We must ask ourselves the question: why do living organisms reproduce? Some would say for the survival and growth of the species from one generation to another. Yet, how many companies endure for generations?

Reproduction is the biological model for preserving and developing genetic excellence. It is the natural way to pass on 'excellence' from one generation to another. In one sense it represents building on a collective wisdom.

Living Organisations achieve a similar outcome by making sure there is fresh 'genetic' material in the gene-pool! The most straightforward way to do this is to recruit from outside the organisation. Other ways include drawing ideas and best practice from organisations in different sectors. I was encouraged recently to hear how an NHS Trust had been comparing best practice with ASDA's supermarkets.

This 'cross-pollenation' of ideas from other disciplines can have a dramatic impact on innovation. One of my favourite cases concerns a manufacturer of copper wire. They invited a marine biologist to join their think-tank. He proffered the fact that copper is extremely toxic to marine crustaceans. As a result the company developed a product that helps oil-rigs diminish the dangers caused by encrustation on the legs of the platforms. Removing encrustation is both expensive and dangerous for the divers. A copper mesh precludes the problem.

If ideas are our 'seed' for reproduction, then imagination is the energy that empowers the development of each seed. Living Organisations 'imagineer' the future - a process the Disney corporation has made famous.

How else can we ensure our best ideas and practices are perpetuated? We must put in place mechanisms that make it easy to access and recall best practice. Every business is a marketing business and we must make sure we broadcast our viability. Natural organisms do this with beautiful plumage, flowers and other visual ways of advertising their attractiveness. How does your organisation broadcast the areas in which it is blooming?

Reproduction is sometimes described a procreation. Living Organisations are pro-creativity! How does your organisation nurture creativity? It is so easy to make the working environment conducive to natural creativity. Ergonomics help the fact that the mind and the body are one system. It's difficult to be creative if your chair gives you a back-ache. Making the working environment as natural as possible will stimulate the senses. The senses are the gatekeepers of the mind. So, environmental enrichment makes sense.

How many of us realise we could be more creative if we only had time to develop our ideas? Most of us are looking forward to an active retirement where we can pursue our creative interests. Work could be much more engaging if we could all express our natural creativity way before retirement. Again, a straightforward way to begin this release is to value creativity highly and broadcast this by giving individuals and teams time out for creative exploration of where the business could go next.

All of these characteristics of a Living Organisation overlap and support one another. Reproduction is nurtured by nutrition. It must be fed. Animal populations diminish their birthrate in times of famine. If your organisation is not creative, are you feeding the creativity within it? Creative ideas need rewards and recognition.

Summary

Reproduction is creativity. Living Organisations are pro-creative and they nurture their creativity through harvesting fresh input from outside the organisation and developing the creative resources within.