What the Oryx Taught Me About Business Survival

I saw a picture today. A group of oryx sprinting across the desert sands. For a few seconds, I just stared at it, wondering how they survive out there. I didn’t see water in sight. No trees. No grass. Just endless dunes under that unforgiving sun.

I couldn’t help myself – I did some quick research. How do they live in a place that looks so empty?

What do they eat out there?
What do they drink?
How do they even stay alive?

Turns out, the oryx (also called gemsbok) is one of the most resilient creatures in the desert. When the grass dries up, it digs deep into the sand for hidden roots and bulbs. When rivers disappear, it finds desert melons and wild cucumbers, squeezing out every drop of moisture it can.

Its body has adapted in amazing ways. It barely sweats, even in extreme heat. Its kidneys work efficiently to reduce water loss. It knows when to feed – mostly at dawn and dusk when plants hold a bit more moisture. The oryx doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It simply adapts to survive.

Reading that, something shifted in me. I thought about business.

How often do we say things like, “I’ll organise my systems when the money comes in,” or “I’ll structure my operations when my business grows bigger”?

We keep waiting for rain before we plan our next move.

But the oryx doesn’t wait. It restructures its entire life to fit its reality. It uses what is available, and it thrives in what looks impossible to everyone else.

Your business systems shouldn’t only work when there’s plenty. Your workflows shouldn’t collapse just because sales slow down for a season. Like the oryx, your operations should be designed to survive and even thrive during harsh times.

That’s why I work with entrepreneurs to set up simple, clear systems – ones that reduce waste, save time, and support growth no matter what the market is doing.

If you’re tired of running your business on guesswork and waiting for the “right time” to get organised, maybe this is your wake-up call.

Send me a message if you’re ready to build systems that help your business not just survive, but truly thrive.

Read Also: Beyond Code: Growing Business Leaders from the Classroom