Nature has no grand plan, no long-term plan, no vision statement, no foresight, no mission statement, no manifesto, and no long-term objectives.

Yet, in nature, complex, powerful, elegant, awe-inspiring, incredibly capable organisms and species have evolved, thrived, and survived for millions of years. This has been achieved through an incredibly simple process of natural selection or the 'survival of the fittest', first detailed by Darwin in the 19th century, now confirmed by the science of genetics.

In business, we are encouraged to have strategies, vision and mission statements, and objectives to ensure our success and survival, but the success of business as a whole is still questionable, with few companies really thriving over substantial periods-of-time. Major issues continually present themselves, for example, competing with the ever-increasing number of conglomerates, recruiting and retaining appropriate staff, new and recurring old diseases, and rapidly changing technology.

We need a better way of coping, a simple process that is robust and proven - not the latest management fad. Could we use this model from nature, the principles of natural selection and genetics? The answer, I believe, is yes.

In nature, it is the environment - competition for food, shelter, mates, the prevalence of disease, and predation, that dictates who is the fittest. The fittest displaces the less fit in the population. What determines your success and survival chances in the ever-changing environment - is the genetic make up of you and your team.

Your genes determine your traits or features and capabilities.

The greater the diversity of genes you have, the better your survival and success chances. You need to enrich your 'Gene Pool'. In business, genes can be thought of as, not just the traits and capabilities of you and your staff, but your procedures, knowledge, and experience.

Nature or evolution tells us there are several simple ways of building up and diversifying your gene pool. Here are the four principles that you can apply:

1. Cumulatively build on the best you have one small step at a time. Make many small changes rather than one or a few big traumatic changes.

2. Nourish, train and develop the genes you have to fully develop their potential.

3. Carefully, introduce new genes, new blood from outside. Out-breeding - a well-established practice in animal husbandry.

4. Learn from your and other people's mistakes and good fortunes. In nature, surprisingly, organisms only truly make transformations through rare errors occurring in gene replication - mutations. Most mutations are bad and cause diseases, but some are good and lie dormant for years until they are called in to play to help compete in the environment.

The most important and key factor in transforming your organisation is outside influence - the last two points above. So here are a few ideas to get you started:

a) Visit and learn from other companies, not just in your own industry.

b) Attend and network at external meetings and training courses.

c) Seek and action appropriate external help from respected knowledgeable industry experts.

d) Carefully hire people with different backgrounds and experience.

e) Lastly, but not least, involve your staff in all these actions; make the most of their genes.

You need to become a genetic leader or manager to grow a resilient, sustainable and thriving business using nature's secrets! A Great Business. Start today, just do it one small step at a time!