The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Comparing the Financials of Databricks and Snowflake

Tanay’s Newsletter • 82 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance Technology Startups Growth Investments
  1. Databricks is growing faster than Snowflake, with a revenue growth rate of 57% compared to Snowflake's 27%. However, Snowflake remains more profitable at this point.
  2. Databricks is currently valued higher than Snowflake due to its strong growth potential and better positioning in the AI market. This could lead to a significant payoff for them in the long run.
  3. Snowflake and Databricks have different business strategies, with Snowflake focusing on profitability and Databricks investing heavily in growth and product development, especially in AI technologies.

Rethinking Meetings.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 46 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Leadership Meetings Productivity Work Culture Mindset
  1. Meetings should focus on giving rather than just taking. When we approach meetings with a giving mindset, everyone benefits more.
  2. Generosity, empathy, and energy are key to better meetings. By being generous with our knowledge and understanding others' perspectives, we create a positive atmosphere.
  3. End meetings with clarity and a plan. It's important that everyone knows the next steps and feels motivated to take them.

❄️ 🚀 Une grosse annonce à vous faire. Ready ?

Snowball • 2614 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
💼 Business Finance News Technology Crypto Marketing
  1. Snowball+ is a new collective of newsletters focused on personal finance in France, featuring various experts and tools.
  2. The launch price for Snowball+ is 9€ per month or 80€ per year, offering additional content and a diverse range of financial topics.
  3. Existing subscribers to Snowball will experience a price increase soon; new content will be added regularly to Snowball+.

Business Relationships

In My Tribe • 607 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Workplace culture Career development Professional relationships
  1. Your job should be seen like a relationship that you can move on from, not as a marriage. It’s okay to leave a job when you’ve learned what you can and want to grow elsewhere.
  2. Selling a business can feel like watching your child grow up and become independent. You may feel lost afterward, but it’s a chance to explore new passions.
  3. Consider what you enjoy outside of work. If your job isn’t your true passion, find ways to express those interests in your free time instead.

A guide to gift subscriptions and special offers

Substack Blog • 219 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💼 Business Marketing Subscriptions E-commerce Sales Customer Engagement
  1. Gift subscriptions are a great way for your current subscribers to share your work with friends and family during the holidays. It's not just a gift for them, but also helps promote your content.
  2. Special offers and discounts can make subscriptions more appealing for new subscribers. Timing these offers around holidays or relevant events can boost conversions and attract new readers.
  3. Using the holiday season to engage with your audience creatively fosters a sense of community. Celebrating together can help grow your subscriber base and strengthen relationships with existing ones.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Resisting the Enshittification of Work

Make Work Better • 157 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Work Culture Productivity Leadership Trends Employee Wellbeing
  1. Enshittification is when a service becomes worse over time due to profit-focused changes, just like users notice on platforms like Google and Amazon.
  2. Many workers are feeling burnt out and overwhelmed by constant notifications and meetings, leading to a lack of satisfaction at work.
  3. Leaders need to actively improve workplace culture to combat this decline and make work a source of meaning instead of stress.

Demystifying Venture Capital: Realities and Challenges of the sector

The VC Corner • 299 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investment Networking Fundraising
  1. The venture capital market is very crowded, making it hard to find unique investment opportunities. To succeed, it's crucial to stand out from the competition.
  2. Many venture capitalists have never built a company themselves, which may limit their ability to help startups effectively. Practical experience is important in providing useful guidance.
  3. Successful founders are good at raising money quickly so they can spend more time on their products. They focus on building strong connections with the right investors to make fundraising easier.

What they don’t teach you in coach training (but probably should)

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 25 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💼 Business Coaching Entrepreneurship Marketing Finance Professional development
  1. Many coaching programs focus on pure coaching techniques, but real clients often want specific advice and solutions to their problems. Coaches need to understand this difference to succeed.
  2. Combining coaching with mentoring can be valuable. Clients appreciate a mix of self-reflection and practical guidance to achieve their goals.
  3. Success in coaching comes from really knowing your clients’ needs and being flexible in your approach. Building relationships and offering direct help can lead to better outcomes.

