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 Under Armour, Kohl’s, Louis Hoffmann Co., 3D printing, Eric Martin, carlos Tavares, and Peugeot.

From Marie Driscoll: Making Athletes Better, Socially

“With its core customers (and most consumer goods companies for that matter) spending more and more time across different screens, platforms, networks and content providers, the Under Armour challenge is how to be relevant and keep them engaged. Plank and his executive team were genius to leave the IT development to the engineers and focus on Under Armour’s real competency: connecting with athletes, and making them better.”

From Hayley Peterson: A department store no one talks about is beating Wal-Mart, Amazon, and TJ Maxx

“Department store chain Kohl’s is women’s favorite place to shop for clothes, according to a new Piper Jaffray report on female shoppers’ spending habits.”

From Rick Barrett: Firm combines 3-D printing with ancient foundry method

“A century-old Menomonee Falls firm that’s done custom metal work for some of the nation’s most prestigious buildings has combined 3-D printing and an ancient foundry process for a project at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.”

From Jacob Adelman: Fortune awaits man who won shopping site competition

“Eric Martin, 28, has tried his hand at day trading, running for Congress, and designing kids’ games. None of those efforts came to much. But his latest scheme could soon make him an Internet multimillionaire.”

From Jason Chow: Peugeot CEO Uses Cost Cuts to Turn Corner on Profitability

“‘There was disarray. People were working like hell, but the methods weren’t appropriate,’ said the 56-year-old former race-car test driver. Employees, from the factory floor to sales teams, lacked proper benchmarks, and much effort was wasted as the company drifted farther behind the competition, he said.”