Have you heard other businesses — or even people at your own company — blame current problems on “the bad economy?”

Of course. But you might want to keep in mind the story of the boy who cried wolf.

Right now, the economy is being blamed for a range of ills up and down the supply chain — and not always deservedly.

Sure, there are companies that can attribute flat revenues or job force reductions to the negative impact of the economy.

But the “bad economy” excuse can begin to sound a little like “wolf” after a while, experts warn.

One reason: This all-purpose excuse can cover more realistic reasons for financial hardship.

In the case of Circuit City, for instance, poor management was much more to blame. How do you know that? Similarly placed businesses such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy have managed to weather the same storms.

Sometimes, it’s easier to cry “wolf,” or blame something else, than it is to look in the mirror and wonder what really went wrong.

Certainly, the economy is a legitimate excuse in many instances.

But its over-use as an excuse threatens credibility, for companies that make the claim and for companies that do business with those companies.

Tags: companies, economy, supply chain