The profitability of 20%

Google allows engineers to work on projects of their choosing one day a week.  Known as the 20% Project - - most companies and managers would probably not allow 3% Projects let alone 20%.  Risk, uncertainty, a lack of control, concerns about accountability - - innovation is about taking risks (calculated risks in most cases) that most organizations are unwilling or unable to accept.

Not much of a risk for Google - - it's been reported that over half of Google's revenue now comes from the ideas that began as 20% time projects.