Once upon a time, a parrot named Pablo and a chameleon named Calvin lived in a vibrant forest. They were neighbours and good friends, each with unique traits: Pablo, known for his vibrant feathers and impressive voice, and Calvin, for his extraordinary ability to adapt and change colour.

One day, they observed humans setting up a business at the forest's edge. It was a basket weaving venture, taking advantage of the abundant reeds by the river. Pablo, always ready for something new, decided to set up his own business, a singing parrot show. He was confident his talent would be enough to make it a success.

Pablo's show started strong, drawing crowds from all over with his beautiful, unique voice. However, over time, the novelty wore off. The audiences dwindled, and the business struggled. Pablo tried singing louder and adding new songs, but nothing seemed to help.

Meanwhile, Calvin, intrigued by the humans' business, started his venture: a colour-changing show. Just like Pablo, Calvin drew large crowds at first. But unlike Pablo, Calvin kept his audience interested. He didn't just showcase his ability to change colours; he innovated, adapting to the feedback from his audience and changing his show accordingly. Some days, he would imitate the sunset's hues, other times, he would blend into the background so perfectly that he seemed to disappear.

Pablo, seeing Calvin's success, approached him for advice. Calvin said, "Pablo, innovation isn't just about having a good idea; it's about adapting, experimenting, and growing with your audience's desires. Like how I change colours to surprise my audience, you need to evolve your shows, not just increase their volume."

Inspired, Pablo decided to innovate. He started incorporating mimicry into his performances, copying sounds from the forest, other animals, and even the human world. He performed interactive shows where the audience could suggest sounds for him to mimic. He even learned to make unique musical tunes combining multiple sounds.

Word about his new and exciting shows quickly spread, and his business boomed again. Pablo realized that while his voice was his strength, innovation and adaptation were the keys to his success. He thanked Calvin for the valuable lesson.

And so, the fable tells us that in business, as in the forest, it's not just about the unique resources or talents one has but how they are adapted and evolved. Innovation, feedback, and continuous adaptation keep a business interesting, relevant, and successful.

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By Andrew Constable MBA, LSSBB

Keywords: Business Strategy, Innovation, Leadership