At Alldrain, the hummingbird effect works both ways
Everyone senses today that we’re not living in an era of change, but in a change of eras. That a new world is emerging at breakneck speed, fundamentally transforming the way we think, work, and live. Companies play a crucial role in this transition and, in our view, have a responsibility to chart the course for a society in which future generations can truly thrive. Alldrain doesn’t shy away from shouldering that responsibility. This was evident in our recent decision to join the Florerende Gemeenschap. But also by harnessing the renowned hummingbird effect in both directions.
Peeking over the fence
The hummingbird effect describes how a small innovation in one field can have unexpected and far-reaching consequences in another that, at first glance, seems to have little or nothing to do with it. For instance, Nike drew inspiration for a particular shoe design from the distinctive shape of waffle irons. It’s a concept that emphasizes how important it is to remain open to fresh ideas and to consider how innovations in one context can contribute to solutions in another.
At Alldrain, we try very deliberately to look “beyond our own fence” with an open mind—including by involving the local community and municipal authorities in our initiatives to operate more sustainably. Because not only does every coin have two sides, but every cube has six. In other words: just as a hummingbird flits from flower to flower, inadvertently transferring pollen from one plant to another and thereby creating new plant species, so too can new ideas and solutions emerge in Alldrain’s business context by examining things from different angles and paying attention to what’s happening outside our own field.
That’s where the power of renewal and innovation lies. We make a conscious effort to keep in mind how something very small can have enormous consequences. In today’s hyper-specialized world, where a holistic view of things has often been lost, people perhaps too easily forget that everything is interconnected. Yet we all know how a word, a glance, a gesture can change an entire life. Thousands of books have been written and films made about this. And that’s why we try to give the hummingbird effect a helping hand.
Putting the brakes on the negative hummingbird effect
But we do more than that. Because we recognize that the hummingbird effect can also work in the opposite direction. When people look away, remain silent about matters that should be brought to light, or fall in with something out of “herd mentality” that their conscience tells them they should oppose—these too are small things that can have major consequences.
They can gradually erode a culture of care and responsible business practices. Drop by drop, erosion can occur with negative ramifications. At Alldrain, we therefore work hard to curb this negative hummingbird effect. Through our culture of being able to discuss everything openly, of being allowed to make mistakes provided we learn from them, of staying alert, of not letting ourselves be swayed, and of not doing things “just because everyone else does them.”
We hold fast to our own unique DNA. And in this way, we make the hummingbird effect work in our favor from both directions. This benefits not only our employees, but all our stakeholders.