In ev’ry job that must be done
There is an element of fun
you find the fun and snap!
The job’s a game

And ev’ry task you undertake
Becomes a piece of cake

In graduate school several years ago at Buffalo State College, I took a couple of creative problem solving courses and they truly changed my perspective both personally and professionally.  I had no idea that the concept of brainstorming was invented right here in my hometown, Buffalo, New York, forever influencing the way we think through solutions and innovate our businesses and ourselves.

Last week I attended my first Creative Problem Solving Institute Annual Conference (CPSI), a program of the Creative Education Foundation. Fuerst Consulting Corporation had the honor of being the Foundation’s pro bono marketing communications partner. We proudly secured a media partnership with the Buffalo News – thank you Carol Horton and your fantastic team!

Hundreds of people from across the globe descended on Buffalo to immerse themselves in a week of focused creativity and innovation. Imagine the amount of energy in the room – that energy permeated my mind and all I can think about it how I can put that to work for my business, my clients and my personal relationships. Our relationships are the core to all we do and for those that know me, you can attest to my commitment to each and every one.

During my time at CPSI, I met some incredible people, made some new contacts and most of all, discovered ingenious ways to live life and focus my business. Among the highlights, was a refresher course on tools and techniques I can teach and utilize in my strategic planning sessions and I can’t wait to do that. More importantly, I learned that in order to truly innovate and set ourselves apart from the crowd, we must think creatively and challenge those around us to do that same.

So if you still don’t recognize the lyrics at the beginning of this post, just remember that the great Mary Poppins taught us that a spoonful a sugar helps the medicine go down. I can assure you that if Ms. Poppins attended CPSI she would encourage you to try a spoonful of creativity to make your strategy stand out. Let’s talk and make that happen for your business.