The hottest Company Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Why your LinkedIn is about to get very busy

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 6359 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Employment Job Market Company Culture
  1. Many people are unhappy with their jobs and looking to switch. A lot of employees feel under-compensated and are actively searching for new opportunities.
  2. Paparazzi often take risks to capture celebrity moments, even during natural disasters. Some question whether the images are worth the danger involved.
  3. Mark Zuckerberg's claims about free speech seem insincere, as he continues to censor content under pressure from the government. Both political sides prioritize controlling speech that opposes them.

Results, Actually

benn.substack • 639 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
💼 Business Data Analytics Company Culture Market Trends Investing Strategies Consumer behavior
  1. Data-driven companies get a lot of attention, but many people still prefer investing in companies led by experienced individuals. This shows that experience holds significant value in business decisions.
  2. People like to be seen as unique or contrarian, but they often know what others like. This means that even when choosing something different, they still have a sense of the mainstream.
  3. There’s a funny perspective on what robots are, with younger generations seeing different meanings in technology compared to older ones. What one generation sees as a robot, another might just see as a gadget.

At Calif, you're a star

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 1218 implied HN points • 10 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Company Culture Investment
  1. Success formula inspired by Joel Spolsky: treat programmers like stars, provide top-notch perks, and prioritize spending on talented employees.
  2. Prioritize long-term investment in the business over short-term profits, ensure employees are treated well, and focus on quality of service to clients.
  3. Maintain a high standard in business practices, provide elite-level service to clients, and prioritize comfort and convenience for employees to enhance productivity.

Being an Engineering Manager at Meta

Leading Developers • 100 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Engineering Management Company Culture Leadership Career development
  1. At Meta, managers are there to support their engineers, who have the freedom to choose their projects and set goals. This leads to a culture where trust and autonomy help engineers excel.
  2. Managers at Meta are evaluated based on the impact of their team and how they help individual contributors grow. It's important for managers to realize their role in coaching and supporting their engineers, rather than taking credit for their success.
  3. Meta encourages a fast-paced environment where developers can easily set up their work and start contributing quickly. This focus on efficiency comes from long-term investments in tools that make working faster and smoother.
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Don't just apply, opt-in

Creating Value from Nothing • 662 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
💼 Business Hiring Recruitment Company Culture Career development Employee engagement
  1. Candidates can experience the company culture firsthand by attending events like the Super Weekend. This allows them to see what working there is really like.
  2. Meeting actual customers and solving real-world problems helps potential hires understand the company's mission and approach better.
  3. The company commits to hosting regular Super Weekends to attract talented individuals and let them see how great the team is. It's a chance for candidates to really opt-in rather than just applying.

TBM 331: Strategy & Decisiveness

The Beautiful Mess • 859 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💼 Business Strategy Decision-making Management Leadership Company Culture
  1. Being strategic involves making choices, but not all strategies are about being decisive. Sometimes, being flexible and open to options can be just as important.
  2. Real-world strategy often faces messy challenges. It's not just about having a perfect plan; it's about navigating the unpredictable nature of business and making practical decisions.
  3. It's okay to admit uncertainty and avoid over-pressuring teams for quick decisions. Some trade-offs and juggling acts are just part of the process.

Big Tech Myths And Facts: Vision Pro, Google Culture, Digital Ad Market Edition

Big Technology • 3878 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Big Tech AI Digital Advertising Company Culture Revenue
  1. Big Tech companies are experiencing a mix of record revenue and deep layoffs as they navigate the costs of developing new technologies like AI and mixed reality.
  2. Apple may face challenges with the Vision Pro as it might not reach mass-market success until 2030 or beyond, despite initial hype.
  3. Google is acknowledging the need to address its slow-moving culture by simplifying its organizational structure and removing layers to improve efficiency.

The job seekers guide on how to evaluate a VC backed tech startup 🚀

Channels of Growth • 1257 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
💼 Business Startups Investment Company Culture Product-Market Fit
  1. Job seekers need resources to evaluate tech startups they are considering working for.
  2. Focus on joining a startup with a good product at an early stage for high potential rewards.
  3. Evaluate the team, culture, and product market fit to set yourself up for a successful career in VC-backed tech startups.

Analytics Team: Strategic Partner or Service Org?

Elena's Growth Scoop • 1139 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
💼 Business Data Management Company Culture Decision-making
  1. Having a data-driven culture is important for making informed decisions and connecting actions to business outcomes.
  2. In many companies, data is not well managed and can lead to frustration when trying to implement a data-driven culture too soon.
  3. Striking a balance and ensuring data accuracy is crucial before pushing for a data-driven culture.

Managing Developer Feedback Effectively | Atlassian’s Andrew Boyagi

Dev Interrupted • 14 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development DevOps Productivity Feedback Company Culture
  1. Using surveys alone isn't enough for getting developer feedback. It's better to use data and metrics to understand their issues more clearly.
  2. Setting clear goals for improving developer experience can help align teams better and boost productivity. Everyone needs to be on the same page.
  3. Company culture plays a big role in connecting development efforts with business goals. A positive culture makes it easier for teams to work together effectively.

