The hottest Corporate culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Hell is other people: performance management at Big Tech

lcamtuf’s thing • 282 HN points • 29 Jan 24
💼 Business Tech Companies Performance Management Promotions Corporate culture
  1. Performance management at Big Tech companies can cause anxiety and stress among employees due to the focus on fairness and comparison with peers.
  2. Tech companies like Google have introduced peer-based performance evaluations to enhance fairness and transparency.
  3. Despite efforts to create more egalitarian performance management processes, the actual outcomes often involve bland feedback and reliance on managers for decisions.

Towards a new Golden Generation

Japan Optimist • 216 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
💼 Business Workforce Economics Jobs Corporate culture Labor Market
  1. Japan's young generation is set to be economically better off than their parents due to demographic changes.
  2. As labor supply decreases, wages and job quality are increasing in Japan, leading to a rise in full-time job creation.
  3. There is a shift in Japan towards valuing and investing in human capital as the country moves towards a new golden age for its young generation.

Output vs. Outcomes - Problem #4

Fish Food for Thought • 17 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
💼 Business Management Strategy Product Development Performance Metrics Corporate culture
  1. It's important to focus on outcomes, not just outputs. Companies should ask themselves if their efforts really make a difference for customers.
  2. Measuring success by outputs can lead to short-term wins but might miss real problems. Companies should aim for quality and value instead of just quantity.
  3. Shifting to an outcome-driven approach means redefining success metrics. Businesses should prioritize customer satisfaction and engagement over just the number of tasks completed.

Japan Reality Check #4: In praise of the Salaryman CEO

Japan Optimist • 176 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
💼 Business Leadership Corporate culture Performance Profitability
  1. Japanese Salaryman CEOs have shown extraordinary resilience and competence in delivering corporate economic value and profitability.
  2. Data shows that Japanese Salaryman CEOs have outperformed Wall Street Superstar CEOs in terms of profit increase without relying on rising sales.
  3. While Japanese Salaryman CEOs have significantly increased profits, their compensation has only risen modestly, maintaining a close link between performance and pay.

Intellectual Laziness

MD&A • 404 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
💼 Business Finance Management Strategy Corporate culture Accounting
  1. Intellectual laziness can lead to catastrophic corporate failures, as seen in the case of GE and SVB.
  2. Managers who prioritize manipulating short-term earnings over creating long-term shareholder value are intellectually lazy.
  3. Intellectual rigor is essential in identifying underrated managers and avoiding overrated ones.
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Boeing Stock Rallies Along With Employee Suicide Rates in What Wall Street Is Calling “The Greatest Workforce Reduction Since Last Quarter”

Davidovits! • 59 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💼 Business Stock Market Corporate culture Investor Relations
  1. Boeing stock is rising despite a surge in employee suicide rates, leading to a significant reduction in workforce and more profits
  2. Boeing leadership's controversial approach includes encouraging employees to end their lives to maximize profits, which is drawing criticism from economists
  3. Investors are pleased with Boeing's focus on reducing workforce and increasing profits, showcasing the unusual inverse correlation between employee happiness and financial gains

The Myth of the Startup in a Large Company

It Depends / Nimble Autonomy • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
💼 Business Corporate culture Innovation Startups Management Leadership
  1. Large companies often struggle to create a true startup culture. Their existing systems usually stifle the innovation and energy that startups thrive on.
  2. In big companies, the lack of risk and the security of a paycheck can actually kill motivation. Employees may feel less ownership of their projects, which can make them less engaged.
  3. One way to encourage innovation is to create actual independent startups within the company. This allows employees to take risks and have more stake in the outcome, which can lead to better results.

The Sheer Stupidity of Sweating the Small Stuff

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Management Leadership Organizational Behavior Resources Corporate culture
  1. Broken windows theory highlights the impact of respecting the environment on criminal behavior, where fixing small issues can prevent larger violations.
  2. Sweating the small stuff in management can lead to top-heaviness, allowing unproductive managers to justify their positions by focusing on trivial matters.
  3. Overemphasizing minor issues can distract from addressing real problems and lead to ineffective management, ignoring actual priorities and resource allocation.

