way for a flock to stay safe and happy is for all its members to head in the same direction together. It’s how they thrive. 3. Being a sheep doesn’t mean being a follower. Just because you’re part of a team doesn’t mean you can’t lead. For sheep, it just takes a turn here and a nudge there for one animal to steer the entire flock. Like any good teammate, a sheep is sometimes a follower and sometimes a leader. 4. Sheep think outside the box Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated. They figured out (not by choice, of course) that if they provided humans with a little wool, humans would take care of them. That was a smart insight, and a big step in evolution. 5. There’s nothing wrong with being the black sheep Being good at social business means being part of the team. But there’s also no reason you can’t stand out or break from the crowd. Your opinion matters even if—often, especially if—it goes against conventional wisdom. This year, don’t be a follower. Be a sheep. Do social business better at ibm.com/socialbusiness

1. Happy Year of the Sheep!
It’s Chinese New Year, and this year celebrates a species often
equated with followers. In reality, though, sheep are among the
smartest social business experts of the animal kingdom.
These ovine inspirations offer five social
business lessons for humans.

2. Sheep are highly social animals, preferring to travel and graze in
flocks. Being in constant contact lets them communicate
effortlessly and spread news of an approaching wolf or
looming cliff, or just a patch of tasty grass.
1. Sheep are experts at sharing knowledge.

3. Sheep thrive on collaboration. The best way for a flock to
stay safe and happy is for all its members to head in the
same direction together. It’s how they thrive.
2. Sheep are masters of teamwork.

4. Just because you’re part of a team doesn’t mean you can’t lead.
For sheep, it just takes a turn here and a nudge there for one
animal to steer the entire flock. Like any good teammate,
a sheep is sometimes a follower and sometimes a leader.
3. Being a sheep doesn’t mean being a follower.

5. Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated.
They figured out (not by choice, of course) that if they
provided humans with a little wool, humans would take care
of them. That was a smart insight, and a big step in evolution.
4. Sheep think outside the box.

6. Being good at social business means being part of the team.
But there’s also no reason you can’t stand out or break
from the crowd. Your opinion matters even if—often,
especially if—it goes against conventional wisdom.
5. There’s nothing wrong with
being the black sheep.

7. This year, don’t be a follower.
Be a sheep.
Do social business better at
ibm.com/socialbusiness