How can biomimicry principles improve your business strategy?

Resilience. Engineering resilience is based on trying to resist perturbations and return to a steady state, whereas ecological resilience teaches us the ways natural systems semi-autonomously adapt through feedback loops, constant reorganizing, and fitting form to flows and function. Ants, which have no top-down management are one of the more resilient groups through multiple communication strategies. A forest shares information and resources through mycelium to competing trees recognizing that diversity is a key to resilience. These metaphors (and others) can be valuable in corporate resilience.

Imagine borrowing ideas from nature, a concept known as biomimicry that can actually level up your business strategy. It's like taking a page out of nature's playbook to solve human problems. Nature has been evolving and fine-tuning solutions for millions of years, so why not tap into that wisdom? Companies are increasingly using biomimicry to design products, processes, and systems that are not just eco-friendly but also efficient and innovative. It's like collaborating with Mother Nature to create sustainable and successful business practices. So, next time you're brainstorming strategies, maybe take a cue from the world outside your office window!

Incorporar la biomímesis al propósito de una compañía, producto o servicio, asegura su vigencia y posicionamiento en el tiempo ya que, implementando las tecnologías correctas, lograrán mayor competitividad a nivel local e internacional. Por ejemplo, si tomo como propósito "cañamizar las industrias", es decir incorporar derivados del cáñamo a diversas cadenas productivas, me aseguro la descarbonización de estas, logrando mayores eficiencias económicas, ambientales y sociales.

The core of biomimicry aligns with designing products and services that fulfill a clear purpose while optimizing resource use, mirroring nature's efficiency. This principle can revolutionize business strategies by encouraging the creation of solutions that are not only innovative but sustainable and efficient. Inspired by natural processes, businesses can develop products that address real-world problems in an eco-friendly manner, leading to both environmental and economic benefits. This approach is essential for businesses aiming to stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Translate! Translate the function of your business without explicit labels. Are you modifying? Maintaining? Processing? Storing? Making? Protecting? That's your purpose. And, now find the strategies that nature employs to carry out a similar function. Oh! Why not make it multifunctional? Just like nature does🐝 Utilize tools like the Biomimicry Taxonomy to identify and align your purpose

La historia y gran parte de la teoría económica han demostrado que la innovación es el gran generador de valor agregado, es el motor de la economía. Si a esto le añadimos los principios de la biomímesis, vamos a lograr productos y servicios de avanzada que serán competitivos por las próximas décadas.

An example of innovation with diversity is how Da Vinci applied biomimicry to the study of birds to establish aerodynamics. Diversified efforts were made to sketch the schemas of flying machine based on the skeleton and anatomy structure of birds. In modern day those schemas turned up as aeroplane. The same philosophy we can deploy in our business, learn from the nature and society rather than building up few tech diagrams.

Incorporating diversity into business innovation means embracing varied perspectives and experiences. This approach enriches problem-solving and creativity, as diverse teams bring a wealth of ideas and viewpoints. Emphasizing diversity in your innovation process can lead to more inclusive, user-friendly, and globally relevant products and services. It also fosters an environment of learning and adaptability, crucial for staying ahead in a fast-changing market. In essence, leveraging diversity is not just about social responsibility, but also a strategic imperative for sustainable business growth.

Embracing the 'innovate with diversity' principle from biomimicry mirrors nature's genius in fostering resilience and creativity. In business, diversity isn't just about individuals; it's about weaving a tapestry of varied perspectives, ideas, and collaborations. Like the vibrant coral reefs, a diverse business ecosystem thrives on the exchange of insights and resources. By encouraging inclusivity and interdisciplinary collaboration, we can emulate nature's capacity to adapt and innovate. Biomimicry becomes our guide, inspiring us to explore solutions from diverse sources, just as nature addresses challenges through a myriad of approaches. Let's unlock the potential of innovation through the power of diversity!

