If the little sprouts in the pot are to become sunflowers, they'll need lots of water. And for that you need a watering can with lots of little holes in the spout, so that the water is distributed equally to all the sprouts.

The Giesskannenprinzip - or watering can principle - is much the same thing, except instead of water, money flows through the holes. Whether you're a parent distributing a weekly allowance to all your children or a CEO planning the company budget for the coming year, sometimes it can be easier to divide up the pie - or the water - equally.

While the Giesskannenprinzip might be fair in some cases, it doesn't take into account individual needs, like your 10-year-old who's saving for a new bike or the marketing department who's planning a major new campaign. So, best to apply the Giesskannenprinzip with care.