Boosting Innovation Resilience: 5 Proven Strategies

Understanding Resilient Innovation

Resilient innovation refers to the ability of companies to adapt and thrive in the face of challenges, setbacks, and changes in the business environment. It involves creating a culture that embraces change, learns from failures, and continuously seeks new opportunities for growth and improvement.

Definition of resilient innovation

Resilient innovation is the process through which organizations proactively anticipate changes, respond effectively to disruptions, and leverage setbacks as opportunities for growth. It involves fostering a nimble mindset that values experimentation, learning, and adaptability to navigate uncertainties and achieve sustained success.

Importance of resilience in the innovation process

Resilience plays a crucial role in the innovation process by enabling companies to weather storms, pivot strategies when needed, and capitalize on emerging trends. By fostering a resilient culture, organizations can stay agile, quickly recover from failures, and remain competitive in dynamic markets.

Resilience also allows companies to push boundaries, experiment with new ideas, and embrace creativity without fear of failure. This resilience mindset encourages innovation, drives continuous improvement, and helps organizations stay ahead in rapidly changing industries.

Characteristics of resilient innovative companies

• Adaptability: Resilient companies are flexible and can pivot their strategies quickly in response to market shifts or unexpected challenges.

• Risk-taking: They are not afraid to take calculated risks and innovate, knowing that failures are viewed as learning opportunities.

• Agility: These organizations can move swiftly, adjusting to new circumstances and seizing opportunities as they arise.

• Collaboration: Resilient companies foster a culture of teamwork and collaboration, encouraging diverse perspectives and creative problem-solving.

• Vision: They have a clear long-term view and are driven by a purpose that guides their innovation efforts, allowing them to stay focused amidst turbulence.

Understanding and fostering resilient innovation are vital for organizations aiming to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. By embracing resilience, companies can build a solid foundation for sustainable growth, navigate uncertainties with confidence, and drive continuous innovation.

Building a Resilient Innovation Culture

In today’s fast-paced world, building a resilient innovation culture is crucial for companies to stay competitive and relevant. To foster a culture of experimentation, organizations need to encourage curiosity among employees, prioritize data-driven decision-making over opinions, and democratize the experimentation process.

Embracing a culture where trying new ideas and learning from outcomes is celebrated can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements.

Fostering a culture of experimentation: Cultivating an environment where employees are empowered to explore new ideas, test hypotheses, and innovate without fear of repercussions is key to fostering experimentation. Providing resources, training, and a safe space for employees to experiment ensures that creativity flourishes, leading to innovative solutions and products.

Embracing failure as a learning opportunity: Failure should not be seen as a setback but as a stepping stone towards success. Encouraging employees to take risks, try new approaches, and learn from failures helps in fostering a growth mindset. By acknowledging failures as valuable learning experiences, companies can extract lessons, refine strategies, and propel innovation forward.

For more detailed insights on embracing failure as a learning opportunity, you can read about Strategies for Learning from Failure, which highlights the importance of deriving lessons from setbacks to drive continuous improvement.

Empowering employees to take risks: Empowering employees to take risks involves setting clear boundaries for experimentation, highlighting the potential risks and rewards, and providing support and guidance throughout the process. Encouraging smart risk-taking methodologies, where calculated risks are encouraged while deterring ill-advised decisions, can lead to strategic breakthroughs and innovative solutions.

Furthermore, to empower your team to take worthwhile risks, offering professional development opportunities, encouraging collaboration, and creating a diverse and inclusive workplace environment can significantly contribute to fostering an innovative culture where employees feel empowered to explore new ideas and initiatives.

Building a resilient innovation culture requires fostering a culture of experimentation, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and empowering employees to take risks. By adopting these practices, organizations can cultivate a dynamic environment where creativity thrives, innovation flourishes, and breakthroughs become a norm.

Implementing Resilient Strategies

To implement Resilient Strategies, businesses should embrace agile innovation methodologies like continuous project deliverables and breaking work into manageable tasks. Scenario planning for unexpected challenges is crucial for anticipating and addressing potential disruptions. Leveraging technology for continuous adaptation and investing in innovative solutions will foster a culture of resilience and support long-term success.

