Kartick’s Blog

Kartick's Blog explores a diverse range of subjects from personal development, technology trends, work culture in startups and corporates, to practical tips on productivity, managing finances, and technical updates. It often emphasizes self-improvement, efficient work practices, and the impact of technology on daily life and future prospects.

Personal Development Business and Sales Technology and Security Productivity Tips Work Culture Finance Management Technical Skills

The hottest Substack posts of Kartick’s Blog

And their main takeaways

Don't Fall for Cultural Compromise

0 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🎭️ Culture Communication Cultural norms Work Culture Collaboration
  1. It's important to communicate directly, even if it goes against someone's cultural norms. Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps projects on track.
  2. Sticking to your values can lead to better outcomes in work and relationships. Directness and transparency are often more effective than sugarcoating things.
  3. Being a tech advisor means you need to model the behavior you want to see in a productive work culture. You can't promote direct communication if you're not practicing it yourself.

Reset to Zero

0 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Lifestyle Mental health Self-Improvement Cooking
  1. Sometimes it's good to start fresh by wiping things clean and only adding back what you really need. This makes things easier and more efficient.
  2. You can apply the reset concept to different areas of your life, like your kitchen or diet, to find the right balance and avoid clutter.
  3. Every once in a while, try resetting something in your life to zero. It can help you discover better ways to do things.

Why a Sabbatical Feels Anxious — Even When It’s the Right Move

0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Personal Growth Work-life balance Stress management Career development
  1. Change can be tough, even when it's good for you. Taking a break from work might feel scary, but it can also be really beneficial.
  2. Sabbaticals can feel wrong because of our upbringing and societal norms. People often think they should always be working, so taking time off can make them feel guilty.
  3. A sabbatical is an investment in yourself, similar to putting money into a mutual fund. It might seem like a cost now, but it can lead to greater returns later.

Honda City: A Fallen Hero

0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Automotive Digital features Performance User Experience Design
  1. The Honda City has many disappointing features compared to its competitors, especially the Verna. Its performance, comfort, and technology don't meet expectations.
  2. The car's design is flawed in several areas, like awkward storage spaces and poor seat adjustments. Some important details, like warnings and features, seem neglected.
  3. Overall, the Honda City feels outdated and lacks many modern comforts and performance enhancements, making it less appealing compared to other options in the market.
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Maruti Ciaz: Good Riddance

0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Automotive Reviews Performance Design Innovation
  1. The Maruti Ciaz lacks good performance, with poor acceleration compared to older models like the 2013 Ritz. Many features, like noise and engine refinement, are disappointing.
  2. Comfort features in the Ciaz are hit or miss, with good headroom but some hard parts and a cramped feeling in certain positions. The driving experience is easier in traffic but has issues with gear visibility.
  3. Digital technology in the car feels outdated, with small screens and poor music quality. There are also limited charging options, making it feel less modern than competitors.

Mercedes EQS SUV: The Best Chauffeur-Driven SUV

0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Automobiles Electric Vehicles Consumer Electronics Luxury goods Product Reviews
  1. The Mercedes EQS SUV is best for people who want to be driven rather than drive themselves. It offers a super comfortable and luxurious experience in the back seat.
  2. While the car has many high-tech features, some of them can be annoying or don’t work well, like the overly sensitive braking system and unreliable air conditioning.
  3. If you're looking for a fun self-driving experience, the EQS SUV might not be great. Other cars like the Volvo EC40 or Verna might give you better driving enjoyment.

Mercedes EQS Sedan: Unsuitable for India

0 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
  1. The Mercedes EQS Sedan scrapes speed bumps and is too long for Indian city driving, making it hard to maneuver.
  2. The car's advanced safety features can be overly intrusive, sometimes causing sudden braking that can lead to accidents.
  3. Overall build quality and usability issues, like unreliable air conditioning and confusing controls, make it unsuitable for the Indian market.

What Makes a Sport Exciting to Watch?

0 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🎾 Sports Performance Audience engagement Competition
  1. Match length should match people's attention spans. Games that are too long can make fans lose interest and stop watching.
  2. The action needs to be fast and exciting. Simple changes, like reducing the number of overs or sets, can make the game more thrilling.
  3. It's important to avoid draws. Fans want to see a winner, so rules should be adjusted to minimize the chances of a game ending in a tie.

What I Learnt about Buying High-end Speakers

0 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🎶 Music Audio Equipment
  1. Decide what you want from your speaker setup first. If you just want to enjoy music at home, go for stereo speakers.
  2. Stereo systems often provide better sound for music than multi-channel systems, which tend to be geared towards movies.
  3. Choosing floorstanding speakers is usually better than bookshelf ones because they create fuller sound on their own without needing a subwoofer.

