In 2006 IBM Global Business Services published a study which focused on CEOs' view of innovation. The research included interviews with 765 CEOs, Business Executives and Public Sector leaders across the globe, representing organizations of all sizes, in every significant industry. To be most successful, CEOs indicated that responsibility for innovation throughout the organization must be widely distributed. Collaboration -- both internal and external -- has emerged as a critical success factor for innovation; and for innovation to become part of the fabric of an organization, they must foster a culture of creativity that rewards individual contributors. This session will provide a synopsis of IBM’s global study and how Lean Sigma can be used to drive the innovation and growth agenda through collaboration, strategic project selection, and the deployment of key critical success factors. Best practices and case studies from leading innovators, including IBM, will be included.