Stories and Strategies from Real Life: 12/26/14

  |   Stories & Strategies from Real Life Print Friendly and PDF

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 Marty’s Waffles, Mattel, YouTube, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, and Steinway.

From Amanda Van Benschoten: Marty’s Waffles finds recipe for success

“After trying Taste of Belgium waffles for the first time a few years ago, Marty Meersman figured he might be able to replicate the recipe at home for his family. So his kids bought him a waffle iron for his birthday in 2011, and he started experimenting in his suburban Campbell County kitchen.”

From Paul Ziobro: Floundering Mattel Tries to Make Things Fun Again

“After a tough year, maker of Barbie and Hot Wheels overhauls conference-room culture so it can get back to thinking about toys.”

From Jonathan Mahler: YouTube’s Chief, Hitting a New ‘Play’ Button

“The site is a huge cultural force, but an unfulfilled economic one. Susan Wojcicki’s mission is to change that.”

From Wharton: How Disruption Is Creating Opportunity in Higher Education

“Nunzio Quacquarelli founded QS Quacquarelli Symonds in 1990 while still a student at Wharton. The firm is a leading global provider of higher education and career information solutions. Quacquarelli takes pride in the fact that he has grown his original company and, after 24 years, works with 2,000 higher education institutions and 12,000 employers. QS produces the annual ‘Global 200 Business Schools: The Employers’ Choice and the World University Rankings’ report.”

From Zack O. Greenburg: Piano Forte: Inside Steinway’s Century-Spanning Business

“Originally built by Steinway in 1877, the piano was eventually returned to the Motor City, where it remains today. The tale mirrors the story of Steinway itself. Founded by Henry Engelhard Steinway in 1853, it’s the largest manufacturer of any sort in New York City today, thanks to a restoration of its own over the years.”

Join The Conversation

What People Are Saying

There are no comments yet, why not be the first to leave a comment?