Integrar principios de biomimesis en la estrategia empresarial puede potenciar la innovación, especialmente al abrazar la diversidad. La naturaleza nos enseña que la diversidad fortalece los ecosistemas, y lo mismo se aplica a las empresas. Al fomentar la diversidad de pensamiento y experiencia en equipos, se generan ideas frescas y soluciones creativas. La biomimesis nos insta a observar cómo la naturaleza gestiona la diversidad para prosperar, recordándonos que en los negocios, la inclusión y la variedad de perspectivas son fundamentales para la resiliencia y el crecimiento sostenible.

A la hora de diseñar un modelo de negocio, es fundamental aplicar el principio de la biomímesis de sinergizar con el entorno. En términos industriales, ese ecosistema es conocido como "cluster". El desarrollo de cluster regionales donde se involucran distintos agentes de la cadena de valor de una industria específica, permite lograr eficiencias aprovechando la complementariedad de sus integrantes. Se podría tomar como ejemplo la introducción de los biomateriales derivados del cáñamo, que pueden ingresar en las cadenas productivas textiles, de la construcción, biocompuestos, packaging de celulosa, autopartes, bioetanol 2G, entre otras, descarbonizando cada una de ellas.

Collaboration with synergy in business involves uniting diverse skills and perspectives to create a unified, efficient team. It's about harnessing the strengths of each member to enhance overall productivity and innovation. By fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect, team members can effectively collaborate, share ideas, and solve problems more creatively and efficiently. This approach not only accelerates project completion but also leads to higher quality outcomes, as the collective intelligence of the group is greater than the sum of individual efforts. This synergy is key to driving successful, sustainable business strategies.

Feedback loops have proven to be one of the most important strategies for my success as an artist and researcher. Creating prototypes with paper and cardboard has become an invaluable step in my design process, allowing me to think through the shapes and forms that I can incorporate into a finished piece. On the research side, testing ideas via iterative feedback loops with other humans and with AIs like ChatGPT has allowed me to quickly work through various options and avoid dead ends or missteps before choosing which direction to pursue and where to invest more time/money/energy.

An often overlooked aspect is that collaborating with synergy, as inspired by biomimicry principles, not only fosters strong stakeholder relationships but also drives holistic optimization within the business ecosystem. In a real-world scenario, a manufacturing company applied the collaborative synergy concept from nature to strengthen its supply chain relationships. By aligning goals with suppliers and fostering mutual benefits, the company enhanced resource efficiency, reduced waste, and improved overall supply chain resilience. This collaborative approach not only led to cost savings but also fortified the company's position in the market through sustainable and resilient practices.

Al aplicar los principios de la biomimesis en estrategia empresarial, la colaboración se convierte en un acto de sinergia. Observamos en la naturaleza cómo distintas especies trabajan juntas para lograr objetivos comunes. De manera similar, en los negocios, la sinergia entre equipos y departamentos fortalece la eficiencia y la capacidad de adaptación. Al impulsar una colaboración armoniosa, inspirada en la naturaleza, las empresas pueden alcanzar niveles de rendimiento que van más allá de las capacidades individuales, aprovechando la fuerza colectiva para prosperar en un entorno empresarial dinámico.

This reminds me of when a team of researchers from Japan and the U.K. experimented on slime mold, where it moved towards nutrients in a pattern that resembles the Tokyo subway system. It went towards the goal (nutrients) on the most efficient route. This highlights why efficient systems are at the core of every resilient business - it's a principle that exists both in business and nature. Like how the slime molds go through the most efficient routes toward nutrients, businesses should be the same in their decisions. By being true to their mission and vision, companies can be safe even during difficult times Also, we couldn't have gone to this conclusion if not for the efforts done in research. Every resiliency plan is built on it.

Adapting with resilience in business strategy is about embracing change and challenges as opportunities for growth. It involves developing a flexible approach to problem-solving and decision-making, enabling the business to respond effectively to evolving market dynamics and unexpected situations. By fostering a resilient mindset, companies can recover from setbacks more quickly, pivot when necessary, and capitalize on new opportunities. This approach ensures long-term sustainability and success by preparing the organization to handle adversity and thrive in a constantly changing business environment.

