The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
David Friedman’s Substack 278 implied HN points 05 Jul 25
  1. Corporations are supposed to benefit stockholders but often face challenges in making sure that happens. Stockholders can vote out management if they're unhappy, but individual votes often feel insignificant to them.
  2. Stakeholders like customers and employees are already protected by market forces. If they don't like the products or the job conditions, they can easily switch to alternatives without needing special voting rights.
  3. Stockholders face unique risks because their investments can be tied up even if the company isn't performing well. Strengthening stockholder control and removing barriers to takeover bids could help ensure companies focus more on maximizing stockholder value.
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Topsoil 452 implied HN points 31 Oct 23
  1. Farming requires a diverse team with various roles.
  2. Roles on the farm include operations manager, operators, bookkeeper, and agronomist.
  3. There is a trend towards consolidation, professionalization, and automation in farming.
The VC Corner 239 implied HN points 11 Feb 24
  1. Venture capital distributions are at a 14-year low, indicating a shift in investment trends. This could mean less money is flowing into startups right now.
  2. The bar for companies going public is getting higher. It's becoming tougher for businesses to meet the requirements to launch their IPOs.
  3. There are 20 tech trends to keep an eye on for 2024. Watching these trends can help investors and startups stay ahead in the industry.
SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter 788 implied HN points 30 Nov 24
  1. Data teams should focus on projects that really matter to the business, not just completing tasks. It's important to pick work that makes a difference.
  2. Understanding how your business works is key to finding valuable projects. Ask questions about the data to see what's impacting your important metrics.
  3. Shift your mindset from being a regular team member to thinking like a business owner. This means taking initiative and seeking out projects that align with overall business goals.
The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past 60 implied HN points 23 Nov 25
  1. Change in companies happens through people, not just technology. It’s important to focus on growing and developing the individuals within an organization.
  2. To transform a company, you can either help current employees change or bring in new ones with fresh perspectives. Success often comes from a mix of both.
  3. Six key skills are important in today's work: Think critically, be creative, stay curious, collaborate well, communicate clearly, and convince others. These are essential for thriving in a fast-changing environment.
Comment is Freed 60 implied HN points 01 Dec 25
  1. Designing choices and defaults works big time: changing systems like automatic enrollment in pensions can produce huge, lasting effects, while simple wording changes and social comparisons give smaller but very cost-effective boosts.
  2. There are big practical and political limits to nudging: nudge teams often can only persuade rather than redesign systems, and deliberate "sludge" or gamified interfaces can harm people while current political trends make evidence-based reforms harder.
  3. Behavioural economics has uncovered many real anomalies and useful tools (like mental accounting), but it hasn’t replaced standard economic theory or textbooks and probably won’t offer a single grand theory; its strength is adding realistic, descriptive insights to existing models.
Venture Prose 738 implied HN points 15 Jan 23
  1. Investors in venture capital should not shy away from addressing sensitive topics with the founders they support, to avoid miscommunication and potential issues.
  2. Communication is key in maintaining productive relationships between investors and entrepreneurs. Creating an environment where feedback is welcomed and honest conversations can take place is crucial.
  3. Investors need to share observations directly with entrepreneurs, rather than gossiping or keeping concerns to themselves. Open dialogue and constructive conflict can lead to better outcomes for all parties involved.
The New Urban Order 199 implied HN points 04 Mar 24
  1. There is a significant increase in multifamily housing supply, signaling a potential tipping point in the housing industry.
  2. Cities like Minneapolis that have increased housing supply are seeing a decrease in rent prices, showcasing the impact of supply and demand in the housing market.
  3. The increase in housing supply across the U.S. is leading to declines in rent prices in many major markets, demonstrating the effectiveness of increasing supply to address housing affordability.
Points And Figures 932 implied HN points 21 Oct 24
  1. Being authentic is key for leaders. When leaders show their true selves, it helps build trust and culture in their organizations.
  2. Not every leader is suited for every situation. Finding the right fit where authenticity shines can lead to greater success.
  3. People today appreciate genuine leadership. With so much fake behavior around, being authentic stands out and resonates with others.
How to Glow in the Dark 559 implied HN points 06 Oct 23
  1. This is a challenging time for publishers to invest and innovate, yet many big companies are not doing so.
  2. Major publishing companies are facing reduced earnings despite increased sales, leading to layoffs and cost-cutting measures.
  3. The industry's response to financial challenges has mainly involved squeezing employees and authors, rather than focusing on long-term growth and support.
Resilient Cyber 279 implied HN points 17 Jan 24
  1. Building a strong network is important for career resilience. It's not just about who you know, but who knows you and what you bring to the table.
  2. Some core values and work ethics should remain unchanged throughout your career. These qualities, like determination and discipline, help you stay successful as roles and technologies change.
  3. You should treat your personal and professional growth like a product that needs constant improvement. Embrace change and ask for feedback to keep evolving.
Japan Economy Watch 399 implied HN points 19 Nov 23
  1. Japan's GDP has not seen growth in five years, raising concerns about the country's economic health.
  2. Majority of the recent GDP growth in Japan is attributed to increased government spending.
  3. Real wages in Japan have been declining, impacting employee compensation and consumption, which further influences Bank of Japan policy and the value of the yen.
Venture Curator 239 implied HN points 08 Feb 24
  1. Fundraising is a sales & marketing process that needs careful planning and time management with prioritization of top investors.
  2. Founders should focus on engaging investors who show interest, authority to make decisions, and willingness to continue spending time.
  3. Having a balanced approach in engaging top and bottom of the funnel investors, using marketing techniques, and keeping a healthy pipeline is key to successful fundraising.