Do businesses need to embrace agile innovation methodologies to implement Resilient Strategies? Yes. Explanation: Embracing agile innovation methodologies like continuous project deliverables and breaking work into manageable tasks is essential for implementing Resilient Strategies.

Agile Innovation Methodologies

Agile innovation methodologies are vital for fostering Resilient Strategies. By following agile principles like continuous project deliverables and breaking work into manageable tasks, businesses can swiftly adapt to changing environments. For instance, satisfying customers through regular iterations promotes Resilient practices by enabling quick adjustments based on feedback. Implementing a culture of agile innovation enhances resilience by promoting flexibility and responsiveness.

Scenario Planning for Unexpected Challenges

Scenario planning is a crucial element of resilience in today’s dynamic market. By creating plausible and diverse scenarios, businesses can anticipate challenges and proactively address them. Evaluating scenario implications and preparing for the unexpected enhance Resilient Strategies. Leveraging tools and techniques for scenario planning ensures companies are well-prepared to navigate uncertainties and disruptions effectively.

Leveraging Technology for Continuous Adaptation

Embracing technology is paramount for ensuring continuous adaptation and resilience in a rapidly evolving landscape. By staying ahead of technological advancements, businesses can leverage innovative solutions to drive growth. Mastering business excellence through technology enables Resilient strategies that catalyze positive change and support continuous improvement. Adopting practical strategies to adapt to technology positions companies for long-term success in a competitive environment.

Case Studies of Resilient Innovations

Resilient Innovations Private Limited and BharatPe are both exemplary case studies of resilient companies that have overcome challenges through determination, adaptability, and innovation. These companies have demonstrated the power of resilience in navigating uncertainties and emerging stronger in the face of adversity. By embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth and maintaining a culture of resilience, they have set a high standard for success in the industry.

Resilient Innovations Private Limited success story

Resilient Innovations Private Limited is setting an exemplary benchmark in the world of technology with its cutting-edge innovations. Through unwavering determination and a focus on resilience, the company has overcome numerous obstacles to emerge as a leader in the industry. Their success can be attributed to a culture that encourages creativity, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

The company’s journey is a testament to the power of embracing challenges and turning them into opportunities for growth. By fostering a work environment that values resilience, Resilient Innovations Private Limited has been able to thrive even in the face of adversity. Their commitment to innovative solutions has not only driven success but has also inspired others in the industry.

One key factor that sets Resilient Innovations Private Limited apart is its ability to quickly pivot in response to changing market dynamics. This agility, coupled with a strong vision for the future, has been instrumental in the company’s rapid growth and sustained impact. Their success story serves as a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to navigate the complexities of the business world while staying true to their core values.

For more insights on Resilient Innovations Private Limited’s journey, you can read about how investing in distressed companies can lead to success and sustainable growth.

How BharatPe overcame challenges through resilience

BharatPe, a prominent player in the digital financial landscape, exemplifies the true essence of resilience in the face of adversity. The company’s ability to navigate challenges with grit and determination has not only strengthened its position in the market but has also inspired others in the industry. Through a customer-centric approach and a focus on continuous innovation, BharatPe has transformed obstacles into stepping stones for progress.

One of the key strategies that BharatPe employed to overcome challenges was embracing every setback as an opportunity to grow and improve. By staying agile and responsive to market dynamics, the company was able to outmaneuver obstacles and emerge stronger than before. This adaptive mindset, combined with a culture of collaboration and resilience, has been instrumental in BharatPe’s remarkable success story.

Leaders can draw inspiration from BharatPe’s journey, recognizing that adversity is not a roadblock but a detour towards innovation and growth. The company’s triumph serves as a reminder that with a clear vision and a dedicated team, any challenge can be transformed into an opportunity for advancement.

For more insights on BharatPe’s resilience and triumph, you can explore how their approach to digital financial inclusion has paved the way for industry transformations.

Lessons learned from resilient companies in the face of crises

In times of crisis, resilient companies stand out for their ability to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side. By examining the experiences of resilient organizations, valuable lessons can be drawn on how to navigate uncertainty and challenges effectively. These companies demonstrate that adversity can be a catalyst for growth and innovation, provided there is a strong foundation of resilience and strategic decision-making in place.