Growth vs Scaling

Fish Food for Thought • 10 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Management Finance Growth Strategies
  1. Growth means increasing output by adding more resources, like hiring more staff or spending more money, but it can lead to higher costs too.
  2. Scaling is about growing efficiently without raising costs much. It focuses on making processes better and using technology wisely.
  3. Companies need to know when to grow and when to scale. Successful ones keep checking and adjusting their approach to keep things running smoothly.

Steve Jobs’ 9 Product Development Tactics For Startups & The 4 P’s of AI | VC Jobs

Venture Curator • 339 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
💼 Business Startup Venture Capital Product Development AI
  1. Start with the customer's experience in mind: Steve Jobs emphasized beginning with the customer experience and working backward to the technology.
  2. Avoid asking customers what they want: Instead of focusing on functional needs, look at emotional and social goals to drive innovation.
  3. Disruptive innovation is key: Jobs believed in disrupting industries with low-cost, simpler solutions to stay relevant and drive success.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 32 - cultural differences

The ZIPster • 35 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Management Marketing Cultural differences
  1. Cultural differences matter when expanding a business internationally. It's important to understand local behaviors and attitudes before entering a new market.
  2. Team dynamics can change during business growth and can affect decision-making. Trust issues among shareholders can lead to conflict and hinder progress.
  3. Research and planning are crucial before launching in a new location. Relying on assumptions without adequate market knowledge can result in costly mistakes.

Genapsys Lawsuit!

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
💼 Business Lawsuits Finance Fraud Biotech Investment
  1. A lawsuit is happening involving Genapsys, and it claims the company engaged in serious fraud. This includes manipulating scientific data and misleading investors about its technology and financial health.
  2. The lawsuit highlights issues within the biotech industry, where some companies might exaggerate their capabilities or results. This has made investors more cautious and skeptical of bold claims.
  3. Internal documents suggest the CEO directed employees to present false information during due diligence. This raises questions about trust and honesty in biotech business practices.

Just refund them

Startup Real Talk • 388 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
💼 Business Customer Service Startup Advice Entrepreneurship Business strategy
  1. Refunding unhappy customers quickly can save you time and effort. It's often better to give them what they want instead of arguing.
  2. Fighting over refunds can hurt your reputation. A dissatisfied customer might share their bad experience with others, which could cost you more in the long run.
  3. There are limits to refunds. You shouldn't give back more than the amount paid, and if a customer is extremely dissatisfied, it might be best to part ways.

Erdmann Housing Tracker 2024 in Review (July to December)

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 105 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
💼 Business Housing Market Investment strategy Economic Policy Real Estate Market Analysis
  1. Rising rents are the main cause behind increasing home price-to-rent ratios. This happens when supply is restricted, leading to higher land rents that inflate home values.
  2. Cities with high costs usually face housing shortages because of strict building regulations. They aren't necessarily more desirable but are limited in housing availability.
  3. The mortgage market has changed, favoring higher credit score borrowers, which has reduced access for many potential homeowners. This has led to inflated home prices and keeps housing out of reach for lower-income families.

Big Risks: Catastrophic Risk in Investing and Business

Musings on Markets • 1139 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Risk management Investment strategy Valuation Methods Market behavior Financial Analysis
  1. Catastrophic risks can come from many sources like natural disasters, hacks, or changes in laws. They can seriously threaten a business's survival and impact its value.
  2. It's crucial for business owners to understand how these risks affect their financial situation. They can either be insurable or uninsurable, and knowing this helps in making better decisions.
  3. People often react emotionally to risks, sometimes ignoring them until it's too late. Understanding these reactions can help in making smarter investments and preparing for the worst.

80/20 rule for solo-founders

Tiny Empires • 36 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Growth Strategies Revenue Generation Productivity
  1. Focus on the 20% of your actions that bring in 80% of your results. This helps you work smarter, not harder.
  2. Regularly check which activities make you money, and cut out anything that doesn't contribute. It's about prioritizing the things that actually work.
  3. Spend dedicated time on your top revenue-generating activities each day. Avoid distractions so you can really concentrate on what truly matters.