The Micromobility Newsletter 491 implied HN points 06 Sep 23
  1. Prelaunch.com uses a special reservation system for customers interested in products, offering them a deal on launch.
  2. Prelaunch.com helps ebike inventors gather market feedback, optimize product design, and customize marketing strategies.
  3. Success stories like the FUELL Fllow and other electric mobility products have benefitted from Prelaunch.com's validation platform.
The Ankler 255 implied HN points 29 Jan 24
  1. Netflix's $5 billion deal with WWE is creating hope for unscripted producers and executives.
  2. Despite a slowdown in reality TV business due to tight budgets, recent announcements from Netflix and Comedy Central are sparking fresh prospects.
  3. The unscripted genre is seeing a revival, with Netflix's move beyond just sports signaling potential ripple effects on the industry.
Frankly Speaking 50 implied HN points 03 Dec 25
  1. The current way companies choose vendors is too slow and complicated for today's fast-moving tech world. It takes too long to get through all the approvals and checks.
  2. Security teams often struggle to fully understand the products they assess, which makes the process messy and can lead to risks being overlooked. They should focus more on ongoing monitoring rather than just initial assessments.
  3. Compliance checks for vendors are often just a tick-box exercise, making it feel like there’s security without real effectiveness. Companies need to adapt and change how they approach procurement to reduce risks.
Newcomer 235 implied HN points 09 Feb 24
  1. US VCs face scrutiny for investing in Chinese companies linked to national defense technologies.
  2. There is concern about US venture capital flows aiding China's advancements in chips and AI, posing national security risks.
  3. Some VCs may have overlooked the potential negative impacts of their investments on US interests and security.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter 19 implied HN points 22 Jan 26
  1. The Market Tightness Index is 32, well below the breakeven 50, which signals looser market conditions and points to lower rent growth and higher apartment vacancies.
  2. Sales activity has slowed — the Sales Volume Index dropped to 47, indicating a pullback in deal flow even though many respondents saw little change quarter-to-quarter.
  3. Financing is more available: the Debt Financing Index is 75 and the Equity Financing Index is 53, reflecting improved borrowing and capital availability after a modest decline in long-term yields.
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 962 implied HN points 09 Oct 24
  1. Create a minimum remarkable product that really stands out. This means your initial product should be good enough to impress people right away, as getting their trust back later is tough.
  2. Use storytelling to engage your audience. Instead of a big launch event, try to build a community around your product through authentic content and personal stories.
  3. Stay lean by using automation and AI to keep things efficient. It's better to have a small, skilled team that can innovate rather than hiring lots of people to get things done.
Notorious PLG 235 implied HN points 08 Feb 24
  1. Valuable lessons for early-stage founders include focusing on customer needs, finding product-market fit, and maintaining rapid adaptation.
  2. Operating benchmarks for PLG startups include metrics on organic traffic, conversion rates, activation rates, and user retention.
  3. Financial benchmarks from PLG public companies cover EV/NTM revenue multiples, stock gainers, and recent PLG + AI financings.
ASeq Newsletter 29 implied HN points 06 Jan 26
  1. Illumina’s clinical business is strengthening while overall revenue is flat-to-down, and the company will likely report modest results without launching new sequencing instruments.
  2. Oxford Nanopore probably won’t surprise before the new CEO starts in March, since recent gains looked driven by financial restructuring and price increases rather than clear instrument growth.
  3. PacBio has made technical progress and landed some population sequencing wins, but recent quarterly declines and doubts about reaching profitability by 2027 make acquisition rumors understandable yet unlikely.
Japan Economy Watch 179 implied HN points 13 Mar 24
  1. Headline wage hikes in Japan may seem high, like 4-5%, but they often translate to 2-3% for the entire labor force.
  2. The base pay increase is what directly impacts overall income, while seniority raises have a more limited effect.
  3. Despite the impressive headline numbers, real wages in Japan have fallen due to inflation, with expectations for minimal improvements in the near future.
Frankly Speaking 305 implied HN points 05 Jun 25
  1. Zscaler bought Red Canary to create a more integrated and powerful security platform. This move helps them adapt to the changing needs of businesses that want fewer, but more effective tools.
  2. The combination of Zscaler’s services with Red Canary’s managed detection capabilities allows companies to reduce their security staff while improving response times. This can make security easier and potentially save money.
  3. The security market is shifting away from using many separate tools and towards unified platforms. As Zscaler and others adapt, there's potential for growth, but they must also navigate challenges in merging cultures and technologies.
In My Tribe 258 implied HN points 28 Jun 25
  1. Sports gambling can be seen as a predatory business model that targets vulnerable individuals. Companies often exploit psychological weaknesses to profit, impacting a small percentage of harmful cases.
  2. Business model audits could help identify harmful practices in industries like gambling and social media. These audits would look for ways companies might be profiting from customers who are easy to exploit.
  3. Regulation needs to focus on clear definitions of harmful business practices. Simple rules might not work, but audits can reveal deeper issues where companies thrive on the disadvantages faced by some consumers.
The Beautiful Mess 925 implied HN points 17 Oct 24
  1. Ultra Founder Mode is all about taking raw honesty and owning up to your weaknesses. It's crucial to be really self-aware and willing to face hard truths about yourself and your work.
  2. In this mindset, you take full responsibility for everything—successes and failures. There’s no blaming others; you say 'I' messed up, and you own that weight fully.
  3. Being a leader means being deeply involved in your team's day-to-day struggles. You need to feel their pressures and grind alongside them, absorbing all the chaos without immediately trying to fix everything.