One crucial lesson learned from resilient companies is the importance of adaptability and flexibility in responding to unexpected disruptions. By staying agile and proactive, organizations can mitigate risks and seize opportunities that arise during turbulent times. Additionally, fostering a culture of resilience and empowerment among employees is key to building a strong and united front in the face of crises.

By reflecting on the subprime crisis and other past challenges, businesses can glean insights on how to build resilience into their organizational DNA. Transparent communication, adaptability, and a focus on cybersecurity measures are critical components of a resilient business strategy that can withstand the test of time.

For further exploration of resilient business practices and crisis management, you can dive into real-world scenarios and learn from the experiences of companies that have successfully navigated challenges with resolve and innovation.

Key Metrics for Resilient Innovation

Key Metrics for Resilient Innovation:

Measuring innovation resilience involves assessing adaptability, successful implementation of new ideas, and the ability to learn from failures. Tracking success in adaptive strategies includes monitoring KPIs, real-time data analysis, and regular performance reviews. Benchmarking against industry standards requires selecting relevant metrics, analyzing competitors, and continuous monitoring for sustaining innovation.

Measuring innovation resilience

In order to measure innovation resilience, companies must first assess their ability to adapt to challenging circumstances successfully. This is evaluated by analyzing the company’s capacity to pivot strategies swiftly in response to unexpected disruptions, such as market shifts or technological advancements.

One crucial metric for measuring innovation resilience is the rate of successful implementation of new ideas within the organization. Companies that consistently turn innovative concepts into tangible products or services demonstrate a high level of adaptability and resilient innovation.

Another key indicator of innovation resilience is the ability to learn from failures. Companies that view setbacks as learning opportunities and adjust their approach accordingly showcase a resilient mindset that fuels continuous innovation.

Furthermore, employee engagement can serve as a valuable metric for measuring innovation resilience. Engaged employees are more likely to contribute novel ideas, increasing the company’s capacity for innovation and adaptation.

To track innovation resilience effectively, organizations can use a combination of quantitative metrics, such as time-to-market for new products, and qualitative assessments like customer feedback, which provide insights into the company’s innovative capabilities.

Tracking Success in Adaptive Strategies

Success in adaptive strategies can be monitored by analyzing the effectiveness of strategy implementation in response to changing market conditions or internal challenges. Companies that swiftly adjust their tactics demonstrate strong adaptive strategies.

One crucial aspect of tracking success in adaptive strategies is monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the company’s strategic objectives. This allows organizations to evaluate the impact of their adaptive measures on overall performance.

Moreover, real-time data analysis plays a vital role in tracking the success of adaptive strategies. By leveraging up-to-date information, companies can make informed decisions promptly, ensuring their strategies remain relevant and effective.

Regular performance reviews are essential for monitoring the progress of adaptive strategies. This involves assessing whether the chosen strategies are meeting predefined goals and making necessary adjustments to optimize outcomes.

Additionally, employee feedback and involvement are valuable metrics for tracking success in adaptive strategies. Engaging employees in strategy development fosters a culture of adaptability and innovation that supports ongoing success.

Benchmarking Against Industry Standards

Benchmarking against industry standards is crucial for companies aiming to stay competitive and drive innovation within their sector. By comparing their performance indicators with industry benchmarks, organizations can identify areas for improvement and innovation opportunities.

An effective benchmarking strategy involves selecting relevant industry standards that align with the company’s goals. This could include metrics related to productivity, innovation output, and customer satisfaction, among others.

Analyzing competitors’ strategies and performance metrics can provide valuable insights for benchmarking against industry standards. By identifying industry leaders and their practices, companies can set ambitious yet achievable goals for innovation and performance.

Continuous monitoring of industry benchmarks is essential for sustaining innovation. Regularly reviewing how the company’s metrics compare to industry standards enables proactive adjustments and ensures ongoing alignment with market trends.

By focusing on comprehensive measuring of innovation resilience, tracking success in adaptive strategies, and benchmarking against industry standards, companies can effectively navigate challenges, drive continuous innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business landscape.

How Can Businesses Embrace Resilient Innovation?