1.73 million Total Housing Completions in 2024 including Manufactured Homes; Most Since 2006

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 47 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💼 Business Real Estate Market Trends Construction Economic Indicators Housing policy
  1. In 2024, there were 1.73 million housing completions, which is the highest since 2006. This means more homes are now finished and ready for people.
  2. Completions increased by 12.5% compared to the previous year. This is a good sign for the housing market as more homes are being built.
  3. Even without counting manufactured homes, there were still around 1.63 million completions in 2024. This shows a strong upward trend in housing development.

Stages of Board Deck Preparation📝, How to be helpful as a VC📚, Secondary Market VC Funds🔄

The VC Corner • 279 implied HN points • 23 Jun 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investment Strategies Market Trends
  1. Preparing a board deck requires several key stages to make sure everything is clear and organized.
  2. As a venture capitalist, being helpful includes providing valuable insights and support to the startups you invest in.
  3. Secondary market VC funds allow investors to buy and sell stakes in venture funds, providing more flexibility and liquidity.

Corrected Headlines

Human Capitalist • 119 implied HN points • 26 Aug 24
💼 Business Workforce Issues Human Capital Layoffs Diversity
  1. Every news story has more depth than just the headline. It's important to dig deeper to grasp the full context of what is happening.
  2. Major corporate changes, like layoffs and new trends in industries, can greatly impact employees and jobs. These shifts affect people's lives beyond just business numbers.
  3. Engaging with the audience for story suggestions can create a better connection and encourage more interactive discussions about relevant topics.

Liquid vs. Illiquid Careers

Optima & Outliers • 119 implied HN points • 03 Aug 24
💼 Business Career Paths Human Capital Skill development Job Market Professional networking
  1. Some career paths are easier to understand and value than others. For example, working at a well-known company makes it simple for employers to see your worth.
  2. Less conventional career journeys can be harder to evaluate, but they may also lead to unique opportunities. People often favor clear paths, so you might stand out if you're willing to explore the unknown.
  3. Working in a less structured environment means you need to rely on your network and manage risks. Building relationships and being proactive can help you succeed in these careers.

On 40 Hours: A Book For A Time Like This

Day One • 938 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
💼 Business Productivity Self-help Entrepreneurship Personal Finance Marketing
  1. Time is the most valuable asset as it cannot be created or bought back. Focus on utilizing your time effectively to reach your goals.
  2. Distractions such as social media, excess entertainment, and procrastination can hinder progress. Identify them and work towards eliminating them to achieve success.
  3. Prioritize learning from helpful resources and taking action. Choose a few key lessons to implement, banishing distractions until they become part of your daily routine.

State of Pre-Seed🌱, Gulf money is flooding into European startups🌏, Looking for AI use-cases🧐

The VC Corner • 579 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Investments Entrepreneurship Technology
  1. Gulf countries are investing a lot of money into startups in Europe right now. This means European startups have more funding opportunities to grow.
  2. There's a strong interest in finding use-cases for artificial intelligence. Companies are looking for new ways to apply AI technology effectively.
  3. The pre-seed funding stage is important for new businesses to get started. This is when they first seek money to develop their ideas and products.

2,800 jobs to go...

Off to Lunch • 1356 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Economy Industry Politics Environment Retail
  1. Tata Steel is cutting 2,800 jobs in the UK by closing two blast furnaces to shift to electric arc furnaces.
  2. The job cuts are part of a plan to reduce carbon emissions and transform the Port Talbot facility into a center for green steelmaking.
  3. The UK faces a significant drop in retail sales, potentially signaling a risk of falling into a recession.

