Wow, what a tough question. I remember early on on the articles on Brand You and how they affected my thinking about my career. I'm sure those have remained in the back of my mind throughout my career as I've worked to expand my own abilities and looked for projects to work on that give me broader experience and deeper knowledge of trends and changes within my industry.

Beyond that, however, are articles like the one on Dr. V., who recently died. Those have made me step back and think more about what I'm doing and, more importantly, why. I think that is Fast Company at it's finest and the reason it stays on my reading list no matter what.

Richard

I was introduced to Fast Company while reading, "Simply Strategic Stuff!", a book on strategy and planning for the church. As a pastor it is difficult to think both theologically and strategically. The book recommend reading Fast Company, so I quickly added it to my Google home page.

Fast Company routinely causes me to think strategically, creatively and ahead of other leaders around me. I don't have one stand out article, however, the articles that speak to multiplying my leadership efforts and building into others are especially impacting to me.

rob

It's kind of like asking what my favorite song is.

Being in the industry, I always enjoy articles on advertising and media...but I have to live that stuff every day...so diversion is always welcome.

The articles that take me out of my little "bubble" and allow me to think freely...without the use of, what Dan Aykroyd as President Carter in SNL termed "Orange Sunshine"...are those related to product development and design.

Specifically, I can't think of anything at this moment. I know I'm not being a big help, David...but that is quite the loaded question. I will go back to the archives and report back soon.

Hi, My introduction to Fast Company was through an article that appeared in 2003 called 'The New Face of Global Competition'. At the time the article appeared, discussions on job losses and backlash had already heated up. But, this article, unlike any of the others, brought into light the true face, the character, and the personality of what global competition really means. I think for the first time the US saw the personality of India and emerging companies like Wipro rather than mere figures, data and dollar values. I was not surprised that the story created a furore, and several blogs and websites decided to post comments on it. While I reserve my opinion on offshore outsourcing and job losses, to me that story represents Fast Company, the ability to go deep into the dungeon to bring out the truth, rather than shallow stories based on telephonic conversations.

Robin Louis

Robin

A Betty Boop-meets-Godzilla cartoon woman/freak, HR emblazoned on her chest, tearing the snot out of people-shaped stuffed toys, right next to the cover page scream of "Why We Hate HR."

I should have hated this article. As a trainer by trade, I was primed to lash out blindly as the author kicked sand in my profession's face. Sure, I was mad at first. But a good article should help you get better, even if it makes you feel worse for a time.

This is my favorite FC article not just for what it said, but for what it made me do. It made me get over myself, relearn my approach to my profession, and refocus my efforts on making my clients better, even if that meant their butt never sank reluctantly into a training room chair again.

This article has received its share of criticism and praise, and that is good. My profession has received more of the former than the latter of late, and that is reality. If I, and my industry, see the article as anything less than the golden chance for change that it is, that will be a tragedy...one made by a lack of courage than by a cover page cartoon.

Quite simply, the December 2003 article, “The Wal-Mart You Don’t Know,” by Charles Fishman, impacted both my professional and personal belief system. Professionally, the economic impact of ethically questionable price negotiations and strong arm strategies were certainly never a part of my corporation’s typical business tactics; however, the larger economic consideration I now put into price shoppting, vendor bids and budget appropriations began after reading this article.

Additionally, Wal-Mart has continued to be in the news (even last month) for a number of outrageous practices both with regard to trade and basic human resources. Calling on this Fast Company article in my personal public relations endeavor to inform any friends, family and their larger social network about the serious reasons to consider a company’s business tactics when patronizing their store has been a great value. Thank you for the depth and breadth of information in this stellar article!

It all started in a Laundry Mat, with Seth Godin's "Purple Cow" article, but I must admit, I've never have been in touch with something that propelleded me in so many intelligent directions. Almost everyone bit of business knowledge I pursue, whether it's on the web or book-wise can be traced back to FC. Thank you Fast Company.

Yep. Purple Cow. That's the one.

Those of you who have read the book would probably like "A New Brand World" by Scott Bedbury, too.

zanger

My favorite FC article to date is The Beauty of Simplicity from Issue 100, November 2005.

Without question - Issue 35, June 2000, Page 168 - "Why Can't We Get Anything Done?" by Alan Webber. I have a copy on the wall of my office, and I reference quotes from it every week. "Enlightened trial and error outperforms the planning of flawless intellects" and "If you want the future to be better than the present, you have to start working on it immediately" are two of the best. I also love the section "Professor Otis Redding will now address the class".