To embrace Resilient Innovation, businesses must first cultivate a culture that values adaptability and creativity. This begins by fostering an environment where innovation is encouraged at all levels, from leadership to front-line employees.

Key Steps to Embrace Resilient Innovation:

• Encourage Risk-Taking: Create a safe space for employees to experiment and take calculated risks without fear of failure.
• Invest in Continuous Learning: Support ongoing training and development programs to keep employees up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies.
• Embrace Technology: Harness the power of cutting-edge technologies like AI and data analytics to drive innovation and improve processes.
• Seek Customer Feedback: Regularly engage with customers to understand their evolving needs and tailor products/services accordingly.
• Build Cross-Functional Teams: Encourage collaboration across departments to foster diverse perspectives and ideas.
• Stay Agile: Develop a flexible organizational structure that can adapt quickly to changing market conditions.

Benefits of Embracing Resilient Innovation:

• Competitive Advantage: Businesses that innovate continually stay ahead of the competition.

• Greater ** flexibility: Being open to change allows companies to pivot quickly in response to challenges.

• Enhanced Problem-Solving: Innovative solutions often lead to more effective problem-solving strategies.

• Improved Employee Engagement: Empowering employees to contribute to innovation fosters a sense of ownership and engagement.

For companies to thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape, embracing Resilient Innovation is vital. By creating a culture that values creativity, taking risks, and leveraging technology, organizations can ensure they remain resilient and adaptable in the face of uncertainty.

Promoting Collaboration and Cross-Industry Innovation

Collaborating with external partners from diverse backgrounds, industries, and cultures fosters cross-industry innovation by bringing fresh perspectives to the table. By leveraging unique insights and experiences, companies can ignite creative problem-solving and drive groundbreaking solutions. Establishing a network of resilient innovators for knowledge sharing further accelerates innovation by promoting a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.

Promoting Collaboration and Cross-Industry Innovation Yes.

Collaborating with External Partners for Diverse Perspectives

Collaborating with partners from different industries, cultures, and backgrounds offers a fresh lens to examine challenges and opportunities. By tapping into these diverse perspectives, companies can break free from traditional thinking and ignite creative problem-solving. This collaboration sparks innovation through the fusion of unique insights, fostering a culture of out-of-the-box thinking and adaptability.

To exemplify, a tech startup partnering with a fashion brand can blend digital expertise with design creativity, resulting in cutting-edge wearable technology. Similarly, a healthcare provider collaborating with a gaming company can leverage gamification to enhance patient engagement and wellness programs, showcasing the power of inter-industry collaboration.

External partnerships fuel cross-pollination of ideas, enabling companies to pioneer groundbreaking solutions and remain at the forefront of industry trends. Leveraging diverse expertise sparks resilient innovation by creating a robust ecosystem that thrives on creativity and agility.

Learning from Innovations in Unrelated Industries

Drawing inspiration from unrelated industries injects fresh insights into business strategies and product development. By observing disruptive innovations outside their sector, companies can adapt and implement game-changing concepts in their own domain. This cross-pollination of ideas nurtures a culture of exploration and risk-taking, essential for fostering resilient innovation.

For instance, a hospitality brand studying self-driving car technology may introduce autonomous room service robots. Learning from unconventional sources sparks out-of-the-box thinking, inspiring companies to reimagine their offerings and stay ahead of the competition by innovating in unexpected ways.

Exploring innovations in unrelated fields fosters creative thinking and challenges the status quo, leading to paradigm shifts and groundbreaking advancements in a company’s product portfolio and service offerings.

Creating a Network of Resilient Innovators for Knowledge Sharing

Establishing a network of resilient innovators cultivates a culture of continuous learning and collaborative growth. By facilitating knowledge sharing among diverse individuals and organizations, companies can harness a wealth of insights and experiences to drive innovation forward.

For instance, hosting cross-industry workshops and collaborative sessions allows innovators to exchange ideas, best practices, and innovative solutions. This interactive environment fosters a community of sharing that propels innovation and promotes resilient practices across industries.

