The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

stuck in the moat

Dan Davies - "Back of Mind" • 235 implied HN points • 12 May 23
💼 Business Economics Management Productivity Competition Monopoly
  1. The concept of a 'moat' in business, popularized by Warren Buffet, has been misunderstood and misapplied by many.
  2. The original idea behind a 'moat' was to protect a business's unique advantage, not simply to create barriers through legal means.
  3. The focus on 'moats' led to a shift in management attention towards maintaining profits through artificial means rather than product improvement.
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My Review of Daniel Vassallo’s Class "A Portfolio of Small Bets"

Michael’s Newsletter • 235 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Community Courses Digital Products
  1. Daniel Vassallo promotes a 'portfolio approach' to entrepreneurship, suggesting small bets over going all-in on a startup.
  2. Taking smaller, manageable steps in projects can lead to eventual success, similar to leveling up in a video game.
  3. Joining a supportive community, like the one in Vassallo's class, can provide valuable networking and learning opportunities for entrepreneurs.

How a Photoshoot at Peter Hurley’s Studio Left Me With a New Understanding of My Appearance

Michael’s Newsletter • 235 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
💼 Business Consulting Client Management Perception Appearance Marketing
  1. Facial expressions are crucial for communication, like squinting eyes and slight closed-mouth smiles.
  2. Managing perceptions is vital in client-facing fields, from appearance to online presence.
  3. Authenticity and self-acceptance are key; flaws make you unique, and going off-script can lead to great outcomes.

Putting the I in Team

In My Tribe • 364 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
💼 Business Management Workplace Teamwork Employee Relations Organizational Behavior
  1. Teamwork relies on everyone doing their part. If some people don't contribute, it can hurt the whole team's chances of success.
  2. Hiring people who are responsible and committed can help encourage teamwork. When employees feel connected to their mission or colleagues, they're less likely to slack off.
  3. Measuring how well employees cooperate can improve teamwork. Giving clear examples of what good teamwork looks like can help everyone understand how to contribute.

Shareholder Primacy Culture and American Decline

America in Crisis • 59 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
💼 Business Economics Finance Culture Politics History
  1. The current economic system in the US, based on shareholder primacy culture, is facing challenges due to extreme asset valuations and one-sided interventions by the Federal Reserve.
  2. The decline of American civilization is attributed to a shift towards monumental financial architecture under shareholder value pursuit, leading to a lack of capacity for real production.
  3. Under shareholder primacy culture, America may struggle to compete with rising global powers like Russia and China due to a focus on financial gains over tangible achievements.

BS-TBS News Interviews Me On Japan's EV Problem

Japan Economy Watch • 259 implied HN points • 25 May 23
💼 Business Automotive Innovation Economic Analysis Market Strategy
  1. Japanese automakers are resistant to adopting Electric Vehicles (EVs), leading to a loss in sales and risk of falling behind other countries like China.
  2. Successful companies can struggle to adapt to changing times, similar to how the Detroit Big Three faced challenges in the 1970s-80s.
  3. Japan's automakers need to prioritize entering the EV market successfully before exploring other options like hydrogen fuel cells. Shifting to Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) is crucial for future competitiveness.

Building a portfolio of sides hustles

Kenny’s Sub • 99 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Side Hustles Income Streams Work-life balance Digital Products
  1. Starting side hustles early can lead to multiple income streams. It helps not to rely on just one source of income, as different hustles can balance each other out.
  2. Focusing on personal passion instead of customer demands can reduce stress in side hustles. Enjoying what you do makes the work more fulfilling.
  3. Building relationships rather than just selling products can lead to more meaningful interactions and success. Providing value first can create loyal followers who appreciate your work.

Inside the guts of Figma's S-1 Filing

Alex's Personal Blog • 131 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance Startups Investments Technology Markets
  1. Figma is growing fast and has lots of international users. Most of its revenue comes from outside its home country, showing there's still room to grow.
  2. The company is profitable and has strong customer retention. Figma has improved its profits in recent years and continues to attract big accounts.
  3. Figma's IPO is important for the tech industry. A successful listing could encourage more companies to go public and bring new excitement to the market.

