Innovation Most Critical Factor to Success, Say U.S. Business Leaders; Cisco Innovation 2005 Study Although I have no idea as to why a company like Cisco is actually conducting this kind of study on Innovation (must be a marketing angle in there somewhere...I'm such a skeptic!), there were a couple of interesting stats coming out of this - for example:

"-- Innovation is clearly the most important factor in business success, according to business and technology leaders. Fifty-three percent cited it as having the biggest impact on competitiveness, while increasing employee education and skill levels was favored by 26 percent. Reducing wages (14 percent) and cutting corporate taxes (7 percent) were not seen as strong drivers of competitiveness.

-- Given the focus on innovation, it is not surprising that many business and technology leaders are seeking improvements in the education system. In particular, a solid majority cited a need for greater creative thinking and problem solving skills (58 percent) from students. A third of those polled called for stricter student requirements to accomplish this goal. Twenty-one percent proposed improved communications among teachers, parents and students while the same amount advocated broader access to global subject matter."

Interesting - not really worth reading in full though.