Firing You to Support You Better

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
💼 Business Management Employment Corporate culture Ethics Layoffs
  1. Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) can be used positively to help employees improve their performance or negatively to push employees out of a company.
  2. Amazon utilizes PIPs in a controversial way, including forcing 'Type 2 PIPs' on employees to manage them out of the business, regardless of their actual performance.
  3. Misusing tools like PIPs, meant for improvement, can lead to unethical behaviors within organizations and potentially damaging consequences, such as increased layoffs.

How a culture fail ruined Boeing

Make Work Better • 114 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership Employment Corporate culture Productivity Economic Growth
  1. Boeing failed multiple safety tests, leading to accidents and loss of lives, due to a shift towards prioritizing stock price over quality
  2. A strong corporate culture requires aligning stated values with actual behaviors, empowering employees to make decisions based on those values
  3. Businesses that lose sight of their purpose and focus solely on chasing money risk facing significant organizational failures

Taking Advantage

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
💼 Business Corporate culture
  1. Real-world examples reveal the gaps between principles and actions in organizations
  2. Interim roles can be abused by employers if not managed properly
  3. Amazon's use of step-ups highlights potential issues with turnover, promotion processes, and cost management

Remember, They Don't Care About You

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💼 Business Employment Corporate culture Layoffs Human Resources
  1. Interests often outweigh values in the corporate world, leading to a lack of loyalty towards employees.
  2. Companies may claim to value employees, but continue laying off staff even when profitable, showcasing a lack of genuine care.
  3. Value systems in corporations may be used to shape employee behavior rather than protect their experience, highlighting a shift towards instrumental use of values.

Not Earth's Best Employer

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Corporate culture Employee Relations Leadership Workforce management
  1. Amazon's shift towards a strict return-to-office policy after the pandemic has caused employees to face unexpected challenges and disruptions in their work-life balance.
  2. The company's focus on cost control and downsizing has led to a shift away from its previous values, resulting in the departure of talented employees and a potential brain drain.
  3. The tactics employed by Amazon, such as enforcing compliance through threats and disregarding prior assurances, raise concerns about the company's treatment of its employees and its adherence to its own stated values.

"A Problem With Authority"—The Person You Think You Are Punching May Not Exist

72 Degrees North • 59 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Management Workplace dynamics Corporate culture Bureaucracy Hierarchy
  1. There may not be people who inherently have a problem with authority, it could be a construct created by workplace environments.
  2. Disobeying authority doesn't necessarily stem from resistance to orders, but could be rooted in impatience, arrogance, or ego.
  3. Corporate hierarchy and authority can sometimes be arbitrary and driven by societal norms rather than individual merit or charisma.

The End of ESG?

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 98 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
💼 Business Investing Corporate culture Global Economy
  1. BlackRock's Larry Fink disowns the term ESG due to its weaponization by different political sides, showing a shift in the discourse in the financial system.
  2. Investors are becoming more critical of woke ideologies impacting businesses, as seen in stock losses by companies embracing certain ideologies.
  3. The potential rebranding of ESG indicates a shift in focus but doesn't eliminate the underlying goals of corporate influence and control.

Inside Meta’s Chaos, StackOverflow on Its Last Legs, & the Makefile Effect

HackerPulse Dispatch • 2 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Tech Trends Corporate culture AI Impact Programming Languages
  1. StackOverflow is facing a big decline, with questions down over 70% since 2023. Many users are frustrated with the moderation and are turning to AI tools for support instead.
  2. Electron has been popular for building desktop apps, but it has some issues like heavy memory use. New frameworks like Tauri are coming up as better alternatives.
  3. The 'Makefile effect' shows that engineers often copy and adapt existing setups instead of creating new ones due to tools being too complex. This highlights the need for better tool design to make things easier.

Ageism Part II: Getting Fired

Ladyparts • 399 implied HN points • 06 Feb 22
💼 Business Ageism Gender inequality Corporate culture
  1. Being a middle-aged woman in corporate America can lead to being put on performance improvement plans and ultimately getting fired due to age and salary considerations.
  2. Despite impressive professional accomplishments and dedication, middle-aged women may be deemed too expensive by employers who prioritize cost-cutting over employee loyalty.
  3. Discrimination laws and protections may not be enough to prevent middle-aged women from being targeted for termination under the guise of performance issues.