La biomimesis ofrece lecciones valiosas para la estrategia empresarial, especialmente en la adaptación con resiliencia. La naturaleza se enfrenta a cambios constantes y evoluciona para sobrevivir. De manera análoga, las empresas deben abrazar la resiliencia, ajustándose ágilmente a entornos cambiantes. Observar cómo la naturaleza se adapta a los desafíos proporciona ideas para estrategias que permitan a las empresas resistir perturbaciones y, al mismo tiempo, florecer en medio de la adversidad. La resiliencia, inspirada en la naturaleza, se convierte en un activo estratégico para enfrentar los desafíos empresariales.

A evolução natural das espécies tem muito mais relação com a “sorte” do que ao protagonismo. O aprendizado que tenho da natureza é que se você esperar a adaptação pode ser tarde. Empresas precisam antecipar mudanças e serem proficientes nesse quesito com a ameaça de serem extintas. O comportamento “normal” é resistir à mudança e não antecipar. Logo, negócios devem estar sempre buscando sobreviver (sustentação) e mudar (inovação) de forma simultânea.

Resilience is all about being able to cope in unexpected or difficult circumstances. It’s the ability to persevere in the face of challenges, overcoming barriers and bouncing back after setbacks. It also involves learning from those setbacks, to help you better deal with them next time.

Nature makes mistakes. Many! All the time! It's the core principle that allows for evolution. Throughout all the above contributions, and just generally in business perspectives, way too much emphasis is made on "efficiency". Nature, most of the time, isn't efficient at all. For example, the reason why starfish and worms are so resilient (i.e. they can regrow when cut in half) is because it has many duplications of their "operating system." Simplicity in nature isn't design that is simple/efficient; on the contrary, nature actually uses very intricate and sophisticated ways to build things from the bottom up. What's simple about it, is that it uses only a handful of chemical elements. Hence, it's simple to reuse once it isn't needed.

Realising that there are no principles of biomimicry, nor that we have unifying laws in nature. We delve into more detail and not just isolate a function. We should also not anthropomorphize the natural world and take a scientific approach to understanding, where we can what is happening. The message is not to generalise about the natural world and explore in detail evolutionary biology and ecology so we understand how the system works, whether that system is within an organism or up to the ecosystem level. Nature is a series of phenomena as part of a large system of interactions without any individuality. Generalising such complex diversity of life into neat little principles is misleading and belittles the scientific community.

1.Efficiency through Simplicity: Biomimicry teaches us that simplicity in design often leads to efficiency. In business, streamlining processes and focusing on essential elements can enhance overall effectiveness, just as nature excels in simplicity to achieve optimal functionality. Let's simplify to amplify 2. Circular Economy Inspired by Nature: Nature operates in cycles, waste becomes a resource. Embracing a circular economy in business, where materials are reused and recycled, aligns with nature's sustainable practices. 3. Adaptive Leadership: Nature's leaders adapt to changing environments. In business, adopting an adaptive leadership style allows for flexibility and innovation.

Al aplicar los principios de la biomimicry en estrategia empresarial, es esencial tener en cuenta la interconexión entre sistemas y la diversidad funcional. La naturaleza opera en redes complejas y diversificadas, lo cual debería reflejarse en las estrategias empresariales. Valorar la colaboración, la adaptabilidad y la sinergia dentro de la empresa, basándose en la riqueza de la naturaleza, puede llevar a un enfoque más sostenible y resiliente. Al reconocer la sabiduría intrínseca de la naturaleza, las empresas pueden encontrar inspiración para crear estrategias robustas y adaptativas.

La Estrategia Empresarial se puede apalancar en la Biomimesis, ya que a partir de allí puede extraer, comportamientos, diseños, formas, funcionalidades y formas de interacción, entre otros, con los cuales se pueden desarrollar procesos regenerativos y productos circulares en los que se aprovechen de manera ecoefectiva los recursos. Esto sin duda corresponde a una herramienta para incorporar la Sostenibilidad y la Circularidad en el negocio y hacerlo a partir de la inspiración en la Naturaleza.