Happy Darwinian 2009 !

All my best wishes for 2009.
Appropriately enough, for a blog launching at the start of this year, it is the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s publication of Origin of the Species. A good reminder in these turbulent times that human life can be boiled down to a couple of basic essentials: survival and reproduction, as The Economist reminds us in its Christmas Issue.
Many companies and managers will be focusing on the first in 2009. I would suggest that history will remember those who keep their sights firmly focused on the second. There are already two reactions apparent in reaction to the crisis.
One is to hunker down, tighten all the screws, and reduce the team to the core individuals who have delivered past successes – then wait to see what happens before moving. The other is to use this opportunity to make massive, profound or innovative changes, adaptations and investments to ready for a new century, new rules and new realities.
I hope we are ambitious for more than just survival... Well speaking about me, it is a big Yes...

Happy Darwinian 2009!