HIGH-TECH SNEAKERS That Combine Style and Performance
Ever since Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman decided to press rubber soles in a waffle iron, sneaker companies have developed innovative
HOW TO BE ‘GREAT AT WORK’ A Guide for Peak Workplace Performance technology to improve performance. The results from these experiments have ranged from the sublime (Nike’s Air series) to the ridiculous (the Reebok Pump). These days, sneaker tech is more advanced than ever before. Here are some of the latest and greatest advances from the world of athletic footwear. ADIDAS BOOST SOLES This German apparel giant worked with chemical company BASF to develop a sole made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The goal of the technology, known as BOOST, is to provide optimal energy return for runners. Hundreds of tiny TPU capsules are pressed together to create BOOST soles, which you can now find in dozens of Adidas sneaker designs. NIKE FLYKNIT UPPERS Nike debuted its Flyknit line at the 2012 London Olympics. In its first iteration, Flyknit technology allowed for knitted, one-piece uppers that were lightweight and breathable. This year, Nike debuted the latest version of Flyknit, with uppers “constructed in a complete 360-degree form that wraps the entire foot.” In addition to comfort and responsiveness, the Flyknit design allows for a multi-colored aesthetic unlike anything else on the market. At some point in your career, you’ve probably heard the well-worn maxim to “work smarter, not harder.” While it’s catchy advice, what does working smarter really entail? Early in his new book “Great at Work: How Top Performers Do Less, Work Better, and Achieve More,” Morten T. Hansen provides a precise definition of what working smart looks like. “To work smart,” he writes, “means to maximize the value of your work by selecting a few activities and applying intense targeted effort.” Hansen spent five years studying scores of companies and thousands of documents in hopes of pinpointing the principles underlying exceptional performance. “Great at Work,” though, doesn’t read like a dry, theoretical dissertation. The book contains compelling examples from the past and present. Hansen deftly discusses how Michelin-star sushi chefs and Alfred Hitchcock illustrate the seven practices he identifies as key components of excelling at work. Among those seven principles are “Do Less, Then Obsess,” and “Redesign Your Work.” Each of these concepts is explained fully and backed by reams of data. “Great at Work” is no quick cash grab designed to capitalize on a trend; it’s a comprehensive analysis of the traits behind performance. If you’ve ever felt like you’re working harder but not getting as much done, “Great at Work” will prove insightful, compelling, and transformative.
AFFORDABLE, ETHICAL FASHION ISN’T IMPOSSIBLE EVERLANE BREAKS THE INDUSTRY MOLD Fashion companies used to fall into one of two categories; You were either a fast-fashion mega-retailer like H&M and Zara, valuing low cost above all else; or a designer line like Gucci or Versace, making no effort to cater to non-wealthy consumers. Shoppers looking for ethically sourced, affordable clothing didn’t have many options. That is, until Everlane showed up and flipped the industry on its head. When you go to the Everlane website, you’ll find the de rigeur tabs for women and men, but you’ll also encounter something surprising: a page devoted to factories. The company carefully selects the factories it works with and provides workers fair wages and safe conditions. Most clothing companies would rather keep information about their labor conditions out of their marketing, but not Everlane. They believe in an attitude of radical transparency, providing customers with as much information about their garments as possible. That philosophy extends, shockingly, to the company’s pricing structure. Every single garment Everlane sells comes with a cost breakdown. You can see how much the materials, labor, transport, and duties cost, along with a price comparison between Everlane and traditional retailers. While traditional apparel retailers normally mark up items 5–6 times, Everlane sticks to a markup of 2–3 times. While Everlane now sells a wide array of garments, they began with one simple, everyday item. “We started with a T-shirt,” says CEO Michael Preysman. “The honest truth is that there are many great T-shirts out there. How are we different? We make them in L.A.and sell them for $16. And that was a really an important part of the mission — to create that great quality product and offer it at a great price.” What Everlane has found is that customers are willing to spend a little more for increased quality and a product they can be proud to wear. The stories behind Everlane’s clothes are as integral to the brand as the items themselves, and their mission of radical transparency has won countless fans.
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