Building a technical career path at Spotify

It Depends / Nimble Autonomy • 19 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Career development Engineering Company Culture Leadership
  1. Spotify emphasizes that career paths should fit the company's culture. Using a framework from another company often doesn't work well.
  2. Creating a career path framework should happen after seeing a real need for it, rather than forcing it too early in a company's growth.
  3. The Spotify model focuses on team success and personal growth, not just climbing a ladder. It encourages diverse development without penalizing role changes.

Glassdoor may hate us, but here’s why our employees love us

Creating Value from Nothing • 159 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Human Resources Hiring Process Company Culture Remote work
  1. The company uses case studies in the hiring process to gauge candidates' writing skills, which are essential in their remote work environment. They want to see how well candidates can communicate their ideas.
  2. Feedback from employees is collected through surveys and stay interviews to understand their experiences and improve the company. This helps the company avoid becoming too corporate and stay aligned with its values.
  3. The hiring process is designed to be fair and based on talent rather than connections or credentials. While some may find it tough, it aims to find the best fit for the company.

Company Culture and Leadership

Fish Food for Thought • 13 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
💼 Business Leadership Company Culture Corporate ethics Scandals Employee engagement
  1. A company's culture often reflects its leadership. If leaders ignore ethics, the whole organization can suffer as a result.
  2. Leaders must take accountability for their company's actions. Not addressing unethical behavior can lead to major problems down the line.
  3. Creating a safe space for employees to speak up is important. When employees feel heard, it helps prevent small issues from becoming large scandals.

TBM 227: Explicit vs. Implicit Strategy

The Beautiful Mess • 1507 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
💼 Business Strategy Leadership Team Dynamics Product Management Company Culture
  1. A strategy should be a clear description of challenges, decisions on what to address, and specific actions to impact those challenges.
  2. Translating strategy into tangible goals and budgets is crucial for making it meaningful to people in the organization.
  3. Creating a safe space for hard discussions, dedicating time for strategy development, and focusing on deployment are essential for making a strategy effective.

TBM 272: The Biggest Opportunity (Part 2)

The Beautiful Mess • 661 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Management Workplace dynamics Career development Company Culture Productivity
  1. Skilled pragmatists in companies can represent a major opportunity for improvement. They are reliable and capable but may not go above and beyond due to skepticism about the value of extra effort.
  2. When trying to improve behaviors in a team, it is crucial to be specific about the desired actions and outcomes. Vague terms like 'drive' or 'passion' can lead to misunderstandings.
  3. Listening to individuals in different categories can provide valuable insights for understanding motivations and barriers to certain behaviors in a team. Embracing diversity in perspectives is key to achieving more together.

Why Mobility is the Key to Innovation

Sarah’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 14 Jul 24
💼 Business Innovation Leadership Investment Growth Company Culture
  1. Mobility is crucial for innovation, as it allows people, ideas, and resources to move around. When talented people switch companies, they bring new ideas that can spark creativity.
  2. A growth mindset is important for companies to thrive. When employees learn from challenges and share their skills, it helps the whole organization improve and innovate.
  3. Successful companies mix long-term employees with new talent. This blend helps keep the culture strong while also bringing in fresh ideas to drive growth.

201. Does your company serve "weenies" or "shrimp"?

Hardcore Software • 337 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
💼 Business Company Culture Employee Benefits Workforce management
  1. A famous memo at Microsoft highlighted the importance of being cost-conscious and avoiding extravagance.
  2. The concept of 'Shrimp and Weenies' emphasized the need for frugality, even in a successful company like Microsoft.
  3. The challenges of maintaining a lean and efficient culture as a company grows in size were evident at Microsoft and continue to be relevant in other companies.

How I almost quit because of $75

Leading Developers • 114 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💼 Business Workplace Challenges Personal Growth Career decisions Company Culture Team Dynamics
  1. Throughout your career, there will be moments where you consider quitting. It's important to weigh the reasons behind your feelings and analyze your options before making a decision.
  2. Sometimes, finding new challenges and growth opportunities can be discovered outside of work. Exploring different avenues and testing your skills in various areas can provide valuable experiences.
  3. Building strong relationships with colleagues and having trust in your team and the direction of your company can be key factors in deciding to stay and overcome challenges at work.

Book Review: “Working Backwards” by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr 4/5

Poczwardowski Notes • 78 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
💼 Business Company Culture Innovation Product Development
  1. Amazon's success is attributed to its unique culture that fosters innovation and success in various domains.
  2. The book highlights Amazon's key principles, processes, and culture, and shares stories of successful product developments like Kindle, Prime, Prime Video, and AWS.
  3. Amazon's approach to creating new products, including using 'Working Backwards' method and the 'Narratives and the Six-Pagers' concept, showcases their emphasis on effective communication and clear thinking.

"Top Employer"

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
💼 Business Human Resources Company Culture Transparency
  1. Being named a 'Top Employer' by the Top Employer Institute involves a process audit - it doesn't necessarily reflect on all aspects of being a great place to work.
  2. The certification criteria for 'Top Employer' mainly focus on HR processes and branding, leaving out key factors like employee sentiment, safety, turnover, and retention.
  3. The process of getting certified as a 'Top Employer' raises questions about transparency and whether the opinions and experiences of employees are truly being considered.