Beyond tech skills: Cultivating intellectual and collaborative excellence in OSS / BSS teams

In the realm of Operational Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS), the importance of intellectual prowess and innovative thinking cannot be overstated. This insight is particularly relevant when creating OSS / BSS products, where the complexity and evolving nature of the industry demand exceptional talent. But perhaps even more importantly, it requires the ability for great minds to collaborate with humility.

In this article, we break LeCun’s sentiments into four key points for creating next-generation OSS / BSS solutions and the environments that cultivate them:

Key considerations for developing next-generation OSS/BSS solutions

1. The need for intellectual depth and multi-layered experiences in network operations

Complexity of systems: OSS / BSS environments are intricate, with layers of functionality that require deep, multi-factored understandings of networks and operations. Advanced intellect combined with a depth of experiences provides the capacity to navigate and innovate within these complex systems

Rapid technological advances: The telecom industry is in a constant state of flux, driven by rapid and multi-threaded technological advancements. Intellectual agility is a necessity that enables teams to adapt quickly and efficiently

Problem-solving skills: Challenges in OSS / BSS are often unique and multi-faceted. A team with high intellectual capability can devise innovative solutions that might elude others and go beyond the capabilities of all that have come before them

Fostering a culture of inspiration and thought leadership: There are many threads stemming from this consideration too. These include encouragement of team members to become thought leaders, sharing their insights and visions not just within the team but with the wider industry; mentoring and coaching; open forums of idea exchange; egoless leadership that also offers intellectual stimulation and inspiration; and much more

 

2. Recruiting for intellect but also for an ability to collaborate and inspire

Looking beyond technical skills alone: While technical prowess is crucial as well as analytical and problem-solving abilities, it's equally important to assess a candidate's ability to operate within a broader team

Cultural fit: There’s no doubt that LeCun’s quote is based around intellect, but it also points to an ability to share ideas with humility. It’s not just the abilities of unique individuals that make for high-performing teams, but their ability to work together and inspire each other to greater achievements. Intellectual talent must be carefully shaped to align with company and team culture. A culture that encourages questioning, exploration and sharing is vital for nurturing intellect. As LeCun’s quote suggests, it’s important for this culture to emanate from senior leaders

Diversity of thought: OSS and BSS products have been around for decades. The industry can be considered to be quite mature. However, there is still plenty of room to improve through innovation. Diversity of background and thinking is known to be one key to achieving breakthroughs in innovation.  Hiring from diverse backgrounds can be encouraged to bring different perspectives and approaches to OSS / BSS problem-solving, enriching the intellectual pool of the entire team

 

3. Fostering an Intellectually stimulating environment

Continuous learning and development: Requires providing a platform for ongoing education and upskilling, whether formal, informal or through experimentation. This not only keeps the team’s capabilities up-to-date but also fosters an environment of intellectual growth, curiosity and stimulation

Encourage innovation and experimentation: Evolving an OSS / BSS product suite in creative ways requires a safe space for trial and error within the team. Not only in a technical sense, but a culture where innovative ideas are welcomed and explored, regardless of their outcome

Collaboration and knowledge sharing: OSS / BSS and the technology stacks they interact with span vast fields of excellence. The OSS / BSS tech estate is now vast and complex to an extent where the multitude of problems are unlikely to be conquered by a lone genius. Instead, it requires the promotion of an open environment where ideas are freely exchanged rather than hoarded and team members actively learn from each other

 

4. Leveraging intellect for ongoing product development

Staying ahead of the curve: It’s no longer possible to design from a position of existing knowledge. The technology estate is advancing in so many different directions that new research and seeking of new possibilities can lead to a competitive advantage. An intellectually capable team that’s encouraged to scan the market can anticipate industry trends and changes, keeping the company's products ahead of competitors

Customised Solutions: Superior intellect allows for the creation of tailored solutions that meet specific customer needs, a crucial aspect in the OSS / BSS space.

 

5. Understanding challenges and adapting solutions

Managing egos: In an industry like OSS / BSS where a high level of intellect, there can be a culture of intellectual superiority and strong egos. It’s important to cultivate a collaborative environment where all ideas are valued and individual brilliance can be built upon by the brilliance of others as well. It’s the achievements of the team and teamwork that is to be cultivated

Balancing innovation with practicality: While innovation is crucial, it must be balanced with the practical aspects of product development and market needs. This often needs a diversity of skill-sets. Just as a theoretical physicist needs lab technicians or Engineers to build experiments to test their theories, OSS / BSS teams may also need a combination of experimental theories and practical implementations

Opportunities to ensure continuous growth: Leaders need to keep challenging the team with new projects, technologies and problems to ensure continuous intellectual growth and engagement.

The importance of diverse and talented teams in developing OSS/BSS products

The creation of OSS / BSS products requires a diversity of talents that extend beyond just technical skills. It also demands a workforce that brings more than just superior intellect to the table. As Yann LeCun observed, working with intellectually superior individuals can be both enriching and elevating, but it’s not just the intellect in isolation that allows this to occur. By recruiting the right talent, fostering an environment that values intellectual growth, teamwork and leveraging this intellect in product development, companies can lead the way in innovation and efficiency in the telecom industry. When the goal is to build OSS / BSS solutions that are not just functional but revolutionary, setting new standards in the industry relies on building a champion team, not just a team of champions.