From Zero to 100 Paid Subscribers on Substack

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1139 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
💼 Business Online Writing Content Monetization Digital Platforms Audience engagement
  1. Your unique voice and perspective are valuable. People will pay for your insights and stories, so embrace your individuality.
  2. Substack allows you to build a direct income from your subscribers. Unlike many other platforms, you can earn consistent money from your loyal audience.
  3. There is a niche for everyone. No matter how unconventional your ideas are, there are people who will relate to and appreciate your work.

TBM 329: Deep vs. Broad Context Traps

The Beautiful Mess • 608 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
💼 Business Management Consulting Psychology Strategy Workplace
  1. Having deep knowledge in one area can make people think their ideas will work everywhere. But different situations need different approaches.
  2. People with broad, but shallow knowledge might see patterns everywhere but miss the unique details that influence outcomes.
  3. It's good to mix deep and broad experiences. Reflecting on your past can help you understand where your beliefs come from and how they fit into different contexts.

The definitive product positioning framework

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 749 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Startups Strategy Sales Product
  1. Choosing the right customer segment is crucial for your product's success. Different segments have different needs, and you need to focus your strategy accordingly.
  2. Positioning isn't something you can just test quickly with A/B tests. It's more of a strategic choice you make at a higher level, affecting how you market and present your product.
  3. Your homepage is the best place to show your product's positioning. It should be clear and accessible, so everyone inside and outside the company understands it.

Meditations on Founder Mode

The Engineering Leader • 79 implied HN points • 08 Sep 24
💼 Business Leadership Management Entrepreneurship Organizational Behavior Strategy
  1. Founder Mode allows leaders to be more hands-on and in touch with their company. This helps them make quick decisions that align with their original vision.
  2. While Founder Mode can be effective in early stages, it doesn't scale well in larger companies because one person can't manage everything.
  3. Great leaders know when to switch between being hands-on and delegating tasks. This flexibility is key to adapting to a company's growth and changing needs.

Issue #12 – The Three Biggest Data Problems Companies Face

The Data Ecosystem • 239 implied HN points • 30 Jun 24
💼 Business Data Management Organizational Structure Process Improvement Data Quality Technology Integration
  1. Companies often struggle with a data operating model that doesn't connect well with their other teams. This leads to isolation among data specialists, making it hard to work effectively.
  2. Data models, which are important for understanding and using data correctly, are often overlooked. When organizations don’t reference these models, they can drift further away from their goals.
  3. Many data quality issues come from deeper problems within the organization, like poor data governance and inconsistent processes. Fixing just the visible data quality issues won't solve the bigger problems.

Ski Lift Pricing and the Lessons from Vail’s Challenge

Gad’s Newsletter • 70 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
💼 Business Economics Pricing Labor Operations Strategy
  1. Skiing in the U.S. is becoming very expensive and often feels exclusive. Many ski resorts focus on making money rather than being inclusive to all skiers.
  2. The Epic Pass has changed how skiing works by giving access to multiple resorts. However, this has led to long wait times and overcrowded slopes, making the skiing experience less enjoyable.
  3. In Europe, ski resorts are often more affordable and competitive, allowing more people to enjoy skiing. This makes skiing feel less like a luxury and more accessible for everyone.

America's Housing Rebound

The Overshoot • 1316 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
💼 Business Housing Real Estate Construction Mortgage Rates Economic Growth
  1. Despite high mortgage rates, construction and renovation spending in the US housing market have been holding steady or accelerating.
  2. Housing sales and construction are greatly impacted by changes in monetary policy and credit availability.
  3. The rebound in house prices and construction reflects the broader growth and asset price acceleration in the US economy post-pandemic.

How TPM Bridge Communication Gaps Between Tech and Non-Tech Teams

Building Rome(s) • 5 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💼 Business Management Communication Collaboration Strategy Development
  1. Technical and non-technical teams often struggle because they don't share a common language. Clear communication is essential for collaboration.
  2. Using the 'Triangle of Translation' (Time, Money, Impact) can help bridge the communication gap. It allows teams to understand each other's priorities better.
  3. Focusing on clarity and empathy in discussions leads to better teamwork and improved product delivery. When everyone speaks the same language, trust is built.