The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

I Do Nothing at Work and No One Seems To Notice or Care

antoniomelonio • 987 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Work Culture Employee engagement Job Satisfaction Mental health
  1. Many white-collar workers feel like they do little to no meaningful work, even though they get paid well. This creates a sense of guilt when they see others, like manual laborers, working hard for less pay.
  2. Jobs often seem pointless, defined by layers of bureaucracy and processes that don’t truly serve people. This leads to feelings of alienation and boredom for many in those roles.
  3. There’s a growing concern about the future of work with the rise of AI. Many jobs may become obsolete, raising questions about how society will adapt and what meaningful work will look like.

Where is the Bird?

Who Gets the Bird? • 746 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
💼 Business Labor Movement
  1. The newsletter is going on a hiatus due to personal and external factors.
  2. The content creation process can be replicated with Google alerts, free time, and interest.
  3. The author expresses gratitude to contributors and requests support for staying updated on labor movements.
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AI and economic growth

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
💼 Business Economics Technology Productivity Finance Education
  1. Some technologies improve productivity faster than demand, like food production, while in sectors like healthcare, demand often outpaces productivity.
  2. AI is seen as a general-purpose technology that could eventually boost productivity in areas like healthcare and education, but this might take a long time to happen.
  3. Economic comparisons between different eras can be tricky because the types of goods and services produced change a lot over time.

Why Growth Requires Discomfort

Gad’s Newsletter • 64 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
💼 Business Strategy Leadership Innovation Culture Change Management Growth Talent
  1. Real growth comes from leaving your comfort zone; small, controlled discomforts build skill, confidence, and resilience. Don’t aim for constant overwhelm—seek the right amount of challenge so you can improve without burning out.
  2. Organizations that cling to short-term comfort risk stagnation and failure, so they must be willing to take uncomfortable bets and rethink what works. Investing in long-term projects and new ideas, even when they hurt short-term metrics, creates lasting advantage.
  3. Practical habits help: encourage a culture that challenges the status quo, learn from crises, and balance exploiting today’s strengths with exploring future opportunities. Accept some short-term pain and strategic patience to build long-term growth.

Why Longer (Content) Isn’t Always Better

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 739 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
💼 Business Marketing Content creation Communication Entrepreneurship Digital Media
  1. Short content can be more powerful than long content. It grabs attention quickly and gets straight to the point.
  2. Consistency in creating short content can build a strong following. Regular updates keep readers engaged and coming back for more.
  3. Longer content isn't always necessary to convey a message. Sometimes, less is more, and being concise can be more effective.

What Healthy Boards Look Like

DruGroup • 159 implied HN points • 07 May 24
💼 Business Governance Management Strategy Decision-making Policy
  1. Healthy boards focus on governance, avoiding micromanagement. They concentrate on big-picture decisions rather than getting caught up in daily operations.
  2. Good boards prioritize setting strategic direction over just directing actions. They work on long-term goals instead of getting bogged down in immediate tasks.
  3. Instead of panicking during crises, successful boards take time to think things through. They focus on understanding the situation for lasting solutions rather than quick fixes.

Amateurs talk Algorithms, Professionals talk Data Cleaning

Progress and Poverty • 423 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
💼 Business Data Analysis Real Estate Technology Machine Learning
  1. Good data is more important than fancy algorithms. If your data is messy, even the best technology won't help you.
  2. You should always validate your sales data to remove any incorrect transactions. This helps to ensure accurate appraisals.
  3. Using tools like clustering can simplify the process of checking sales data, making it easier to spot mistakes and focus on valid sales.

Lessons in persuasion from the Father of Advertising

A Bit Gamey • 13 implied HN points • 15 Feb 26
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Copywriting Branding Communication Persuasion Creativity
  1. Big ideas are usually simple and come from a well‑informed mind, so play with ideas, aim high, and look for one clear, memorable insight.
  2. Write plainly to real people — use the language they think, address them as individuals, and favour clarity over cleverness so your words change behaviour.
  3. Be disciplined: test relentlessly, edit your drafts ruthlessly, tell the truth, and repeat what works until it stops selling.

JPM, Stifel, & Lead Bank Join As Speakers at Newcomer Banking Summit

Newcomer • 353 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Banking Startups Venture Capital Financial Technology
  1. JPM, Stifel, and Lead Bank will be speaking at the Newcomer Banking Summit on March 14 in San Francisco.
  2. The event will feature speakers like Jackie Reses, Melissa Smith, and Matt Trotter.
  3. The summit will delve into the impact of the Silicon Valley Bank crisis, the changing landscape of banking for startups, and the future of financial technology companies and banks.

