The evolution of business | Amanda Joy Ravenhill | TEDxTokyo 2014

Summary

This script explores the concept of 'survival of the fitness' within ecosystems, drawing parallels to the evolution of social enterprises. It highlights Suzanne Simard's research on plant communication through mycorrhizal networks, suggesting a model of mutualism and interdependence that businesses should emulate. Social enterprises are presented as innovative solutions to environmental and social issues, combining social missions with commercial activities, and are exemplified by various global initiatives. The speaker advocates for a shift in business paradigms towards a model that fosters life and commerce, inspired by nature's principles.

Takeaways

• 🌿 **Evolution and Ecosystems**: Darwin's theory of evolution is often misunderstood; it's not about the survival of the fittest but the survival of the fitness within an ecosystem that determines a species' success.
• 🌳 **Plant Communication**: Suzanne Simard's research shows plants communicate and share resources through a mycorrhizal network, illustrating a symbiotic relationship with fungi.
• 🔬 **Mutualism in Nature**: The concept of mutualism, where both parties benefit from a symbiotic relationship, is highlighted as a key principle in nature's design.
• 💡 **Inspiration from Nature**: Biomimicry, drawing inspiration from nature for design, is a source of innovation and is central to the speaker's work as a social entrepreneur.
• 🏢 **Social Enterprise Defined**: Social enterprises are defined by a social or environmental mission and the inclusion of commercial activity, aiming to create both social and financial value.
• 🌐 **Global Impact**: Social enterprises are effective at solving environmental and social problems, often being more resourceful, innovative, and sustainable than traditional entities.
• 🤝 **Ecosystem Approach**: Social enterprises often adopt an ecosystem approach, partnering with various stakeholders to create shared value, akin to the mutualism seen in nature.
• 🌍 **Urgent Global Challenges**: The script highlights the dire environmental and social challenges we face, such as coral reef bleaching and climate refugees, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
• 🐣 **Humanity's Potential**: Drawing on Buckminster Fuller's analogy, humanity is at a pivotal moment, ready to stand on its own and learn to 'fly', signifying our potential for positive change.
• 🔄 **Business Models for Change**: The speaker outlines three business models for social enterprises: integrated, external, and embedded, each contributing to social impact in different ways.
• 🌱 **Rethinking Commerce**: The script calls for a shift in the current model of business, advocating for commerce that creates conditions conducive to its own sustainability, reflecting life's design principles.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about Darwin's theory of evolution?

The common misconception is that Darwin said 'Evolution is determined by the survival of the fittest.' However, Darwin actually observed that it is the survival of the fitness within one's ecosystem that determines a species' success.

What is a mycorrhiza and how does it relate to the 'wood wide web'?

A mycorrhiza is a symbiosis formed between plant roots and fungi, where both organisms benefit. The 'wood wide web' is a term used by Suzanne Simard to describe how trees communicate and share resources, such as carbon, water, and warning signals, through this mycorrhizal network.

How did Suzanne Simard and her colleagues track the movement of carbon in trees?

They exposed a tree to a rare form of carbon, C13 and C14, in the form of CO2. The tree absorbed this carbon through photosynthesis, and they were able to track how it moved through the tree and the mycorrhizal network, even reaching other trees and species as amino acids.

What is the concept of 'mutualism' in the context of plant-fungi symbiosis?

Mutualism is a type of symbiosis where both the organisms involved benefit from the relationship. In the context of plant-fungi symbiosis, mutualism refers to the beneficial relationship between plants and fungi in a mycorrhizal network.

What is the definition of a social enterprise?

A social enterprise is defined by its primary social or environmental mission and its engagement in some form of commercial activity. It aims to create social value while also generating financial value.

How are social enterprises different from traditional businesses, nonprofits, and governments in solving problems?

Social enterprises are more resourceful and efficient than governments, more innovative and collaborative than businesses, and more financially sustainable than nonprofits. They often take an ecosystem approach, partnering with various organizations to create shared value.

What is an example of a social enterprise that supports local women entrepreneurs?

Zidisha in Kenya is a microfinance organization that supports local women entrepreneurs to start their own social enterprises.

What is the concept of 'integrated social enterprises' and an example of it?

Integrated social enterprises are businesses where making sense (social impact) and making cents (financial gain) activities overlap. An example is Project Drawdown, which scouts the world for climate solutions and compiles this information into a book to sell, along with other programs, all aimed at creating a better narrative around climate change.

What is the goal of Hero Hatchery and how does it fund its activities?

Hero Hatchery is a crowdfunded climate activist fellowship with the goal of creating influential climate activists. It funds its program by selling a low-fee crowdfunding service.

What is the 'embedded social enterprise' business model and an example of it?

The embedded social enterprise model is where the social mission and financial activities are one and the same. An example is New Leaf Paper, which aims to halt deforestation by increasing recycled paper content, with every sale furthering its mission and increasing its positive social impact.

Why is the current model of business described as 'stealing the future'?

The current model of business is described this way because it depletes natural capital and calls it income, causing environmental disruptions and extinctions. It's seen as selling the Earth's future resources to the present, which is unsustainable and harmful.

What is the vision for the future of commerce according to the speaker?

The speaker envisions a future where all businesses are social enterprises, creating conditions conducive to both life and commerce, reflecting life's design principles and rebuilding systems of commerce to be sustainable and beneficial over time.