Embracing a network of resilient innovators not only fosters a culture of resourcefulness and adaptability but also nurtures an environment where disruptive ideas flourish. This collaborative ecosystem accelerates the pace of innovation and ensures continued relevance in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Resilient Innovation

To overcome common challenges in resilient innovation, organizations must address resistance to change by fostering clear communication, involving employees in the transformation process, and implementing small-scale pilot programs. Managing resource constraints involves prioritizing resources based on critical needs, leveraging technology solutions, and encouraging cross-functional collaboration. Balancing short-term objectives with long-term resilience goals requires deconstructing the overarching vision into actionable steps, setting SMART goals, prioritizing short-term objectives that align with long-term goals, and adapting a nimble approach to respond to changing market dynamics.

Addressing resistance to change within the organization

Resistance to change is a common hurdle in fostering resilient innovation within organizations. To mitigate this resistance, it’s vital to establish clear communication channels that emphasize the benefits of change. Develop a robust change management strategy that involves employees at all levels, making them feel valued and part of the transformation process. Set realistic expectations and provide ample support through training and guidance to help employees adapt smoothly to new methodologies.

Implementing small-scale pilot programs can showcase the positive impact of change, gradually winning over skeptics and reducing resistance. Encourage open dialogue, address concerns, and actively listen to feedback to demonstrate that their opinions are valued. Celebrate successes along the way to boost morale and reinforce the benefits of innovation, creating a culture that embraces change as a constant opportunity for growth.

For more detailed insights on overcoming resistance to change, you can read about 7 Strategies for Overcoming Resistance to Change, which emphasizes setting achievable targets and breaking change projects into smaller milestones for better buy-in and engagement from employees.

Managing resource constraints during turbulent times

Resource constraints, such as limited human resources, time, finances, and materials, can pose significant challenges to resilient innovation. To effectively manage these constraints, organizations must prioritize their resources based on critical needs and long-term goals.

Conduct a thorough assessment to identify areas where resources are most urgently required and allocate them strategically to maximize efficiency and productivity.

Implement agile project management methodologies that allow for flexibility and reallocation of resources as needed to adapt to evolving circumstances. Leverage technology solutions that automate repetitive tasks, streamline processes, and optimize resource utilization.

Encourage cross-functional collaboration to pool resources and expertise, fostering a culture of teamwork and resource sharing to overcome constraints and achieve collective success.

For valuable insights on managing resource constraints in project management, you can learn more about Resource Constraints in Business and explore effective strategies for identifying and overcoming resource limitations to drive innovation and growth.

Balancing short-term objectives with long-term resilience goals

Balancing short-term objectives with long-term resilience goals is crucial for sustainable innovation in organizations. Start by deconstructing your overarching vision into actionable steps, setting SMART goals as significant milestones to track progress.

Break down these long-term objectives into manageable short-term goals with specific checkpoints to ensure steady advancement towards the ultimate goal.

Prioritize short-term objectives that align with the organization’s long-term resilience goals, focusing on incremental achievements that contribute to the bigger picture. Create action plans with clear timelines, responsibilities, and performance metrics to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments along the way.

Adapt a nimble approach that allows for flexibility in goal-setting to respond to changing market dynamics and unforeseen challenges.

For valuable tips on balancing short-term and long-term goals effectively, explore Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals to gain insights on setting actionable SMART goals, creating actionable plans, and aligning short-term efforts with long-term resilience objectives for sustained innovation.

Future Trends in Resilient Innovation

As we stride into a future dominated by innovation, Incorporating sustainability and ethical considerations is becoming a non-negotiable trend. Businesses are embracing initiatives like sustainable supply chains, renewable energy adoption, circular economy practices, and ethical sourcing to foster a resilient ecosystem. For example, companies like GEP are leading the charge in implementing these trends to drive responsible innovation (source).

When it comes to Adopting a human-centered design approach for resilience, the focus has shifted towards a more holistic and human-centric strategy. This approach not only enhances organizational resilience but also tackles the root causes of critical issues like climate change. Companies are leveraging design thinking principles to foster sustainable practices and drive meaningful change. By adopting a human-centered approach, a business can create solutions that truly resonate with their target audience (source).

