In The Innovation Formula, Amantha Imber offers an abundance of information, insights, and counsel about establishing and then nourishing a workplace culture within which innovation is most likely to thrive. In fact, there is no “formula” for creating an idea that leads to a breakthrough innovation. Such ideas can occur anywhere any time and often from a most unlikely source.

Imber fully understands that. Her purpose in this book is to the importance of  environment rather process and that is best illustrated by an incident that I learned about decades ago. One of the French Romantic poets (probably Baudelaire) was asked how to write a poem. He paused, then responded, “Draw a birdcage and leave the door open. Then wait. Be patient. Eventually, if you are very, very lucky, a small bird may fly through the open door. Then erase the cage.”

The material in The Innovation Formula is organized within four Parts, with a separate chapter devoted to each of the 14 science-based keys for creating a workplace culture within which innovation is most likely to thrive. The keys are best revealed with Imber’s narrative, in context.

It is no coincidence that the companies annually ranked among those that are most innovative are also annually ranked among those that are most highly admired, the best to work for, most profitable, and have the greatest cap value in their industry segment.

To paraphrase Sam Jackson, “What’s in your birdcage?”