The hottest Consulting Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Crash Course in Corporate Financial Restructuring

DeFi Education • 519 implied HN points • 08 Jul 22
💰 Finance Consulting
  1. Corporate financial restructuring helps businesses recover from financial difficulties. It's like giving a struggling company a fresh start.
  2. The topic is complex and many experts have written books about it. This means there’s a lot to learn that can't be covered in just one article.
  3. Understanding the key points of restructuring can help people make better decisions in business. It's important to grasp the basics if you're involved in finance.

Engineering Managers Should Not Exist

Victor’s Substack • 41 HN points • 26 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Consulting
  1. Software engineering managers should not exist as they generally take on multiple roles poorly, whereas specialists could excel at each task.
  2. Engineering managers often were mediocre engineers who compensated by picking up non-engineering tasks and ended up in managerial roles.
  3. Best teams often function well without an engineering manager observing their every move, allowing engineers to focus and be more productive.

Before Claudine Gay retroactively corrected her plagiarized PhD thesis... there was Terrell Strayhorn

Karlstack • 433 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🚌 Education Consulting
  1. Terrell Strayhorn faced consequences for financial misconduct and plagiarism, leading to a downgrade in his academic career.
  2. The case highlighted the controversial practice of retroactively correcting theses to address plagiarism issues, as seen in the examples of Strayhorn and Claudine Gay.
  3. The story of Terrell Strayhorn serves as a larger commentary on the issues within the DEI-industrial complex and the exploitation of noble ideals for personal gain in academic circles.

What is growth?

42 Slash • 117 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Growth involves connecting tech infrastructure and tracking leads for proper growth.
  2. Helping clients figure out their PLG model is essential for growth.
  3. Analyzing sales calls and running interviews to find insights can significantly improve growth strategies.
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7 Essential Templates for Data Analytics Consulting

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 541 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Have essential templates ready for data analytics consulting to speed up document creation and ensure clear processes.
  2. Key templates include a discovery template, proposal and SOW, basic deck, project kick-off email, onboarding checklist, and update email.
  3. Using templates like these can help in landing clients, maintaining communication, and streamlining project workflows.

DirectorMoves Weekend Read

DirectorMoves • 98 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Turnover risk among senior leadership is a top concern in boardrooms.
  2. Boards are discussing and taking action on turnover concerns.
  3. DirectorMoves newsletter tracks Board & C-suite changes and identifies openings.

Competitive Specialization in Founder Support

Equal Ventures • 79 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Venture firms often lack competitive specialization, unlike private equity which frequently employs this strategy to allow various team members with complementary specialties to work together on deals.
  2. Competitive specialization within firms, like having dedicated industry leads, can empower teams to perform at their best, focus on their strengths, and deliver exceptional value to founders.
  3. Empowering team members to specialize in their unique skill sets and roles can lead to innovative approaches, better outcomes in deals, and overall team growth and satisfaction.

2024 Consulting Salaries released 🤑

Boiling The Ocean • 59 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Consulting
  1. 2024 consulting salaries have been released, with firms like Bain, McKinsey, and ghSMART receiving top rankings.
  2. Firms are engaging in 'Greenhushing' - scaling back on communicating their sustainability efforts.
  3. Vault's top 50 global consultancies have been announced, highlighting top firms across various categories.

10 Years of Solo Consulting

burkhardstubert • 159 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Going solo as a consultant can be a great decision, leading to better income, work-life balance, and personal fulfillment. It allows for more freedom and opportunities to enjoy life outside of work.
  2. Positioning your services based on expertise rather than price is essential. It helps attract the right clients and reduces competition by showcasing what makes you unique.
  3. Listening to client needs is crucial for success. Asking open-ended questions about their future goals helps identify how you can provide the most value.

A few charts on where AI adoption is going

Tanay’s Newsletter • 113 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Consulting
  1. The cost of using advanced AI models has dropped dramatically, making it easier for businesses to experiment and integrate AI into their products. This change opens up new possibilities for reaching millions of users.
  2. Reinforcement learning is proving effective for tasks with clear outcomes, which could lead to better performance of AI models over time. As these models improve, we can expect more widespread use of AI.
  3. The journey to adopting AI takes time, but it's happening faster than past innovations like electricity or telephones. Today, a significant portion of people are regularly using AI tools.

10 Years of Solo Consulting (Part 3)

burkhardstubert • 119 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Working solo allows you to empower clients and make them self-sufficient, rather than keeping them dependent on your services. This helps clients gain control and improves their development processes.
  2. Choosing the right business structure, like staying freelance or incorporating a company, can greatly affect your taxes and financial management. It's important to understand these options early and adapt as needed.
  3. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for avoiding burnout. Engaging in activities like hiking helps relieve stress and provides a mental break from work.

