What Leaf Insects Teach Us About Business

How to improve business decisions by 10x with using the simple trial & error method?

Leaf insects have existed for 47 million years (Zyga, 2007). They gradually evolved the camouflage feature as a defensive mechanism against predators. How did nature do this creative endeavour? The answer is trial and error (AKA Natural Selection). Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution. Organisms more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes that aided their success. This process causes species to change and diverge over time (Osterloff, 2023).

Early ancestors of leaf insects reproduced offspring in large numbers, and some developed gene alterations by sheer luck (AKA mutation). These genetic alterations came with unique physical features such as green colour or leaf-like look. Some of these alterations were favourable to the survival of the altered species. For example, leaf-like offspring tended to avoid the eyes of predators by having a low contrast with their living environment. Leaf-like offspring tended to survive and reproduce. Over time, more and more of these insects became green and could not be distinguished from the leaves by predators. They have passed the test of time. Any successful business functions the same. Ideas are produced, reproduced and the best of them survive.

Apply these 3 steps in your business, and you will become unbeatable, just like Mother Nature:

Production & Reproduction

The first step is to produce and reproduce various ideas and put them to the test. For example, if you run an advertisement campaign, create ten different ads with different features. If you are an author, generate 10 different drafts. If you are a start-up founder, try out 10 different pitches. If you are still trying to figure out your passion, try 10 different jobs or hobbies. If you are trying to make money, try 10 different ideas.

Mutation & Variation

Now it is time to test your ideas in the real world and measure the feedback. Eradicate the weak. Choose the advertisement species that is bringing the most sales to your business. Choose the draft that is bringing in the most attention. Choose the pitch that lights up the highest number of eyes. Choose the hobby that is bringing you the most joy. And pick the idea that is making you the most money.

Survival & Adaptation

By this stage, you could be in the process of creating the next captivating ad, the next Harry Potter, the next Apple, or the next leaf insect, if you will. Now, you let the species you created stand the test of time. It is not the end of the process yet. Your best idea should always be productive and continue living. Apple, for example, is not as innovative as it was during the "iPhone days," but it is surviving well by diversifying its line of products. The company has not produced any new species, but we can still see its DNA in many products we interact with daily.

Innovation and wealth creation are spontaneous. If there were a guideline for invention, everything would have been invented by now. If there were a guideline to start a successful business, every business would be successful. Humanity is advancing by those who are taking the risk of "being wrong" and trying numerous times. It is said that Edison tried more than 6,000 materials before finding a suitable filament material, Twitter began as a podcasting platform, and YouTube started as a video dating app. Next time you wonder whether your next move is right or wrong, remember there is no dividing line between right and wrong as long as you are trying multiple routes and learning from them. Produce multiple variations, eradicate the worst, and let the best survive and reproduce.

Citations

Zyga, Lisa. (2007, February 8). Scientists discover first fossil of a leaf insect. Phys.org. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://phys.org/news/2007-02-scientists-fossil-leaf-insect.html

Osterloff, E. (n.d.). What is natural selection? Natural History Museum. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-natural-selection.html