Moo Cow
I mentioned the “Moo Cow” in these are just some of my favourite tools as something that people looking at the output of that session found most puzzling. Then I go on not explaining it…
‘cow’ by Adam Hally
Which provides a perfect hook to explain how “Moo Cow” works in a meeting.
Emmanuel Gaillot reported it as a favourite tool. The context in which it applies is a meeting where someone is confused by what is said, or disagrees but doesn’t know how to put it in words yet.
The original application of “Moo Cow” requires a toy cow. If you tip the toy cow, it says “Moo”. Upon hearing the “Moo” the meeting participants will probably start to laugh, and break out of whatever they were doing, which is exactly the intention.
After the “Shu” phase with the toy cow, people reportedly started sending e-mails with a “Moo” audio file attached.
It also works, when you just say “Moo”. Especially if you haven’t introduced the “Moo Cow” technique formally before 
. I’ve used it at Agile Open, where it was very useful during the unprepared session.
Counter indications for use: Do not apply “Moo Cow” in contexts where seriousness reigns supreme. There has to be room for relevant irrelevance (aka unserious seriousness).
(I’ve also heard of the practice of cow-tipping with real cows, I’ll leave that till another time, in case anyone is interested…)
May 22nd, 2006 at 9:00 am
I love this idea! In the UK we might call it “bursting the bubble”. I can see it being used as a bullshit-ometer too….
March 5th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Perfect!!! Now I can prove to my partner that Moo!!! is a valid responce to his so-called ‘helpful’ ideas & comments.Lol! Thanks!
April 14th, 2007 at 4:07 am
moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tats sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo funny
May 9th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha……..not funni………….hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha….. wow that took ages to type…..LOL…..not funni
July 4th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Woow
Thats my nick name =]
xx
October 16th, 2007 at 1:04 am
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November 15th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Wow ! This is my nickname too ! Thats kind of creepy , THIS PICTURE IS TOTALLY AWESOME ! . MOO = <3
November 15th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
LAWL! haghaha whenever i say moo cow i think of MARY MOOO COW MAKING HER MOO JUICE!!(MILK)haahahahahaaaaaaaaaa!!this is soo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0 random but i love it lawl hahahaha
November 27th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Wow. Wow wow wow. I LOVE it!!!!!!!!! My nickname is RooMoo shortened to Moo. Mooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! I like drawing cows as well. They are so cooollll!!!!!! Big Moo to you all, xxxx.
December 19th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
i love moo.
i stared a new religion at my schoool.
moodayism.
:]
ths luvable toy cow called moo everyone now loves.
:]
i love moos and thinkits the perfet animal to use :]
MOODAYISM ROCKS! WOOOOOOOOOOH
February 28th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY =)
May 1st, 2008 at 2:13 am
Lol! i did too! (religion)
and I draw these all over my paper at school!!!! they’re even part of my signature now!
May 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Haha…This Is A Pure Classic <3
It Is Truly Immense
xxxx
June 8th, 2008 at 10:08 am
we love him!!!!!!!!!!
look how cool he looks, he’s so proud of being a cow.
he’s describing himself in one word.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Wow cool! I like Moo Cows.
December 28th, 2008 at 3:37 am
a very proud bovine indeed