Let’s Create New Knowledge
Dr. Roger Firestien’s Blog, Innovation Espresso ®
and Additional Creative Resources
The Latest:

Solve the Right Problem the Wrong Way
It is better to solve the right problem the wrong way than it is to solve the wrong problem the right way. Find out why in my new book, Solve the Real Problem.
Solve the Right Problem the Wrong Way
It is better to solve the right problem the wrong way than it is to solve the wrong problem the right way. Find out why in my new book, Solve the Real Problem.
Innovation Resources
More Innovation Espresso ®
Let’s take a break from the virus and go to the farm
I want to take you on an eight-minute vacation to one of my favorite places, the farm.
What’s love got to do with creativity? Everything.
What is it that you love? What is it that you are passionate about? What must you do? Whatever it is, do it for love. Do it to make a difference in the world.
I’m not creative. Oh yes, you are.
The number one myth about creativity is that only a few people are creative, and those people are artists and musicians. THIS IS FALSE.
How to Create in a Flash and Create Breakthrough Innovation
Roger talks with Skip Prichard about Creating Breakthrough Innovation for you and your team.
Generating more ideas is NOT the key to innovation. So what is?
If you want creative ideas, you need creative questions. Lots of them. How do you do that? I’ll tell you how.
AFTER the party is over: A lesson for the creative process
On September 19 at the Museum of Science, I officially launched my latest book, Create in a Flash: A leader’s recipe for breakthrough innovation.
Help us make sure that creativity doesn’t get a bad name
I travel on airplanes a lot. You know the airplane routine. You settle into your seat. The plane takes off and the person next to you strikes up a conversation. For me it goes like this…
Giving Back
Every year my family gives an award to outstanding graduate students at the Center for Applied Imagination. Meet this year’s recipients.
Would you be willing to spend $1.50 to save $200,000 a month?
Would you be willing to spend $1.50 to save $200,000 a month? Have I got a deal for you. Read on. No, this isn’t a gimmick. It’s real, it works.
When Mirrors and Elevators Got Married
What problems are staring you right in the face? Did you ever notice that mirrors and elevators usually show up together? I can’t think of a hotel that I have stayed in that didn’t have a mirror near the elevator. Do you know why? In their book, Turning Leaning Right...
Get off your butt and do something: The secret to lifetime creativity
Want to celebrate your 88th birthday AND be incredibly creative? Then do what Ruth does.
[Event] Creating your Future – 7p – 9p Wed March 27 at St. Joseph’s University Parish
Join Dr. Roger Firestien at St. Joseph University Parish on Wednesday, March 27th at 7pm for a free session on Creating Your Future. The difference between the winners and the “also ran” are the visions and powerful images they create about their future. This is true...
A Hippo, A Lightbulb or One Hundred Dollars
The results are in! Thanks to all of you who entered the contest to choose a tagline for my upcoming book. But, wait! There’s more!
Find out how to get a hippo out of a bathtub.
My new book, Create in a Flash has four tag line possibilities. I need your help deciding which one to use. Enter, the Competition.
Drive a tractor. Get creative.
Can cows help you to become more creative? Read on to see how driving a tractor, or herding cattle can increase your creative productivity.
Have a Taste Before You Light Up
Want to sell your new idea? Give your customers a taste first. Lighting designer Philip Colarusso, owner of Luminated Landscapes, lights houses and landscapes. Phil has turned night landscapes into works of art throughout Western New York since 1989. He lit my friends...
Innovation in Fort Collins, CO
I was honored to deliver an Innovation Work Session at the Fort Collins, Colorado All Managers Meeting on October 4. Two hundred fifty leaders in Fort Collins government generated thousands of ideas to help the city maintain and sustain its innovative edge.
Don’t Get Fat. Hire A Facilitator.
Health and fitness trainers are a lot like Creative Problem Solving facilitators. Can you run effective Creative Problem Solving sessions consistently without someone managing the process and keeping the group on track? My experience is, no.
Video: Innovation in Business with Erik Eustice
You have the answer, but you don’t know how to access the answer. You need to bring someone in from the outside who has a proven track record of solving these kinds of problems.
Innovation in the Church with Father Jack Ledwon hosted by Dr. Roger Firestien
Meet Father Jack Ledwon, Pastor at St. Joseph University Parish in Buffalo New York. Several years ago, my graduate students and I worked with St. Joseph University Parish to help them craft a vision for their future. We worked with the Parish leadership team and then conducted a series of town hall meetings with members of the congregation.
Talk to your dog if you want to get creative
by Ashley Cournyea I spend a lot of time talking to my bulldog, Tucker. Whether he understands me is not important, but how he responds is. If am brainstorming for a personal challenge, I tell Tucker everything I come up with. Guess what he does? He defers judgment....
Want to get new ideas? Set a quota.
How many ideas do you need to get a good one? Do you have to come up with hundreds of ideas to get a breakthrough? It all depends on the kinds of ideas you want. If you want to find ways to improve the way you are currently doing business, you will need fewer...
Video: Innovation in Agriculture with SK Herefords hosted by Dr. Roger Firestien
Creativity is desperately needed in agriculture. There’s too much of this of the wine cellar mentality always whining about complaining about too hot too cold out. No no no no. Stop the complaining. Let’s focus on solutions. Let’s be creative. That’s what makes things work. So, it could be used on every farm in this country.
Mastering the Inside Moves of Creative Problem Solving Facilitation at CPSI 2018
Dr. Roger Firestien will be leading a one-day program on June 19 at the 2018 Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI). The program, Mastering the Inside Moves of Creative Problem Solving Facilitation is for anyone who wants to improve their ability to facilitate the Creative Problem Solving Process.
Keynote at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Research Discovery Day
Dr. Roger Firestien will be delivering the keynote address at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Research Discovery Day on May 3 in the Jacobs Research Institute on the BNMC Campus.