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

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.

More Innovation Espresso ®

Giving Back

Giving Back

Every year my family gives an award to outstanding graduate students at the Center for Applied Imagination. Meet this year’s recipients.

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When Mirrors and Elevators Got Married

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...

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Drive a tractor. Get creative.

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.

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Have a Taste Before You Light Up

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...

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Innovation in Fort Collins, CO

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.

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Don’t Get Fat. Hire A Facilitator.

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.

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Innovation in the Church with Father Jack Ledwon hosted by Dr. Roger Firestien

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.

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Talk to your dog if you want to get creative

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....

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Want to get new ideas?  Set a quota.

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...

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Video: Innovation in Agriculture with SK Herefords hosted by Dr. Roger Firestien

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.

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