by Carla Johnson | Aug 12, 2026 | Creativity, Innovation
If you’ve perused the cereal aisle lately, you’ve noticed there’s a lot of choices. A LOT. Almost 5,000 to be exact. How does a newcomer like Surreal make a dent in a cereal universe that size? Ideally with celebrity endorsements. At least,...
by Carla Johnson | May 19, 2026 | Creativity, Innovation
In every brainstorm I’ve been in, there’s a point when the room quits posturing and people finally loosen up. Maybe someone unbuttons their collared shirt. Or somebody kicks off their shoes. Sits criss-cross-applesauce on the floor and leans back to...
by Carla Johnson | Apr 20, 2026 | Creativity, Innovation
HKS Architects designed a skyscraper that’s actually a sky cleaner. Liquid Death turned water into a cult brand. Meadow reimagined the supply chain by repurposing the aluminum beverage can. Paper company Avery Dennison is reducing food waste. Diplo turned 5k...
by Carla Johnson | Jan 26, 2026 | Creativity, Curiosity, Innovation
I’m in Brussels maneuvering between people as I meander down the aisles of booths at the conference tradeshow. I’d just had coffee with someone who caught me as I stepped off stage. That’s when I bumped up against the Tony’s Chocoloney’s...
by Carla Johnson | Nov 3, 2025 | Communication, Creativity, Innovation, Sales
Back in the 1970s, McDonald’s faced a simple problem: people ordered burgers, but not much else. Sales had plateaued, and the company needed a way to boost revenue without changing the menu or raising prices. So they tried something new. They trained every employee to...
by Carla Johnson | Sep 27, 2025 | Corporate Culture, Creativity, Innovation
The late country music star Toby Keith was riding in a golf cart with Clint Eastwood at Pebble Beach when he asked…“You’re 88. You’re directing, acting, producing… how do you keep going like this?”Clint didn’t even blink.“Every day when I wake up, I just don’t...
