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 Zara, Eddie Bauer, Pepsico, Coke, and Quirky.

From Patricia Kowsmann: Fast Fashion: How a Zara Coat Went From Design to Fifth Avenue in 25 Days

“Few have been able to replicate the design-to-store pace that has made Inditex the sales leader”

From the Oregonian: Eddie Bauer faces tough climb to reclaim former heights

“Eddie Bauer recently launched a national marketing campaign featuring its first TV ad in years and emphasizing the company’s roots and transformation into an ‘active outdoor lifestyle brand.’ If that sounds familiar, well, it is.”

From Mike Esterl: PepsiCo Wants to Sell Healthy Food, Consumers Want Chips

“The food and beverage giant says it wants to make more ‘good for you’ snacks, but much of its revenue growth comes from high-fat, high-salt standbys such as Doritos and Cheetos”

From Shelly Banjo: Coke’s New CEO Needs to Shake It Up

“Quincey isn’t some outsider tapped to stir things up; he’s spent the past 20 years running various parts of the business. But he may be forced to do some stirring, if he wants to succeed at running one of the world’s most iconic companies just as consumers are shifting away from the sugary drinks on which it built its business.”

From Sebastian K. Fixson and Tucker J. Marion: A Case Study of Crowdsourcing Gone Wrong

“For those who believe in the promise of open innovation, the 2009 startup Quirky was an exceptionally exciting company. Founded by entrepreneur Ben Kaufman, Quirky developed a platform that connected the company with outside inventors and project contributors. Within a few years, the company built a community of over a million members, commercialized over 100 products, and raised over $180 million in venture capital funding. Yet, in September 2015, Quirky went bankrupt.”