miniproject 3, from Ou

A tree structure as a model of corporation development
Ou Zhang
From a tiny seed, the tree takes a long journey to grow.

How does a tree grow?
It is generally known that, in humans and other animals growth can occur in most parts of the body. As we mature, our bones, skin and muscle all increase in size. Whereas, trees do not grow like this. Trees grow by producing new cells in a very limited number of places. These places of cell division are called meristems. Meristems are zones of intense activity. They are where all new cells are formed and where they expand.
As a result, trees always grow in height at their branch tips. At the same time, roots also expand through the soil by growing at their tips as a result of meristems. All buds that you see on a tree contain meristems. Trunk diameter growth occurs as a result of another kind of meristem called the “vascular cambium”. The vascular cambium produces new xylem and phloem each year and as a result the trunk, branches and roots continue to increase in diameter.
In business, there also exists a kind of meristem called “Mission”. A mission statement is a brief statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The intention of a mission statement is to keep the members of a company, including employers and employees, aware of the organization’s purpose. By having the company’s mission in mind, members, no matter which level or which department they are in, share the same belief and make effort towards the same goal. Thus, we can say that the mission leads a company or organization grow in different dimension, and expand.
Roots:
The root development is the basis for the tree development. The two major functions of roots are 1) to absorb of water and nutrients and 2) to physically support the plant body to the ground. They also often function in storage of food. Most of the root system is made of lateral roots. Lateral root development is controlled by different factors including nutrient concentration in the plant and the soil. The plasticity of the root system allows it to adapt to different kinds of soil environment, and eventually is very important for the survival of the plant.
The root of a business lies in the top level of the company or organization, usually the CEO and the broad of shareholders. The top level’s major functions are to take macro-control of and lead the whole company towards their goals. Their strategy and decision makings are just like the water and nutrition for the company. And they make investments and set rules to support their company. The broad of shareholders consists of all shareholders or investors. They have the right to vote and make decisions. Just like the lateral root system, those people are from different directions and hold different perspective. Yet, they all contribute themselves to the development of the company, and make the company survive.
A Tree and Its Trunk
Understanding the trunk of a tree is the key to understanding how a tree works. The trunk is the part of a tree that support and connects the “leafy crown” with its roots. Water and nutrients that are absorbed from the soil by the root are then transported up the tree trunk in some kind of pipes called vascular tissue. This allows the leaves to obtain water and nutrients that are necessary for the manufacture of food from light energy (photosynthesis). Food made in the leaves is then transported down to the roots and to other parts of the tree for growth.
Chief executives or managers function more or less like the trunk of a tree. They transfer the main strategy from the CEO to the lower level employee, and then report the feedback back to the top management level. They break the top strategy down into different aspect, and make subsidiary decisions. Thus the lower management level, or the employees, can obtain the detailed information and have a better understanding of the company’s mission.
Leaves;
Some people may wonder why most leaves are green. Then chlorophyll may be the answer. Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes leaves green. Some scientists say that it is one of the most important molecules on earth because it traps energy needed to make food for all beings. Chlorophyll traps energy from the sunlight and convert it to nutrition for the plant, including the fruit of the plant, which then become the food for people and animals.
Leaves of a company are its employees. A tree can not have fruits without leaves. Similarly, a company can never get its achievement with the employees. Employees are the ones gather the water and nutrition from inside and trap the energy from the outside, and then make the fruit firm and sweet.
A company with its CEO, broad of shareholders, managers, as well as the employees together, forms a complete picture of a business tree. Every element of the tree is essential. They function together and form a harmony.
Variables that Affect Tree Growth
Tree growth can be influenced by many different variables. Whether in a laboratory or in a forest, all trees need certain variables to grow.
Those variables could include sunlight, rainfall, soil nutrients, and location. Competition among trees could also be considered a kind of variable. Environmental disturbances such as construction, fire, insects, weather patterns, and storms can also greatly influence tree growth.
A business can also be affected by various factors. Controllable variables include location, market position, strategy, products, services etc. Uncontrollable variables include weather, culture, rules & regulations, government, economy and so on. In order to ensure the healthy growth of a business, the top management must analyze all the uncontrollable variables, and then set the controllable variables. Moreover, they have to be able to forecast and be willing to adapt any change. Employees for a company must handle various high technical skills, essential customer communication skills, and teamwork skills.
Fruits
When spring comes, trees are covered with blossoms when flower buds open. At this time, leaf buds are also open and developing. While bees and other insects are collecting honey from the flowers, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, which indeed fertilize the flowers. The pollen is the male cell from the flower and it grows tubes down into the female ovaries, the base of the flower petals. When the petals fall off the flower, the tiny ovaries begin to grow into a fruit.
As business grows mature, they also need some external elements to fertilize the flower and make the ovaries grow into a fruit. Advertising through all kinds of media as well as the networking are examples of such external elements. Without letting the public known about the business, a company has no way to success. Furthermore, remember that only colorful and fragrant flowers can attract the bees. Business has to be creative, innovative and open to attract public’s attention. Some business may feel that the advertising cost are huge, yet when customers are attracted to buy your products, you will find all you paid is worthy.

Dormant bud
The other thing to look for in this time lapse is the dormant bud. Not all buds grow out. This does not mean that the bud is dead, it is just dormant. As the tree grows, this bud remains but gets buried in the bark. When a branch gets cut off a tree or the tree gets cut down, it will still sprout back. These sprouts then come from dormant buds.
Business sometimes collapse and go bankruptcy. Some owners just give it up and cry at home. However, some can still survive after the “death” of the business and reborn with another opportunity. That is the same thing as a dormant bud. Failure differs from death. Therefore we do not have to be afraid of failures. One mistake may lead to a success. For a 21st century business, we should never miss out any potential opportunity, and be brave and confident.

References:
how does a tree grow? –by Brent Cook
Suzy’s world – how do apples grow?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root wikipedia