Performance Agencies are Terrible

42 Slash • 98 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Most clients find working with performance agencies a waste of time and money.
  2. Hire a performance agency when you are ready to scale and have clear product and marketing foundations.
  3. Avoid performance agencies if you need help solving fundamental business issues and focus on product-market fit instead.

Week 4 Recap at Vixul

Michael’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Preparing for a pitch session at Vixul involves defining positioning, value propositions, and unique services
  2. Focusing on a specific audience and problem enhances lead generation efforts
  3. Mentorship and community support play a significant role in entrepreneurial development at Vixul

Industry needs an education in the value of a PhD

The Recovering Academic • 98 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. PhDs possess valuable skills for the industry, which may require education from companies to realize their worth.
  2. Transitioning from academia to industry may involve networking and seeking help from non-academic contacts.
  3. When applying for jobs as a non-conventional candidate, connecting with people within the organization can help stand out amidst more conventional applicants.

What I Enjoy 🤝 What Makes Money: some insights | #50

The Pole • 39 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Find the intersection of what you find interesting, what makes an impact, and what produces income when deciding on work.
  2. To make profitable videos, having valuable skills, working with clients who have money, and understanding the reasons people buy things are key.
  3. When pursuing work, focus on what brings meaning over just creating, consider the balance between practicing and studying, and do what comes naturally to you while facing challenges.

Being an Engineering Manager at IKEA businesses

Leading Developers • 59 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Working in a big company like IKEA means understanding its history and complexity. Engineers need to be humble and learn from the existing systems and processes before proposing changes.
  2. Communication and collaboration are key. New engineering managers should focus on making meetings productive and should not rely too much on consultants to solve problems.
  3. Engineers at IKEA are expected to engage deeply with the business. It's important to know how things work beyond just coding, and it's essential to build relationships and trust within teams.

Opp Consulting is a Scam

startupdreams • 105 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Opp Consulting promised qualified leads and guaranteed meetings but failed to deliver. Instead, they sent mass emails that damaged the company's reputation.
  2. The consulting service charged a lot of money but did not follow through on their commitments. After 90 days, not a single meeting was scheduled.
  3. If you're considering using Opp Consulting, it's best to stay away to avoid wasting your resources. They have been labeled a scam based on this experience.

What's in store for me in 2024

Silver Bulletin • 347 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
💼 Business Consulting
  1. 2023 was a successful year for the author, focusing on a new book and newsletter.
  2. The author values independence and plans to work on multiple projects in 2024.
  3. The author's plans for 2024 include continuing the newsletter, finishing their book, launching a podcast, and resolving election modeling.

Insights into the future role of public relations in management

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Public relations saw a boost during the COVID-19 pandemic, which suggests its potential future importance in management. It's important to understand how PR can be both positive and negative depending on its use.
  2. The author has faced difficulties developing a strong argument and is currently reconsidering his work to make it more dynamic and engaging. It often requires starting over to create better clarity and focus.
  3. The connection between management and public relations is not well-studied yet, and there's a chance to make meaningful contributions to this field. Tightening the research scope could help in making it more manageable and impactful.

The cult of data has gone too far

Wednesday Wisdom • 113 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Consulting
  1. Relying too much on data can lead to wrong decisions because numbers don't always tell the full story. Sometimes, human judgment or understanding is needed.
  2. Data can create a false sense of certainty, making people ignore the uncertainties and assumptions behind those numbers. It's important to be honest about what the data truly represents.
  3. Setting goals based on numbers can make teams lose sight of the real-world processes they are supposed to improve. Chasing metrics blindly can lead to poor outcomes.

Week 14 - Avengers Assemble

ChatGPT4 as a CEO and Underdog Founders • 78 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. The author is using GPT-4 AI to help build a startup with limited resources and time.
  2. Collaborating with experienced advisors can help in decision-making and optimizing marketing strategies.
  3. Delegating tasks to free up time, working with interns, and valuing stable routines are important for productivity and work-life balance.

Week 1 Recap at Vixul

Michael’s Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Vixul is an accelerator for tech services businesses aiming to provide resources similar to SaaS founders.
  2. Quarterly planning is crucial for solopreneurs to make progress on business goals and reduce firefighting.
  3. Founders should account for personal time as a business cost to accurately assess profit margins.

The Place of Abundance In Wealth Creation

Day One • 858 implied HN points • 07 Apr 20
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Fortune favors the brave - those who dare are often the ones who succeed.
  2. Action is key - starting and going through the process brings clarity and reveals unforeseen challenges.
  3. Value creation leads to wealth - anyone can become wealthy by monetizing skills and knowledge that solve problems.