Why Coca-Cola is the number one employer of choice in America

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 59 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
💼 Business Employment Corporate culture Talent Management Recruitment Human Resources
  1. Coca-Cola is highly ranked as an employer because it offers transparency about job opportunities. Employees can easily find and apply for jobs worldwide through an online portal.
  2. The company encourages all employees to take short skill-building assignments across different departments. This helps keep employees engaged and learning.
  3. Coca-Cola's focus on hiring practices, promotion opportunities, and a supportive culture contributes to employee retention, making it a desirable place to work.

Bringing your whole self to work with Pride Pledge

A B’Old Woman • 199 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
💼 Business Corporate culture Diversity Employee engagement
  1. The Pride Pledge aims to help businesses show support for LGBTQIA+ communities, but it's also a money-making venture. Many companies pay for services like consultations and training to get a badge of approval.
  2. Diversity in the workplace can lead to both positive and negative experiences. It's important to recognize that bringing your whole self to work may not feel safe for everyone, especially those with differing views.
  3. There is a strong focus on the benefits of a diverse workplace, like improved employee engagement and brand reputation, but there is a need for real statistics to back up these claims.

Compensation is Communication

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
💼 Business Management Organizational Behavior Corporate culture Human Resources Career development
  1. Compensation is a clear signal from an employer to an employee, offering insights into future viability with the company and helping individuals frame expectations and make decisions.
  2. Organizational cultures often hide true intentions behind layers of confusing messaging, especially regarding compensation, which may not necessarily reflect individual performance but rather the company's desire for retention.
  3. Understanding the true meaning behind raises can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their future within a company, recognizing signals of either retention or potential exit based on financial health and performance evaluations.

Nobody's gonna break my stride

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
💼 Business Work ethic Career development Technology Industry Corporate culture
  1. Being recognized for your hard work can feel really good and help ease any worries about your value to a team. It's nice to know that others appreciate your efforts.
  2. Finding your own pace at work is important for success. Working hard and improving your speed can make a big difference in how you are viewed by others.
  3. Taking a break to explore new adventures can be beneficial. Remembering the hard work you put in can help you stay motivated for future opportunities.

How To Lose Customers & Alienate People

Build To Scale • 59 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
💼 Business Management Leadership Customer Relations Investment Corporate culture
  1. Talk to customers and employees, but don't bother listening. Just talk about your vision and plans without engaging in meaningful conversations.
  2. Don't shy away from bad news and blame it on employees. Overreact publicly, especially to junior staff, to discourage them from sharing any negative news.
  3. Focus on competitors, raise money, surround yourself with yes-men, disregard customer needs, and prioritize optics over actual performance if you want to lose touch with your business and alienate people.

Manpower over Machines: The Calculated Gamble of BYD

Tech Buzz China Insider • 59 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
💼 Business EVs Investment Logistics Manufacturing Corporate culture
  1. BYD evolved from a struggling mobile lithium battery business to a top-selling passenger car brand in China, showcasing explosive growth within two years.
  2. The three main business segments of BYD are automotive, mobile components and assembly, and secondary rechargeable batteries and photovoltaics.
  3. Automotive sector is the primary revenue generator for BYD, contributing 100% to revenue growth and solidifying its position as the pillar industry.

The Math of Burnout

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Work-life balance Corporate culture Self-care
  1. Burnout is normalized in the contemporary work environment causing adverse health consequences and professional crises.
  2. The root cause of burnout is severe, persistent task saturation and excessive workload, leading individuals to fall further behind and eventually break down.
  3. Fixing burnout requires controlling individual worker investment of time and effort by measuring workload and ensuring it fits within available time.

Compromise is the only way to make hybrid stick

Make Work Better • 157 implied HN points • 05 May 23
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Remote work Corporate culture AI Impact
  1. Compromise is essential to make hybrid work successfully in organizations.
  2. Stricter office time policies are being implemented by some organizations to foster teamwork and connectedness among employees.
  3. Younger workers may be facing challenges with remote work, such as lack of feedback and understanding workplace norms.

Purpose wins. Who loses?

