HOW TO LEVERAGE CUES FROM SYMBIOSIS IN NATURE TO NAVIGATE MODERN ECOSYSTEMS

Symbiosis: It's not always a zero-sum game, after all!

Charles Darwin’s 1859 theory of evolution through natural selection is often explained simply as survival of the fittest. Darwin’s premise was that within each population, traits vary. Creatures with qualities that enable them to adapt to their environments survive and produce offspring with those traits. Those with less adaptive traits do not survive to pass on their genetic code. Over time, characteristics that allow a species to thrive and reproduce become more common, and the population evolves accordingly.

Natural selection is not necessarily about competition but often includes cooperation and coexistence. Perhaps the past 18 months are testimony to the theory that humans thrive on support and collaboration. COVID-19 brought people, organizations, and governments together.

Symbiosis (Greek for living together) is an ecosystem process based on relationships between organisms in nature. And, mutualism ? a symbiotic sub-type ? enables participating entities to exist harmoniously and efficiently help each other.

In business, a mutualistic connection can be a partnership in which each participant contributes and receives value from the other. A fundamental evolutionary concept, the strategy cooperatively creates value that would be impossible to produce unilaterally. Moreover, this perfect symbiosis occurs at no expense to either partner. For example, consider the bird that enjoys a hearty meal atop an elephant’s back, dining on the pachyderm’s irritating parasites. Similarly, businesses can achieve objectives by collaborating and participating in win-win networks.

Symbiotic relationships can help businesses boost profits and establish market dominance[1]

Integrated value – Created value does not directly benefit the parties involved. Instead, it improves the overall ecosystem.

• Nature: The relationship between Frankia alni bacterium and the Alder tree illustrates integrated value-based symbiosis. The bacterium that lives on the Alder roots absorbs atmospheric nitrogen and releases it into the soil, enriching it. The nutritious soil benefits the tree and the surroundings and feeds the bacteria with sugar during photosynthesis.[2]
• Business: In 2012, Walmart sought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its supply chain and discovered that suppliers could not procure recycled plastic for packaging. Meanwhile, 45% of the US population dumped mixed trash in landfills versus recycling because many municipalities had no funds to invest in recycling initiatives. Then, in 2013, Walmart formed a coalition with NGOs, recyclers, city managers, finance experts, and even competitors to address the challenge, work to recycle waste, and procure recycled plastic for packaging.[3]

Crowd-sourcing ? In this arrangement, work is fueled by a single entity, while both parties reap benefits.

• Nature: Plants and bees have a beautiful relationship based on pollination that enables flower reproduction. The plant’s flowers provide bees with nectar (a mixture of water and sugars), and the bees’ body hairs attract pollen grains through electrostatic forces. Many plants require this kind of pollen distribution to produce viable seeds.
• Business: I can draw a parallel between nature’s pollination and the corporate practice of seeking stakeholder input for innovation. Unilever’s Open Innovation Platform is an example. The consumer packaged goods giant actively solicits ideas from customers, startups, academicians, and even competitors to solve challenges and upgrade consumer products. Unilever offers professional recognition and commercial contracts for successful adaptations while shoppers get superior products that meet their specifications. Meanwhile, London-based Unilever benefits from novel innovations, insight into targeted demographic segments, and positive brand recognition.[4]

Platform synergies ? A single platform drives benefits for two or more parties while also gaining an advantage.

• Nature: Coral reefs are a fascinating ecosystem, and multiple organisms coexist together for the efficient maintenance of the system. Coral and sea sponges compete for sea resources, but unlike other competing species, they harmoniously share the available food for the longevity of the reef.
• Business: The presence of Starbucks in Barnes & Noble booksellers since 1993 offers an example of platform-based synergies. The relationship provides book shoppers the added benefit of enjoying coffee or a treat while browsing bestsellers.

Mutualism – As with the elephant and the bird, this relationship involves two or more alliances that generate equal advantage by working on a common goal or activities of mutual interest.

• Nature: Lichen is a composite organism created when algae and fungi come together, exist in peace, and benefit each other. Algae is photosynthetic and produces carbohydrates and vitamins that the fungi absorb. The fungi reciprocate by soaking up water from the air and offering light-intolerant algae a shaded breeding ground.[5]
• Business: Two contemporary organizations, Uber and Spotify , teamed up to benefit from each other’s offerings. The partnership enables Uber rideshare customers to connect to their Spotify account and stream their favorite music while en route to their destination. Uber offers customers a personal and convenient experience and gains a competitive advantage. Both companies bolster their reach and brand awareness.[6]

Organizations can use the following steps to leverage symbiotic relationships both internally and externally to thrive in the post-pandemic new normal

Constantly review the changing ecosystem: Keep note of the volatile and ever-changing ecosystem to identify partnership opportunities that offer a competitive advantage. For instance, join hands with startups and smaller players working in niche fields to leverage their specialized capabilities while sharing corporate resources can spark a fresh-thinking sandbox atmosphere.

Build a collaborative mindset within the organizational culture: Developing a symbiotic relationship with the employees is as vital as forming strategic partnerships with other organizations. Enable decision-making among all employee groups and consider their input to encourage a free flow of ideas and an atmosphere that supports a dedicated and loyal workforce. On top of that, the organization generates innovation at all levels.

Set clear goals when initiating an inter-organizational partnership: A clear strategy helps identify best-fit partners with clearly demarcated responsibilities to achieve the synergistic goals.

Select external partners strategically: Thoughtfully choose a collaborative partner. With numerous opportunities available, carefully look for synergies and similar dynamics to create a symbiotic balance that leverages all participants’ expertise.

In conclusion, symbiotic relationships between groups and organizations depend more on ongoing relationships than friendships. A parallel can be drawn to the Prisoner’s Dilemma framework, where a lack of coordination and trust can cause loss. Companies that opt for a dominant partnership strategy that leads to defection can spur sub-optimal results[7] . Instead, organizations that balance cooperation and competition can reap mutual benefits and reach the Nash Equilibrium. And, yes, groups can be selfish and cooperate at the same time. In fact, this balance can make the symbiotic relationship stronger and sustainable. By dropping the lens of paranoia, symbiosis beats a zero-sum game for win-win results.

If you’d like to learn more, this staple from my personal library ? Robert Axelrod’s 1984 book The Evolution of Cooperation ? offers a deep dive into game theory and cooperation.

The author would like to thank Devshree Narware, Juhi Vallabh, and Tamara Berry for their contributions to this article.

PS: If you want to look for articles from the author search for #AmitChoudhary

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[1] ???Futurecmo , “Symbiosis strategy – Creating the ultimate customer value proposition”, Accessed Aug 2021

[2] ???Treesforlife , “Symbiosis,” Accessed Aug 2021.

[3] ??????Harvard Business Review , “The Ecosystem of Shared Value”, Oct 2016.

4??????Unilever , “Open Innovation,” Accessed Aug 2021.

[5] ??????Brittanica , “Lichen – Symbiotic Organism,” Accessed Aug 2021.

[6] ???Brower Group , “Strategic partnerships fuel Uber’s road to success”, Accessed Aug 2021.

[7] ???Investopedia , “The Prisoner’s Dilemma in Business and the Economy”, Accessed Aug 2021.