What "Ownership" Means at Work

0 implied HN points • 27 May 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Management Human Resources Startups Work Culture
  1. Being an owner at work means taking responsibility and being proactive. It's not just about doing what you're told; it's about caring about the company's success.
  2. True ownership involves having a say in decisions. If you have no authority to influence outcomes, you're not really an owner, just someone helping out.
  3. Not being an owner can actually be beneficial. It allows you to focus on your strengths without getting into conflicts over business decisions, making it easier to do a good job.

Escalation Levels: A Framework for Better Sales Conversations

0 implied HN points • 25 May 25
💼 Business Sales Consulting Negotiation Marketing Management
  1. Use different escalation levels in sales conversations to shift approaches when discussions stall. Just like a car needs different gears for different conditions, sales talks need different strategies for success.
  2. Start conversations by gathering information to understand the lead's needs better. This means asking questions and listening more than you talk to really get to the root of the problem.
  3. When necessary, be firm and clear in your communication. If someone can't follow your advice, be direct about what needs to change or you may need to walk away from the deal.

I'm Happier Without an iPad

0 implied HN points • 16 May 25
🕹 Technology Gadgets User Experience Productivity Media Consumption Mental health
  1. Switching from an iPad to a TV for watching videos made the experience much better. The TV offers a more immersive viewing experience, which makes it more enjoyable.
  2. Without the iPad, I have better sleep because I'm not staring at a screen before bed. I find that I can relax more and even fall asleep faster.
  3. Not using an iPad has encouraged me to read more books. I feel more engaged with what I read, and it's a much more rewarding experience than mindlessly scrolling or watching videos.

BMW X1 Used: A Worse, Overpriced Creta

0 implied HN points • 15 May 25
  1. The used BMW X1 is not worth buying because it's more expensive and not better than a new Creta. Driving it feels problematic, and it has warnings about engine issues.
  2. While it looks upscale inside, the lack of important features like a front camera and a satisfactory infotainment system make it disappointing. Plus, the car had issues like engine vibrations and poor sound quality.
  3. Overall, the BMW X1 didn't impress and seemed to be a damaged vehicle pretending to be luxury. It's better to save your money and go for a new Creta instead.

How to Buy Standardised vs Custom Services

0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Services Consulting Sales Marketing Product Development
  1. Standardised services offer similar benefits and risks for all clients. You can expect predictability in delivery time and cost, like hiring an agency to find a software engineer.
  2. Custom services are unique for each client, with varying costs and outcomes. You often need to invest before seeing results, and the risks can be hard to predict.
  3. When buying standardised products or services, make sure to see the final result before committing. With custom services, be prepared for a longer conversation to understand the scope and pricing.

iPhone 15 Camera Features Not to Use

0 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Consumer Electronics Mobile devices Photography Software Gadgets
  1. Avoid using the flash on your iPhone 15 camera because it can ruin the natural look of your pictures.
  2. It is better to capture photos at 48 MP or higher. Lower resolutions might make the images appear darker or less detailed.
  3. Try not to use older video codecs like H264 and JPEG, as they can take up more space and may not give you the best quality.

Character and Personality

0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Character Personality Social Dynamics Self-Improvement
  1. Character is who you really are inside, while personality is how others see you outside. Both matter, but having a good character is what we should strive for.
  2. People can be judged by how they present themselves, especially in social situations like sales. Sometimes, showing a little vulnerability can help identify those with bad character.
  3. Observing someone's actions is more important than just listening to their words. If what they say and do don’t match, it’s a red flag.

Indian- vs American-style wisdom

0 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Communication Learning Tradition Society
  1. American-style wisdom is clear and straightforward, often summed up in catchy phrases that are easy to remember. This makes it simple to share with others and helps people apply the advice quickly.
  2. Indian-style wisdom is more about personal experience and learning by watching others. It focuses on feelings and principles, rather than explicit rules, so understanding can be more challenging.
  3. When American and Indian wisdom clash, American wisdom often wins because it's easier to communicate and remember. People tend to prefer advice that is direct and can be shared easily.

Microphones Ranked by Quality

0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Consumer Electronics Media Production
  1. Good audio quality is important because poor sound can make people stop listening to your content. Great audio helps keep your audience engaged.
  2. Microphone placement is key; the closer the mic is to your mouth, the better the sound, even if the mic isn't the highest quality.
  3. Bluetooth headphones are generally the least effective for audio quality, while devices like smartphones and laptops can provide decent sound if placed properly.

Headphone Comparison

0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Audio Equipment Consumer Electronics Product Reviews
  1. The Audio-Technica headphones are the best for listening to music, providing clear and rich sound, but they can be uncomfortable for long periods.
  2. AirPods are great for comfort and are useful for casual listening, but they have many connectivity issues and may not be the best choice if you use different devices.
  3. Next time, prioritize comfort over brand and look for wired headphones with USB-C ports for better compatibility with modern devices.

