martin reeves

[ny]

intro’d to Martin in his ted@bcg paris – how to build a business that lasts 100 yrs

principles while pitching an immune system:

1\ cleverly uses redundancy.. to createt buffer against unextpecte

2\ leverages diversity.. together .. can cope w/more/less anything

3\ completely modular..

4\ completely adaptive.. threats never even met before

5\ w prudence.. detecting/reacting/remembering any tiny threat

6\ embedded in larger system and works in harmony with..

bob says.. it’s inefficient and complex, siloed, overreacts, makes things up as goes along.. designed for someone else’s benefit…

efficiency ness

if went with bob’s concept.. would be more efficient.. in short term..

one tiny problem.. user.. would probably die w/in one week of next winter when new strain

question: what do to make sure co last 100 yrs..

now 30% chance co will fail in 5 yrs

5 min – where better to turn for advice than nature.. that’s been in business of life/death longer than any co

looking at rainforests/fisheries.. what makes these systems resilient/enduring… found same 6 principles.. also saw in long lived social systems..

12 min – mechanical thinking: we sets goals, analyze problems, construct/adhere to plans, stress efficiency and short term performance.. splendidly practical/effective way in addressing relatively simple challenges in relatively stable environments..

until mid 1980s when conjunction of globalization/media…

in addition to mechanical.. need to master art of biological thinking.. by 6 principles.. when/how we can shape.. rather than control unpredictable/complex situations.. like throwing ball.. vs releasing a bird..

every small company naturally thinks biologically.. large need to rejuvenate ability to think biologically

let’s not just think about short term performance…. how long will the game last..

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Senior Partner @BCG and Director of the BCG Henderson Institute