The hottest Company Culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Big Technology 3878 implied HN points 02 Feb 24
  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 Beautiful Mess 552 implied HN points 11 Feb 24
  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.
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Leading Developers 113 implied HN points 27 Feb 24
  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.
Channels of Growth 1257 implied HN points 02 Jul 23
  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.
The Beautiful Mess 1258 implied HN points 18 Jun 23
  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.
Elena's Growth Scoop 1139 implied HN points 30 Jun 23
  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.
Dan’s Substack 2 HN points 19 Apr 24
  1. Salespeople being paid commissions is a common practice, but it can lead to various recurring problems like high turnover and internal disputes.
  2. Research suggests that higher incentives, like commissions, can actually reduce performance in some cases, which is a counter-intuitive result.
  3. The debate over sales commissions reflects two different views of worker motivation: Theory X, where employees are seen as lazy and need external rewards, and Theory Y, where workers are viewed as self-motivated and thrive on autonomy.
The Uncommon Executive 19 implied HN points 14 Mar 24
  1. C-level executive roles offer significant impact on company trajectory and industries, allowing for big bets and tangible results in a shorter timescale.
  2. Executives have more control over their schedule, better anticipation of risks, and the ability to create work for others at well-run companies.
  3. The executive role comes with overflowing stress from high-level accountability, feelings of loneliness at the top, and a distance from day-to-day operations.
Hardcore Software 334 implied HN points 11 Apr 23
  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.
Poczwardowski Notes 78 implied HN points 10 Nov 23
  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.
Behavioral Value Investor 126 implied HN points 30 Jul 23
  1. Prepare questions for a CEO interview to focus on 'what' and 'how' without being accusatory.
  2. Before interviewing a CEO, decide your goals such as learning, relationship building, or understanding culture.
  3. Topics to cover during a CEO interview include strategy, customers, economics, capital allocation, company culture, and CEO motivations.
Mica’s Newsletter 2 HN points 12 Mar 24
  1. In-person interactions are crucial for sparking spontaneous conversations and new ideas, which are often limited in structured remote meetings.
  2. Serendipitous connections among colleagues from different departments can lead to innovative features, products, and even startups.
  3. Designing workspaces to encourage interactions and chance encounters can be key to fostering creativity and innovation, as seen in examples like Building 20 at MIT and the Apple headquarters.
Sarah's Newsletter 199 implied HN points 10 May 22
  1. Company culture is critical for employee happiness and retention, with clear values fostering alignment and unity.
  2. Values in relationships and business overlap, emphasizing the importance of shared core beliefs for effective communication.
  3. Key principles like valuing individuals, balancing logic and emotion, trusting employees, and working with intention and urgency can drive success in company culture and relationships.
Suzan's Fieldnotes 58 implied HN points 24 Apr 23
  1. Building a positive culture where people feel empowered can unlock team potential.
  2. Emphasizing inclusion, equity, and access in the workplace is key for creating opportunities for everyone.
  3. As a leader, it's important to actively listen, create space for others, and build trust to shape and maintain a healthy team culture.