Fast Company is the world’s leading progressive business media brand, with a unique editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership, world changing ideas, and design. Written for, by, and about the most progressive business leaders, Fast Company inspires readers to think beyond traditional boundaries, lead conversations, and create the future of business.
from the editor.
Stuck in the Middle • Corporate life has changed irrevocably as a result of the pandemic—and the person at the center of it is the mid-level manager.
SANDWICH GENERATION • Showrunners love to hate middle management. But behind these exaggerated characters, there are some essential truths. Here, a brief catalog of managers in pop culture.
Reimagining everyday play • SPIN MASTER SCOURS THE GLOBE TO FIND THE NEXT BIG THING IN CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT
Veterans are a valuable resource in the battle for technology talent • ALONG WITH EXISTING TECH SKILLS, VETERANS BRING OTHER VALUABLE ASSETS TO THE TABLE
Mellow Yellow • A classic card game and a classic movie come together.
Iconic Icons
My Daily Media Diet
The pharmacy, reimagined • AS IT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE NEW SERVICES ACROSS THE HEALTHCARE SPECTRUM, WALGREENS IS BECOMING MUCH MORE THAN A NEIGHBORHOOD DRUGSTORE
Game-Day Playlist • Kevin Love, basketball player, Cleveland Cavaliers
Empowering what’s next in creativity • WESTERN DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE OPENS DOORS FOR CREATORS OF ALL STRIPES
r. my operating system. • Professional gaming streamer and 100Thieves team co-owner Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter takes our career questionnaire.
The Best Board Games
Helping caregivers rejoin the workforce • AUDIBLE IS CREATING PATHWAYS BACK TO EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE READY TO START THEIR NEXT CHAPTER
One hundred best workplaces for innovators • From airlines to user-created games, fintech to pharmaceuticals, our fourth annual list of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators—created in collaboration with Accenture—spans a wide range of industries, shining a light on companies from 13 countries that have designed and implemented the infrastructure to nurture bright ideas from all corners of their organizations.
Innovation that’s more than skin deep • DERMALOGICA’S IDEA-DRIVEN CORPORATE CULTURE HAS LED TO HIGH-TECH TEACHING TOOLS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN SUSTAINABILITY
Bettering the business of builders everywhere • MILWAUKEE TOOL IS HARNESSING HIGH-TECH INNOVATIONS TO CREATE SMARTER—AND SAFER—WORKSITES
New ideas that help sick kids in need • THE FUNDRAISING ORGANIZATION ALSAC RECOGNIZES THE VALUE OF ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEE-DRIVEN INNOVATION
Innovation Team of the Year
A big assist for small businesses • AMERICAN EXPRESS REDEFINED BUSINESS EDUCATION TO MEET THE URGENT NEEDS OF PANDEMIC-STRICKEN CUSTOMERS
Innovative Leader of the Year
Supply chain success story • WITH ITS INNOVATIVE OPEN-NETWORK MODEL, AMERICAN EAGLE IS MAPPING THE FUTURE OF LOGISTICS
Methodology
Games that fuel innovation • AN EMPLOYEE COMPETITION BASED ON A HIT TV SHOW IS ONE WAY ALEX LEE IS SPARKING INTERNALLY DEVELOPED IDEAS
Closing the health equity gap • ATHENAHEALTH TURNS TO ITS EMPLOYEES TO HELP COMBAT THE EFFECTS OF BIAS IN THE HEALTHCARE ECOSYSTEM
THE JUDGES
Other Winners by Category
Engineering a turnaround • DBS BANK NEEDED TO CHANGE-AND IT USED INNOVATION AS A TRANSFORMATIONAL CATALYST
THE MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE IN BUSINESS 2022
MARGRETHE VESTAGER • EVP of A Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Competition, European Commission
ASAD AYAZ • President of marketing, Walt Disney Studios
JESSICA LEE GAGNÉ • Cinematographer
DIARRHA N DIAYE-MBAYE •...