Some of the best learning happens when you read stories about real people and real companies. Read them for ideas, for lessons, and inspiration. This week’s stories and strategies from real life are about Lorenzo Zambrano, Rebecca Minkoff, MN8 Foxfire, Sony, and Ziebart.

From The Economist: Lorenzo Zambrano: Enlightened conquistador

“CEMEX has long been a household name in Mexico, its blue and red colours emblazoned on football shirts as well as concrete mixers. The genius of Lorenzo Zambrano, who died unexpectedly in Madrid on May 12th, aged 70, was to turn Cemex into a name known and respected around the world.”

From Teresa Novellino: Rebecca Minkoff CEO Uri Minkoff on how technology built fashion brand

“In the fashion world, Rebecca Minkoff has built its brand in part by interacting with customers in ways that were unprecedented. Now, as the company announces a plan to move into retail stores, CEO Uri Minkoff explains how he and his sister Rebecca did it.”

From Dan Horn: Maker of firefighter gear now a small business star

“Green, founder and president of MN8 Foxfire, shook his head and laughed. No one is more amazed than he is by his quick rise from struggling entrepreneur to one of Greater Cincinnati’s small-business success stories.”

From Wharton: Sony at a Crossroads: Why ‘Muddling Through’ Is No Longer Enough

“The hard reality for Sony Corp., decades after its innovation and marketing made it a household name worldwide, is that the company is no longer a leading global brand in electronics.”

From Tom Walsh: Ziebart rebrands but doesn’t abandon its roots in rust

“Like many companies where the initial products later become commoditized or outdated by advancing technologies, Ziebart —whose memorable slogan was ‘It’s Us or Rust’ — has wrestled with its legacy as a rustproofing outfit.”