Mineralization
Dead organisms don't waste - every atom returns to the ecosystem as plant-available nutrients. Failed initiatives should mineralize the same way: talent, technology, and insights converted to forms new ventures can absorb.
Mineralization is the conversion of organic nutrients into inorganic mineral forms that plants can use. Proteins become amino acids, then ammonia, then nitrate (nitrogen cycle). Nucleic acids become phosphate (phosphorus cycle). Cellulose becomes glucose, then CO₂ (carbon cycle). The final stage is complete mineralization - conversion of all remaining organic compounds into CO₂, water, and mineral nutrients. The result: every atom that was locked in the dead organism is returned to the ecosystem in plant-available form.
Business Application of Mineralization
Complete organizational 'mineralization' means extracting all reusable value from ended initiatives - technology, talent, customer insights, lessons learned - and converting them into forms that can be absorbed by new growth initiatives.