I Am Building an AI-Powered Reverse Incubator

Let's talk games & AI. • 21 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Product AI Operations Fundraising
  1. Build-to-handoff reverse incubator: systematically create startups to about $500K ARR, then recruit a founding team to raise and scale so building becomes a repeatable factory, not a lottery.
  2. AI and repeatable tools speed solo building: AI plus processes and tooling are used to move fast — release, measure, kill — so one person can validate many ideas quickly.
  3. Transparency and open questions remain: the plan is to publish real numbers and learn in public, while still solving hard problems like kill criteria, finding handoff teams, and whether one playbook fits all business types.

As executive compensation at big automakers soars, so does health care costs for the companies, workers

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 759 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
💼 Business Corporate Governance Executive Compensation Labor relations Health Insurance Economic Inequality
  1. CEO pay at big automakers is very high, while worker pay has stayed low, causing frustration among workers. This gap in pay creates issues in labor negotiations and workers' struggles for fair wages.
  2. Healthcare costs for companies like GM are increasing significantly, which takes away funds that could be used for paying workers better. This trend is leading to workers facing higher deductibles and premiums.
  3. Despite the high pay for CEOs, the stock performance of companies is often underwhelming, raising questions about whether these leaders are meeting their performance goals.

What Is A Productized Service

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 99 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
💼 Business Freelancing Consulting Entrepreneurship
  1. Productized services offer a way to package and standardize services, making them easier to sell and manage. Instead of customizing everything for each client, providers can offer fixed services at set prices.
  2. By defining specific services and hiring skilled professionals, businesses can scale their operations. This means they can serve more clients without overwhelming themselves.
  3. Selling productized services can lead to more consistent income through subscriptions or recurring payments. It's a simpler approach that can work for freelancers as well as larger companies.

An Exit

Points And Figures • 1012 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Consumer Goods Startups Corporate culture
  1. Investing in entrepreneurs you believe in can be more important than the product itself. Finding a passionate leader can make all the difference.
  2. Solving personal problems often leads to stronger businesses. When entrepreneurs face their own challenges, their passion and commitment to the solution grow.
  3. Being smart with financing is key for business success. Using venture debt wisely can help a company grow without giving up too much ownership.

Marc Andreessen Joining Character.AI Board + Other Hot AI Fundraising Rounds Afoot

Newcomer • 727 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
💼 Business Tech startups Investments AI Summit Venture Capital
  1. Andreessen Horowitz won the investment round for Character.AI led by Marc Andreessen.
  2. Multiple hot AI fundraising rounds are happening, including investments in Perplexity AI and LangChain.
  3. Other notable investments include Sequoia leading an investment in Dust and Index backing a startup by David Schreiber.

Who produces machine tools?

kamilkazani • 727 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
💼 Business Manufacturing Technology Global Trade
  1. Machine tool production is concentrated in Western Europe and East Asia, led by Germany and Japan.
  2. The machine tool industry is knowledge-intensive and technology-driven, requiring skilled labor.
  3. Old industrial powers that adapt to new technology changes have a significant impact on machine tool production.

The Bear Cave #275

The Bear Cave • 489 implied HN points • 25 May 25
💼 Business Finance Investing Corporate Governance Market Analysis Executive Changes
  1. Culper Research shared concerns about Archer Aviation, claiming they've misled investors about their eVTOL aircraft development. This raises questions about the company's trustworthiness.
  2. Recent executive resignations at several companies indicate potential instability and challenges within those organizations. This could affect their performance and investor confidence.
  3. Muddy Waters Research and other groups are highlighting issues in companies like Freedom Holding Corp and Marqeta, pointing out possible financial mismanagement and regulatory problems that could pose risks for investors.

User Research Guide For Founders, Part 1: Getting Started

Elizabeth Laraki • 179 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
💼 Business User Research Product Development Startups Entrepreneurship Market Analysis
  1. Set clear and specific research goals to know exactly what you want to learn from users.
  2. Choose the right research method, like interviews or usability studies, based on whether you need feedback on a concept or an existing product.
  3. Turn your research goals into specific questions that are easy for people to answer, making it easier to gather useful information.