The Success Trap

Fish Food for Thought • 30 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
💼 Business Leadership Strategy Innovation Career Organizational Behavior Management Culture
  1. Success often feels like freedom but quietly narrows your options; the more you specialize and optimize, the harder it becomes to change course.
  2. The 'success trap' happens when you reward exploitation over exploration, so companies and people stop experimenting and become vulnerable to disruption.
  3. Avoid it by deliberately preserving optionality: make time for experiments, rotate roles, learn new skills, and treat success as stewardship that must be renewed.

NonZero is Hiring!

Nonzero Newsletter • 327 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
💼 Business Media Journalism Social media Hiring Content creation
  1. NonZero is expanding and looking to hire new team members, including a full-time journalist and part-time social media specialist. They want people passionate about important global topics.
  2. The organization aims to cover a wide range of subjects, like technology, psychology, and international relations, to foster collaboration and reduce conflicts. Their mission is about helping people find common ground.
  3. They encourage creative applicants who can bring unique skills to support their mission. If you think you can help, even in ways beyond their listed jobs, they welcome your ideas.

The New Fundraising Playbook: Seed-Strapping

Tanay’s Newsletter • 126 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups Funding Entrepreneurship Technology Growth
  1. Seed-strapping is when a startup raises a small amount of money and then grows instead using its own revenue. This lets founders keep more control over their company.
  2. AI has made it easier for startups to succeed without needing lots of funding. Companies can now build products faster and sell them sooner, leading to quick profits.
  3. While seed-strapping offers benefits like less dilution and more financial discipline, it can also come with challenges like competition from better-funded startups and limitations on growth.

Interesting Take on the Figma IPO

startupdreams • 105 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💼 Business Investing Startups Finance Markets IPO
  1. Figma's IPO was a big surprise because it opened at a much higher price than expected. The shares were initially priced at $33 but quickly jumped to over $120.
  2. Investors and the company lost a lot of potential money because the IPO was underpriced. This means they could have made billions more if they priced it correctly.
  3. There might be legal issues ahead because the underpricing upset many investors, especially big-name venture capitalists who feel they missed out on huge profits.

Dirty Work: The Return of Blue Collar

State of the Future • 144 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
💼 Business Employment Economics Labor Automation Education
  1. AI is taking over many white-collar jobs, especially those that are routine and easily automated. Many of these roles aren't as valuable as we once thought.
  2. There are plenty of blue-collar jobs available that can provide real satisfaction and meaning. These jobs often require skills that AI cannot replicate.
  3. Blue-collar jobs are likely to gain more respect and higher status in the future. We should encourage young people to consider these careers now.

Movers, Shakers, & Money Makers (6/17)

Human Capitalist • 39 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
💼 Business Job Market Corporate changes Talent Acquisition Workforce Insights
  1. A lot of job changes are happening in the business world, including big names moving to new positions. It's interesting to keep track of who is switching jobs and why.
  2. OpenAI is attracting talent from different fields, indicating its growing influence in technology, especially in areas like health tech and data science.
  3. Following job changes can provide insights into industry trends and help in networking, whether you're a recruiter or just curious about the job market.

Government Funding for R&D and Productivity Growth

New Things Under the Sun • 272 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
💼 Business Economic Impact Government Policy Innovation
  1. Government funding for research and development usually offers significant returns, boosting economic growth over time. For example, for every dollar spent on R&D, there can be several dollars in economic benefits.
  2. A 1% increase in government R&D funding can lead to a noticeable rise in national productivity within a few years. Specifically, it can increase productivity by about 0.2% over the long term.
  3. Different types of R&D spending, like defense versus non-defense, can have varying impacts on productivity. Non-defense R&D tends to have a greater positive effect, meaning it’s often more beneficial to overall economic growth.

Leaving the Military: What I Learned

The Radar • 119 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💼 Business Career transition Leadership Work Environment Communication Decision-making
  1. In civilian life, don't expect people to understand or care about your military experiences. You are a new kid on the block.
  2. Be cautious of trust and mutual support in civilian teams. Not everyone has the same values and can work against you.
  3. Job security is different in the civilian world. Always be prepared for uncertainties and be mindful of stricter performance expectations tied to pay.

