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 WD-40, Twitter, Unilever, Nurture Life, and Shake Shack.

From Bill Taylor: How WD-40 Created a Learning-Obsessed Company Culture

“In the research for my book, Simply Brilliant, I spent time with lots of leaders with big ideas about the future. But none of them was as determined as Garry Ridge, CEO of the WD-40 Company, to keep learning as fast as the world is changing. Indeed, I’m not sure I’ve met a CEO who has made learning more central to the corporate culture than Ridge has, or has found more ways to develop a thirst for learning among his colleagues. How he is confronting the ‘paradox of expertise’ offers lessons for long-established organizations in all sorts of fields.”

From the Economist: Twitter in retweet

“It is too late for the social-media firm to become the giant that people once expected.”

From Tanya Dua: Filling an innovation void: Why Unilever is trying to buy innovation

“Unilever has announced its acquisition of Seventh Generation, a Vermont-based brand known for its eco-friendly cleaning products. The snapping up of Seventh Generation is the CPG giant’s latest attempt to broaden its brand portfolio and expand its reach in specific categories, coming on the heels of its acquisition of razor startup Dollar Shave Club earlier this summer and amid reports that it is also interested in purchasing consumer-products retailer Honest Co.”

Thanks to Smartbrief on Leadership for pointing me to this story

From Jim Dallke: Nurture Life founders Steven Minisini, Jennifer Chow left San Francisco for Chicago

“Tech industry veterans Steven Minisini and Jennifer Chow had a choice to make when launching Nurture Life, their subscription food delivery startup for kids: remain in Silicon Valley, where they were currently based, or return to Chicago, where Chow was born and Minisini spent several years as the founder of a consulting firm. But it was more than their affection for the Windy City that had them wanting to relocate to Chicago.”

From Hillary Dixler,: It’s Shake Shack’s World, You’re Just Eating In It

“Across the country, fine-dining chefs are considering going casual — very casual. Counter-service restaurants dominate Eater’s list of the most eagerly awaited openings this fall. This is in no small thanks to the three men gathered in an office overlooking New York City’s Union Square.”

Thanks to Smartbrief on Leadership for pointing me to this story