Book excerpt: Within manufacturing, Lean has lead to significant results throughout the world. But what happens when Lean meets Innovation? Is the needed creativity destroyed, or can Lean make the results of the organization even better? In Lean Innovation, Claus Sehested and Henrik Sonnenberg reveal how a managed iteration between creativity and effectiveness can ensure that the visions of top management are realized through the innovation processes. Lean can elevate the innovation processes to a new level where they become a true strategic differentiator. The authors address the key challenges facing leaders of knowledge organizations, and present a number of principles which they can use to bring more leadership into the innovation work. They also discuss methods which can increase result focus and continuous learning in the core innovation processes. The book contains specific and practical examples from five companies who started on a Lean Innovation journey. Innovation Insights from Apple, Google, Toyota, IDEO and others are also included.