Why I love marketing

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 10 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Branding Consumer behavior Digital marketing
  1. Marketing is much more than just advertising; it's everything a company does to connect with its customers. This includes building websites, social media, and promotional campaigns.
  2. Great marketing focuses on a company's values and what they mean to customers, rather than just the products. Successful ads often connect with deeper themes like community and enjoyment.
  3. Instead of viewing marketing as a hindrance, see it as a chance to communicate and engage with people. Good marketing can create lasting impressions and loyalty.

Diary Entry #1: Early Numbers

Shades of Greaves • 216 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Publishing Marketing Self-Publishing Book Sales
  1. Social media followings are crucial for authors as publishers consider the 'platform' when deciding on book deals.
  2. Self-publishing a book involves challenging odds, as most books sell fewer than 300 copies in their lifetime.
  3. Tracking and analyzing book sales data is essential for authors in understanding promotional tactics' effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Earnings: TSMC, ASML, AEHR, Telecom

Mule’s Musings • 417 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance Investing Market Analysis Technology Economy
  1. ASML's recent earnings revealed a drop in orders and concerns about future growth, particularly due to challenges in their Chinese market and demand from major clients like Samsung and Intel.
  2. TSMC reported strong earnings with high demand for AI-related products and plans for significant capital investment, showing confidence in their growth despite market fears.
  3. The semiconductor industry is facing a shift, with lithography spending likely slowing down, but both ASML and TSMC are positioned to adapt to these changes for future growth.

Welcome to my Substack!

The Uncommon Executive • 99 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Diversity Career Advancement Coaching Entrepreneurship Venture Capital
  1. Yue Zhao is passionate about helping minorities succeed in the business world, as she believes the best opportunities are unfairly distributed to white men.
  2. Yue Zhao started her career in engineering, worked at prestigious companies like McKinsey, Thumbtack, and Instagram, and is now a venture partner at LifeX Ventures.
  3. Yue Zhao aims to use her Substack newsletter to share insights and advice to help minorities and women advance in their careers and personal lives.

This Week in Marketing: Zero-Click Search, Anti-Slop TikTok, YouTube DMs, and Monopoly-Free Meta

The Social Juice • 31 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
💼 Business Marketing Technology Advertising Media Social media
  1. TikTok is giving users more control over their feeds by allowing them to limit AI-generated content. This is a response to concerns about low-quality, repetitive content.
  2. Google's new updates are changing how we search online, and many marketers are recognizing that fewer users are clicking on links. People are trusting AI-generated summaries without visiting original websites.
  3. YouTube is bringing back direct messaging after several years, which could lead to more personal interactions on the platform. This change may help connect creators and fans in a more direct way.

New Normal

Venture Prose • 219 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Financial planning Efficiency Business Models
  1. Set higher business goals and aim to achieve positive yields from actions taken.
  2. Question industry norms and push yourself to exceed expectations, rather than just following what others have done before.
  3. Prioritize efficiency and financial independence in your business strategies, ensuring that actions are intentional with positive long-term impacts.

CEOs on Their Least Popular But Most Impactful Decisions

The Generalist • 900 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership Decision-making Company Building Customer Relations Team Management
  1. Great leadership requires making tough decisions that go against popular opinion.
  2. CEOs must prioritize what's best for the long-term success of their company, even if it means making unpopular choices.
  3. Building a successful company often means making difficult decisions that may challenge the norms and expectations of others.

🌎⏩ How fast can the global economy grow?

Faster, Please! • 822 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Economic Growth Artificial Intelligence Global Economy Science fiction
  1. The concept of the Singularity involves rapid technological advancements leading to an unimaginable surge in economic growth.
  2. The idea of exponential economic growth can be challenging to comprehend, similar to how residents of a two-dimensional world might struggle to imagine a three-dimensional object.
  3. Exploring historical precedents can offer insights into more feasible scenarios for economic growth.

The Japanification of Work: Lessons from an Ageing Nation

Workforce Futurist by Andy Spence • 293 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Workforce Economy Demographics Health Technology
  1. Japan is facing a major challenge with an aging population, as more people are over 65 than under 5. This creates pressure on the economy and social systems.
  2. To tackle the labor shortage, Japan is using technology like robots and exoskeletons to support care workers and assist the elderly. Employers are also adjusting work policies to help older workers.
  3. Other countries can learn from Japan's approach to handle aging populations by rethinking retirement, encouraging women in the workforce, and being open to skilled immigration.