Why did the industrial revolution begin in England, instead of, say, France or Germany? Two economists offer an explanation. They say the reason is Britain had more “tweakers”—skilled engineers and artisans who refined the signature inventions of the industrial age.

Good ideas aren’t hard to find. As long as you’ve got smart and creative people, there should be plenty of ideas. What’s hard is follow-through. Two examples: making the Rolling Stones album “Sticky Fingers” and Mick Jagger writing “Brown Sugar.”

Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry first noticed the need for their company when they shared a house with three friends. In looking for cleaning products that didn’t have harsh, toxic ingredients, Ryan and Lowry came up empty-handed. Thus the idea for Method home-cleaning products was kindled.

To paraphrase business writer Daniel Pink, the future will belong to those who can flex, adapt, empathize, tell stories and create. Theater performers, whose stock in trade is flexibility, adaptability and creativity, could teach us a thing or two.