Should journalists view newsroom buyouts as seed funding?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 324 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
💼 Business Media Entrepreneurship Startups Consulting Journalism
  1. Journalists may see newsroom buyouts as a chance to start their own media projects. Instead of just looking for another job, they could use the buyout money to fund something new.
  2. Newsweek is struggling with its subscription plan due to poor content choices and heavy ads. It's a good example of what not to do if you want to build a successful paywall.
  3. Local newspapers owned by Advance Local are thriving online by separating their digital and print brands. They focus on smart choices about which print papers to keep operating.

How did Nvidia find itself in a lose/lose game?

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
💼 Business Tech industry Investments Market Trends Corporate strategy Economic Policy
  1. Nvidia is facing a dilemma with its GPUs: if they wear out quickly from heavy use, companies might falsely report profits, but if they last longer, companies might look better financially overall.
  2. Investor concerns about GPU durability and accounting practices are causing tension in the market, leading Nvidia to defend its position with a memo.
  3. The ongoing debate around hardware depreciation could significantly impact Nvidia's profitability and the financial health of major tech companies.

The curse of conscientiousness

Optima & Outliers • 219 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
💼 Business Career development Work Culture Self-help Psychology Professional Growth
  1. Being very organized and responsible can sometimes be a hindrance, especially if it makes you stick to a job that isn't right for you. It's important to know when to quit and move on.
  2. Young people should be open to exploring different jobs instead of sticking to one path just because it's familiar. Trying new roles can lead to greater happiness and success.
  3. It's better to think of your career like a scientist experiments: test a job for a while and see if it fits you. If not, don't feel bad about quitting and finding something that works better.

The Bear Cave #277

The Bear Cave • 443 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
💼 Business Finance Investing Corporate Governance Market research Activism
  1. Recent research has raised serious concerns about several companies. For example, Abacus Global Management might be overstating the value of its assets.
  2. Many executives are leaving their positions, especially CFOs from companies like Hallador Energy and BigBear.ai. This could reflect instability in those companies.
  3. There are issues with how some companies report their user metrics and finances, such as Yalla Group and Sharplink Gaming, which might mislead investors.

People Over Process

Rethinking Software • 299 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💼 Business Management Leadership Teamwork Processes Employee engagement
  1. Focus on the individual members of your team, not just their roles or tasks. Remember each person's strengths and needs.
  2. Before adding processes or policies, consider what your team truly needs to succeed. Tailor your approach to support them personally.
  3. Regularly strip away distractions and revisit what matters most: the people on your team and their shared purpose.

How to Save a $70B Business We Don't Know What To Do With

The Ankler • 353 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Entertainment Technology Finance Industry Leadership
  1. The movie industry is facing challenges due to poor decision-making and leadership, which is threatening its survival.
  2. Hollywood should focus on creating hits to attract audiences and regain financial stability.
  3. Instead of blaming streamers, the film industry needs to adapt and overcome bad habits and thought patterns to thrive.

Meetings Are A Huge Drag

Points And Figures • 426 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
💼 Business Productivity Technology Finance Meetings Management
  1. Many people spend too much time in meetings, which takes away from productive work. It can be frustrating when meetings don't lead to real progress.
  2. Current meeting technology often just records discussions and doesn't improve how meetings run. This can lead to unproductive outcomes.
  3. Better meeting preparation can make meetings more effective, and new tools are being created to help automate this process. This can help reduce waste and improve productivity.

☀️SPOTIFY Crosses 600M Users, Still Loses Money

The Ankler • 353 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Streaming services Entertainment industry
  1. Spotify has over 600 million users but is still facing financial losses.
  2. The NFL's expansion for the 2024 season includes a Friday game from Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is a creative move to utilize a calendar loophole.
  3. Apple TV+ is releasing a lineup of 16 scripted and documentary series within a 16-week timeframe, similar to HBO's strategies over three years.

This company is building the world's biggest streaming network for baking creators

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
💼 Business Media Streaming Content creation Marketing Monetization
  1. A company is creating a big streaming network just for baking creators. This could help bakers reach a wider audience and share their skills.
  2. The Washington Post might be trying a new model for publishing more opinion pieces, even from non-professionals. This could attract more readers but might also hurt the paper's reputation if quality drops.
  3. Hollywood should stop viewing YouTube as a competitor and start using it as a way to share content. By partnering with YouTube, traditional media can reach more viewers and monetize better.