How does google, with it’s innovative culture (personal 20% time) and creative employees, make sure it’s employees remain loyal and do not run off with a great idea and embark on their own entrepreneurial start-up? If an employee has a great proprietary idea, is the idea his or Google’s? I don’t think confidentiality agreements and non-complete contracts are enough to prevent this from happeing. Anyone have an idea?

Confidentiality agreements, non-compete contracts, and professional honor ARE most certainly enough to prevent this from happening, at Google the same as at any other company. If anything, Google’s optimum working conditions would likely inspire *more* company loyalty, not less.

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