In the realm of innovation, The role of AI and machine learning is paramount in enhancing innovation resilience. By leveraging advanced technologies like AI and machine learning, organizations can amplify human capabilities and streamline operations. Resilient organizations are utilizing automation and AI-driven techniques to fortify their innovation processes and stay ahead in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Incorporating AI and machine learning isn’t just a trend; it’s a necessity for sustainable growth (source).

Sustainability and Ethical Considerations Example Table

Human-Centered Design Approach Example List

• Understanding User Needs: Identifying and empathizing with the users to design solutions that cater to their requirements effectively.

• Iterative Prototyping: Creating multiple prototypes based on user feedback to refine the final product.

• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensuring that design solutions are accessible to all users, regardless of abilities or backgrounds.

Role of AI and Machine Learning Example List

• Enhanced Decision-Making: Utilizing AI algorithms to analyze data and provide insights for informed decision-making.

• Predictive Maintenance: Implementing machine learning to predict maintenance needs and prevent costly downtime.

• Personalized Customer Experiences: Leveraging AI to tailor product offerings and services to individual customer preferences.

Future Trends in Resilient Innovation are deeply intertwined with sustainability, human-centered design, and advanced technologies like AI and machine learning. By embracing these trends, businesses can not only thrive in today’s competitive landscape but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

The Path to Sustainable and Resilient Innovation

In the fast-paced world of innovation, maintaining resilience is key to long-term success. Embracing sustainable practices ensures that your innovations can withstand challenges and adapt to changing environments.

Let’s delve into the strategies that can boost your innovation resilience and set you on a path to sustainable growth.

Recap of key strategies for boosting innovation resilience

• Foster a Culture of Adaptability: Encourage a flexible mindset within your organization, where teams are ready to pivot and embrace change swiftly.
• Invest in Continuous Learning: Continuously upskill your workforce to stay ahead of trends and equip them with the tools needed to innovate effectively.
• Build Strong Relationships: Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to create a supportive network that can provide insights and resources during turbulent times.
• Embrace Technology: Utilize cutting-edge technologies to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation at a rapid pace.
• Establish Clear Goals: Set clear objectives and milestones to give your team a sense of direction and purpose, fostering resilience in the face of challenges.

For more detailed insights on boosting innovation resilience, you can read about strategies to empower your business.

Encouraging a mindset shift towards adaptive and resilient innovation

Shifting towards adaptive and resilient innovation requires a change in mindset across your organization. It involves instilling a proactive approach to challenges, embracing change as a catalyst for growth, and fostering a culture of resilience.

• Promote Agile Practices: Implement agile methodologies that allow for rapid iterations and quick adjustments based on feedback and market changes.
• Encourage Experimentation: Create a safe space for experimentation and failure, where team members feel comfortable taking risks and learning from setbacks.
• Celebrate Successes and Failures: Recognize and reward both successful innovations and failed attempts, encouraging a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Provide Resources for Innovation: Ensure teams have access to the resources, tools, and training necessary to drive innovation and adaptability effectively.
• Lead by Example: Senior leadership should exemplify resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change, setting the tone for the entire organization.

To learn more about promoting a growth mindset within your team, check out tips for innovation and adaptability.

Looking ahead to a future where resilience is a driving force in innovation success

As we peer into the future of innovation, it is evident that resilience will be a critical driver of success. Organizations that prioritize resilience in their innovation strategies will be better equipped to navigate uncertainty, capitalize on emerging opportunities, and sustain growth in volatile markets.

• Anticipate Market Shifts: Stay ahead of market trends and anticipate shifts in consumer behavior to proactively adjust your innovation strategies.
• Embrace Sustainability: Incorporate sustainable practices into your innovation processes to reduce risks, enhance brand reputation, and attract environmentally-conscious consumers.
• Forge Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with industry peers and experts to exchange knowledge, share resources, and co-create innovative solutions that address shared challenges.
• Invest in Talent Development: Nurture a diverse talent pool with a range of skills and backgrounds to foster creativity, resilience, and a culture of innovation within your organization.
• Monitor Metrics and Adapt: Continuously track key performance indicators, customer feedback, and market data to make informed decisions and adapt your innovation roadmap accordingly.

To explore more about navigating the future with resilience and innovation, dive into insights on global landscape evolution.