Speaker Quality Compared

0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Electronics Audio Gadgets Reviews Consumer
  1. The best speaker tested is a TV, which surprised me because I thought TV speakers would be bad.
  2. The laptop actually sounds better than the Echo Dot, which shows that not all small devices perform poorly.
  3. When buying small speakers, focus on the overall sound quality instead of stereo features, as separation doesn't matter much in that size.

In the future, more people will commute by air

0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. In the future, more people will commute short distances by air instead of on the surface.
  2. Air travel for short distances will be more efficient due to point-to-point routes and availability of space.
  3. Advancements in technology like electric craft and clean energy will make air travel more sustainable and cost-effective.

How I Calculate Profit

0 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups Consulting Accounting Finance Entrepreneurship
  1. Income is only counted when it's actually in the bank, not just when it's invoiced. This helps reduce the risk of relying on money that might not come in.
  2. Expenses are recognized in full when they occur, even if they are spread out over time. This practice makes it easier to see the real financial impact right away.
  3. It's smart to overestimate taxes and expenses while understating income. This cautious approach helps in planning for potential financial shortfalls.

How to record the screen on Mac

0 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Recording Software
  1. When recording on a Mac, make sure to close unnecessary apps to avoid distractions.
  2. Use QuickTime Player to record the screen and overlay your webcam onto the recording.
  3. Consider using a smartphone as a webcam for better quality, following specific settings for optimal results.

Do you want to work in wartime or peacetime?

0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Startups Job security Bureaucracy
  1. Working in wartime often involves working with lower quality but not zero quality, unlike in peacetime where quality can be excessively high and unnecessary.
  2. In wartime situations like startups, there's a sense of urgency and willingness to take risks for the sake of innovation, unlike in peacetime setups where conflict avoidance and complacency can prevail.
  3. Balancing safety and risk is crucial in work environments - too much safety can lead to complacency while too little safety can cause unnecessary stress and burnout.

Ranking and Rating

0 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Finance Strategy Operations Management
  1. Ranking shows preferences clearly, like choosing cars in order of what you like most. It's straightforward for comparisons.
  2. Ratings provide more detailed info with scores, but they can sometimes lead to confusion or arguments over small differences.
  3. Information can be helpful, but too much can complicate things. Sometimes, a simple ranking is better to avoid overwhelm.

Toyota Hycross / Invicto Review: Buy Carens Instead

0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
  1. The Toyota Hycross and Invicto are decent cars, but there are better options like the Carens if you need a 3-row vehicle. For other choices, consider M.G. Windsor or Tata Curvv EV.
  2. Between the Hycross and Invicto, the Hycross is the better pick as the Invicto lacks some features and has issues that make it less desirable.
  3. Comfort and space are notable issues in both cars, especially in the rear seats, making them less suitable for tall passengers or long trips.

Hyundai Alcazar Diesel Review: Buy Carens Instead

0 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
  1. The Hyundai Alcazar isn't the best choice for a 3-row car; the Kia Carens is a better option. If you're considering a 2-row car, look at the M.G. Windsor or Tata Curvv EV instead.
  2. While the Alcazar has some good features like adjustable seats and a nice sound system, it struggles with engine performance and vibration issues, especially when idle.
  3. Overall, there are many better cars in the market right now that offer higher quality and comfort compared to the Alcazar.

Jeep Compass: Overpriced and Worse than the Creta

0 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Automotive Reviews Consumer Tech Engineering
  1. The Jeep Compass is deemed overpriced compared to the Creta, with major discomfort and driving flaws that make it less appealing.
  2. Although the interior quality is acknowledged as high, issues like cramped space and a firm suspension diminish overall comfort.
  3. While it has unique features like cooled seats and good digital connectivity, its complex climate controls and some digital limitations reduce usability.

Scorpio N: Only for SUV Usage

0 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Automotive Gadgets Reviews Innovation Consumer Tech
  1. SUVs are built for specific purposes like going off-road or towing. If you don’t need to do those things, you might want a different type of vehicle.
  2. The Scorpio N has many features, but it can be uncomfortable, especially with poor legroom and noise while driving. It's not the best choice if you want a smooth ride.
  3. When comparing the Scorpio N to the Roxx, the Roxx offers better comfort and less body roll. If you want a better driving experience, the Roxx might be the better option.

The M.G.Windsor Obsoletes Fossil Fuel-powered Clunkers

0 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Automotive Electric Vehicles Innovation Consumer Technology Reviews
  1. The M.G. Windsor is a new electric vehicle that stands out for its great design and features. It's been said to offer a smoother driving experience than many other cars.
  2. While early technology can be rough and expensive, this car represents a significant improvement in electric vehicle technology, making it much more appealing than older options.
  3. Although the Windsor has limitations, like range and seat comfort, it is seen as a sign of how electric cars will get better and become more common in the future.