Thoughts on Writing • 359 implied HN points • 19 Jul 21
💼 Business Advertising Corporate culture Industry Trends Business Ethics
  1. The advertising industry has heavily emphasized purpose-driven work in creative awards schemes over the past two decades, potentially losing touch with reality.
  2. Brand purpose, while important, can sometimes become a shield that is hard to challenge, leading to debates on whether it truly benefits causes or if it is a commercial strategy.
  3. The importance of creativity, craft, and ideas in advertising and branding is highlighted, suggesting a refocus on these elements over a strong emphasis on social purpose.

Corporate culture starts at the top

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
💼 Business Corporate culture Leadership Management Employee Relations Organizational Behavior
  1. Leadership sets the culture of a company. If managers are good, employees will stay, but bad managers drive people away.
  2. High employee turnover often means poor corporate culture. People leave bad work environments, showing how they really feel about their jobs.
  3. Companies with staggered boards tend to have worse cultures. This setup allows old board members to stay, making it hard for shareholders to demand changes.

Take the money and run or stay and fight part 2

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
💼 Business Corporate culture Workplace dynamics Career development Human Resources
  1. It's common for companies to put employees through performance improvement plans (PIPs), often leading to layoffs. Many people believe accepting severance is the best option.
  2. Working as a team and having supportive colleagues can make a huge difference during tough times. Conversations with teammates can provide the encouragement needed to stay and fight.
  3. Taking on a challenging project can be a valuable opportunity for growth. It allows for gaining experience and testing one's abilities while still in a job.

Fools and Horses

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
💼 Business Workforce management Corporate culture Leadership Organizational Behavior
  1. Pushing a team too hard can lead to negative consequences despite short-term gains. Just like overworking horses can lead to their breaking, overworking employees can lead to burnout and reduced efficiency.
  2. Managers should not ignore ethical concerns in pursuit of business results. It's important to prioritize employee well-being over just achieving immediate goals.
  3. Systemic issues like work overload cannot be solved by individual efforts alone. Companies must address root causes and provide adequate resources to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work environment.

What's Happening With Boeing

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Aviation Corporate culture Government Relations
  1. The article discusses the issues surrounding Boeing, pointing out concerns with past crashes and design flaws in their aircrafts.
  2. The 'Five Whys' technique is highlighted as a method to dig deeper into the root causes of problems, exemplified in the analysis of Boeing's design and manufacturing practices.
  3. The strong influence of corporate culture, lack of competition, and government support are outlined as key factors contributing to Boeing's survival despite repeated failures.

The Company Wants You Back in the Office – RESIST!

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Remote work Corporate culture Labor Market
  1. Many employees prefer working from home for the flexibility it offers in their lives and are hesitant to return to the office for multiple days per week.
  2. Companies are facing challenges convincing workers to return to the office due to changing preferences and economic factors like labor shortages.
  3. Employees have some leverage to resist returning to the office and should consider continuing to work from home to maintain their independence and strength.

The Propaganda Paradox

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership Communication Corporate culture Employee Relations Organizational dynamics
  1. Companies can fall into the trap of using internal propaganda to influence their employees, but this often backfires, eroding trust and confidence.
  2. Staged interactions and lack of authenticity in leader propaganda can make employees disengage and lose confidence in leadership.
  3. Highlighting frontline workers' stories can build unity and purpose within a team and should be prioritized over showcasing senior executives in internal communications.

Splitting Versus Blending: An AI-Inspired Theory of Neurotypical Advantage

72 Degrees North • 19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Social Behavior Corporate culture Autism
  1. Neurodiversity includes a range of communication styles, each with unique advantages and disadvantages.
  2. Allistic individuals tend to blend multiple possibilities in social interactions, which can lead to quicker decision-making but also vulnerability to manipulation.
  3. Psychopaths may exploit neurodivergent and neurotypical social tendencies for personal gain, highlighting the importance of understanding and navigating various communication styles.

How to be an effective leader [StoryTime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
💼 Business Leadership Technology Management Decision-making Corporate culture
  1. The article discusses insights from senior leaders in tech about decision-making skills and leadership abilities.
  2. It mentions the importance of learning about experiences, processes, and common motifs from successful leaders.
  3. The post is beneficial for developers aiming for career growth, managers seeking to enhance their skills, and those interested in high-level team dynamics.