Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurialism in a Value-Driven Organization

Abstract

In this interview with the founder and chief executive officer of BEM Systems, Inc., an environmental science and engineering firm, attention is given to the approach that has enabled a small company to go beyond the narrow scope of an assignment and develop creative solutions that support the long-term business goals of its clients. In being entrepreneurial, the employees of the firm look for connections between disparate sectors of the industry and draw on latent talents and relationships in an effort to turn any opportunity first into a strategy and then into a concrete, revenue-generating project. The key role that innovation played during the company’s formative stages is recounted. The company’s hiring and compensation practices are then discussed, and the importance of creating a culture that respects and rewards innovation is stressed. Attention is also given to the company’s project management quality control system.