Before Darwin, it was believed that new species arose spontaneously, but now it is more or less accepted that they arose out of adaptation of existing forms.

Adaptation depends on there being much variety among individuals of the species.

Without this variety and natural selection of those individuals best suited to the current environment, species could not adapt or evolve to meet the demands of the environment.

To satisfy both requirements you need stable hereditary building units or blocks, which can be re-assorted in an almost infinite number of ways to give variety.

In business, we need the same flexibility and adaptability offered by the genetic structure or architecture.

To accelerate the creation of diversity within your business, you need to maximise your outside influence and external contacts. Introduce, in a controlled way, ‘new’ genetic material such as ideas, experience, and knowledge.

Seek out opportunities for new business and to improve your knowledge, processes and people—your capabilities.

Business owners tend to be loners. It is in their nature to want to do it themselves. To ask for help would be a sign of failure

What can we learn from nature to help? New genes only generate new traits and capabilities. If new genes can only be produced from mistakes, what other options do we have?

You and your staff need to develop your environment SENSING capabilities.

So in business, seek outside influence, for example –

1)      Visit other companies – it takes just one good idea to makes the visit worthwhile – get out there. Your Government Small Business Service can usually arrange this.

2)      Involve your customers and prospective customers in product design – use customer surveys.

3)      Attend Industry Conference and Trade Shows

4)      Join a Benchmarking club and compare your company with other similar companies. See http://www.benchmarkindex.com

5)      Get a personal business advisor from your Government Small Business Service.

6)      Seek guidance from industry experts and business support groups.

7)      Seek out collaborations with universities and other companies

8)      Read journals not only for your own industry but for other industries--read widely

9)      Cultivate a network of contacts including key influencers for your  business area.