“Making the Invisible Visible brings principles and practices of innovation to life through an approachable and thoughtful process. This is not merely a book, it is truth. I have experienced Robert Rosenfeld's work in practice. He has a unique ability to blend the realities of business environments with the truths of human nature so that real innovation can happen. His approach works--it supports how innovation can make a positive influence to both people and the bottom line of an organization.”

“Bob Rosenfeld, a dedicated and passionate ombudsman for ideas and the people who have them, has finally set down in book format his true wealth of knowledge about the innovation process. Bob's insights come from more than 25 years of practicing the craft of innovation within large organizations both as an employee and as a consultant. It is time for many more people to come to know and understand this truth if innovation is successful on a regular basis.”

“I have begun to browse through your book. From my initial look it appears to capture the very essence of explaining what innovation is all about. Most books I have reviewed are complex and far too abstract in addressing the process and fail to provide clarity by breaking it down to an applicable level the way you have. I am not at all surprised by any of this. Your ability to take on challenging complicated subjects and get to the heart of it all and provide a vehicle for a results- oriented outcome is something for which you have an obvious gift.
Congratulations...certainly a must read for all who desire to learn more about innovation and how it really functions. ”

“Welcome to the world of management beyond objectives. Just as Yoda guided Luke Skywalker to experience the power of the force within, Mr. Rosenfeld leads his readers to a powerful awareness of untapped potential waiting to emerge from our respective organizations. With relevant examples, Bob reveals what we often fail to consider via a practical algorithm designed to unleash the reservoir of human capital. This short but meaningful read suggests a logical path to greater value creation for your company and a step toward self actualization for the reader as well.”

“In the crowded field of innovation books, this work stands out as a work of wisdom.

As the title suggests, it is a book that "reveals." What I find unique is that it reveals what is often profound in a manner that makes it seem self-evident.

Simply and with great lucidity, the book teaches the rarely touched on (and seldom researched) topic of the processes that sustain innovation. Given the extreme current emphasis on innovation (yet the butterfly-like lifespan of most corporate innovation centers) sustainable innovation is a topic that must be considered of high importance.

What practices? The practices of taking what is "human" into account. By starting with the central role human hopes and fears (pleasure and pain) play relative to innovation, Rosenfeld unlocks a useful and fresh approach to solving the issues that result from the positive and negative relationships creators have with their environment. In retrospect: it seems obvious that if patents result from creativity, and creativity results from a certain "fearlessness;" then reducing fear and anxiety and increasing confidence will lead to an increase in the number of creative solutions. Yet few books on corporate innovation tackle this issue head-on.

By grouping eight essential principles into two sections (innovation essence and innovation environment), Rosenfeld lays a foundation for innovation as a dialogue between creator and environment. Unlike innovation practitioners who focus on structures, Rosenfeld's emphasis on relationships and process provides a highly adaptable and more widely applicable model. But this is not a work of speculation. The author grounds the teaching in his rich personal experience (starting as founder of Eastman Kodak Company’s Office of Innovation and continuing for another 25 years) and  teaches  with tangible examples.

Once a "feel" for the chapter topic is inspired by the illustrative examples, Rosenfeld reveals the underlying, invisible principle which will determine whether an innovation succeeds or fails at a particular stage. There are eight such principles which  function as chapter titles.

The first part "The Innovation Process: Its Essence" takes the reader down the road of how to innovate. Principles covered in the first section are: "Innovation Starts When...You Turn…Problems Into Ideas,"  "Passion Is The Fuel And Pain Is The Hidden Ingredient," "Co-Locate For Effective Exchange," and "Leverage Differences." By the end of the first section, the book has focused the reader on the human needs at the heart of innovation.

The second part "The Innovation Process: Its Environment" covers what an organization must do to sustain and extract value from innovation: “The Elements Of Destruction Are Present At Creation,” “Soft Values Drive the Organization,” “Trust Is The Means And Love The Unspoken Word.”

Regardless of whether you are a seasoned innovation practitioner or novice, I predict you will find yourself nodding agreement as you see one useful insight after another bound into in a single, coherent view of innovation as ecology. My particular favorite from many candidates: the importance and need for innovation champions in the western corporation.

The final chapter -- given Rosenfeld's holistic emphasis -- naturally addresses “Putting It All Together.”

In keeping with the intent of making the book useful in an ongoing manner, Rosenfeld supplies some especially practical Appendices, such as the Summary in Appendix A: which enables memory "jogging."

In summary, Bob Rosenfeld has crafted a work of wisdom and a useful tool for anyone  wishing to enhance their own innovative potential, the potential of their organization and the ability of both to benefit. ”