✅ Edelman and the trust business

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 159 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. People are losing faith in institutions due to disinformation and economic issues. Only businesses are seen as ethical and competent right now.
  2. Edelman uses its Trust Barometer to guide public relations practices, but it also faces criticism for not being transparent about its own issues, like its work with high-emission clients.
  3. While Edelman’s Trust Barometer is valuable for the PR industry, it's important to also question its methods and ethics to ensure trust and understanding.

Core 4 fails the vanity metric test

Dev Interrupted • 28 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Consulting
  1. Not all metrics are useful. Some, like the Developer Experience Index, are hard to understand and can't show real improvement, making them less valuable for teams.
  2. It's important to focus on clear, actionable metrics. Rather than following complex frameworks, using simple and proven methods can help teams improve effectively.
  3. Measuring too much can lead to inaction. Organizations should spend more time improving their processes and less time on endless metrics and reports.

The consulting grass needs watering to be greener

Kenny’s Sub • 39 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Freelancing allows for more control and fulfillment in your work. You can choose projects that excite you instead of being stuck in a regular job.
  2. It's important to build strong relationships and always keep your pipeline full. Referrals can greatly help in getting new clients and sustaining your business.
  3. Shifting your mindset about value and time is crucial. It's about delivering impact, not just billing hours, and you can charge for the value you bring.

10 Years of Solo Consulting (Part 2)

burkhardstubert • 79 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. It's important to charge more for strategic advice compared to implementation work. Clients often don't realize the value they get from your expertise, so it's beneficial to price according to the value you create.
  2. Using productized services can save time and increase income. These services combine a standard product with a small amount of customization for each client, allowing you to charge more consistently.
  3. Setting your own payment terms can lead to better cash flow and less hassle. By charging clients upfront or setting clear rules about payments, you can avoid the stress of late payments and complicated contracts.

Tell me what you want (in this publication)

The New Urban Order • 39 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. The author is looking to engage with their audience through new ways like podcasts and events in 2024.
  2. The publication features a diverse range of subscribers with unique backgrounds and focuses, such as urban housing design, homelessness initiatives, and carbon footprint awareness.
  3. There is a call for readers to share their thoughts and preferences through a short survey, encouraging engagement with the publication.

“Off” the newsletter break

Bold & Open • 39 implied HN points • 10 Dec 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. The author is returning to writing newsletters after a two-year break and is excited to share new content with subscribers.
  2. During the break, they explored various projects, like coaching and writing, to find out what they were passionate about and what would benefit their audience.
  3. The focus for the new newsletter phase will be on open organizations and communities, showcasing success stories and providing insights for readers.

Q&A with IBM CEO Arvind Krishna

More Than Moore • 93 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💼 Business Consulting
  1. IBM is focusing on consulting, cloud services, AI, and research, as it no longer has a consumer division. Companies turn to IBM for help in improving efficiency and upgrading their technology.
  2. The launch of new AI models, like Granite, shows IBM's commitment to innovation in AI. They believe smaller, more efficient models are the future, making AI cheaper and easier to use.
  3. IBM is changing its approach to partnerships, focusing on collaboration with other companies instead of competing. This strategy helps enhance their offerings and build stronger business relationships.

The Courage to Coach

Notes in the Margins • 59 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Leah Farmer focuses on coaching, which she finds exciting and fulfilling.
  2. Leah specializes in Professional & Executive Coaching, Vision & Strategy Consulting, Life & Change Coaching, and Working Genius Facilitation.
  3. Her coaching philosophy revolves around curiosity, connection, and courage to change.

MBB vs other consultancy companies

An Ode to Restlessness • 19 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Working for a large consulting company like MBB gives you more project options. This means you can explore different types of work and find what you really enjoy.
  2. MBB has a reputation for high quality because of the top talent they hire. This means you'll be working with smart people and on exciting projects, which can lead to unique experiences.
  3. Having MBB on your resume opens doors for future opportunities. Whether you stay in consulting or move on to another career, the experience and connections you gain at MBB will help you succeed.

Downside Only, Again

Confronting the Future • 39 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
💰 Finance Consulting
  1. Regulators are often underpaid and understaffed compared to financial industry professionals.
  2. Regulators receive blame but not enough credit for their work in maintaining financial stability.
  3. Regulators face challenges in knowledge and resources when dealing with the fast-paced and chaotic crypto industry.

The Freedom of Freelancing

kleandata • 39 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
💼 Business Consulting
  1. Freelancing offers flexibility in work hours and location.
  2. Analytics engineering work is well-suited for freelance contracts.
  3. Freelancing can lead to higher earning potential through diverse projects and multiple clients.