What type of work environment stimulates a culture of innovation?
There are five key elements of a culture that fosters innovation. First is the understanding of our customers and their needs. Otherwise we are just pursuing technology innovation for the sake of innovation. Second is teamwork, where our customers are looking for solutions. Third is an innovative culture that needs an environment where the best idea wins, regardless of the discipline or rank of the person who suggests it. Finally, to have true innovation you need a culture where risk taking is acceptable. Incremental innovation and growth is fine, but to truly innovate, people need to be encouraged to think the big ideas, have big thoughts. Pursue the big ideas and see where it takes them. What technical innovations are currently going on in Bell Labs? Bell Labs continues to look at research, both in the near and long term, covering everything from immediate R&D for Lucent to succeed today and on fundamental scientific breakthroughs that may be ten or more years out on the horizon. Som
