We’re all familiar with the saying: adapt, migrate, mutate or die. Charles Darwin put forth his theory of evolution in 1859 and its relevance to businesses has long been applied by academics and business experts. But, in today’s fast-paced environment, while still applicable it suggests a pace that is much slower than our reality.
Adapting, migrating and mutating takes time–sometimes a long time.
While it may not be relevant from a biological standpoint, businesses today might be well advised to follow a different piece of advice:create, co-create, collaborate or die.
The Internet has opened up worlds of opportunity for us to reach out to and work with others literally around the globe. It also demonstrates to us just how many great minds are out there, which can often be somewhat humbling; the bigger the pond, the harder it is to be the biggest fish! But rather than viewing those “other fish” as competitors, savvy business people think of them as potential collaborators. If you’re not creating great things on your own, you now have opportunities to co-create or collaborate. Or to simply give up and “die.”
Clearly some businesses have chosen (whether intentionally or through inertia). Others expand and prosper by building relationships with others. Which route are you taking?
