Business leaders read publications and attend conferences to be current with their market. Some businesses have a yearly retreat in nature because they want to relax and connect on a deeper level.
In a Business Insider article, multiple studies show the benefits of being in nature. As a result, one can have improved short-term memory, stress relief, improved concentration, better vision, among other benefits.
So, how much is enough? Two hours a week is enough, according to the Nature Research Journal.
Business may not offer the same health benefits as nature, but they share some similarities. Adaptability is one example. Businesses must adapt to industry trends to stay in business. Nature must adapt to its local environment to continue its existence. If both resist, neither will exist anymore.
Nature has existed since the beginning of time. Businesses existed after humans developed systems of trade and currency. If more businesses want to achieve maximum longevity like nature, they need to take a fundamental approach to develop innovation in the company. Janine Benyus calls it, biomimicry.
Biomimicry is an approach to innovation processes. It supports strategies found in nature to develop sustainable solutions to modern challenges. Janine Benyus popularized the term in her book, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature.
While the term is not very popular, many of the applications are part of our daily lives. For example, this technology is widely used to solve challenging problems in engineering and architecture,. Below are some of Biomimicry’s applications.
Inspired by the fish skin’s reaction to water, a low friction technology swimsuit helped the Olympic athlete, Michael Phelps, in his career. In addition, the hulls of ships, submarines, and even aircraft benefits from the same technology.
The Swiss engineer, Georges de Mestral, developed Velcro in 1941. He was walking with his dog in the woods and noticed that some seeds were trapped in the fur of his dog. Therefore, he discovered how to attach objects with a system of tiny hooks and a diaper.
The natural functions of a tree inspired The William McDonough Tree Tower. Similarly, the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo has a design to work as a great living tree.
In contrast, the Kepos Eco Hotel has the ability to absorb solar and wind energy through open pores, while the Hotel Songjiang has an old quarry mine with geothermal properties to produce electricity and hot water.
Biomimicry solutions can be found in the most unlikely places. For example, check out the video of the bullet train in Japan that solved a problem for a birdwatcher.
“This design method that incorporates lessons learned from nature, can turn constantly in response to new challenges in our environment,” writes Francis Lorraine, of Gensler, a global design and architecture.
Today, travelers will expect a luxurious standard that meets their needs and ethical values. Consequently, hotels are incorporating more sustainable practices with the help of biomimicry.
Imagine a hotel that generates energy by absorbing sunlight or wind and collects rainwater for recycling. This is already a reality and more hotels will be energy efficient by relying on their natural habitats for inspiration.
In addition to sustainability, it transmits positive emotions to travelers who care about sustainability. Last year, the Terrapin collaborated with Gensler in a series of studies to bring clarity about the trends in hospitality biodesign. A biodesign contributed to a memorable guest experience by 18%.
While biomimicry inspires the imitation of forms or structures, the nature of intelligence can inspire new leadership strategies, innovation, and organizational design.