The hottest Corporate strategy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Deep Dive into DuPont

The Polymerist • 182 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business Chemicals Innovation Financial Performance Corporate strategy Mergers & Acquisitions
  1. DuPont started as a company selling explosives before pivoting to synthetic polymer chemistry in the 1920s, leading to significant innovations like Nylon and Teflon.
  2. Chemours was spun off from DuPont due to the controversy around environmental issues related to Teflon, resulting in significant legal liabilities.
  3. Despite its reputation as a specialty chemicals company, DuPont's financial reports show challenges in generating high profits, possibly due to a focus on commoditized products and significant settlements.

The Pritzkers: Buffett's Blueprint

Neckar’s Notes • 159 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
💼 Business Corporate strategy Diversification
  1. Jay Pritzker's strategic intuition led to the success of the Hyatt chain and Marmon Holdings, influencing Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
  2. The Pritzker family values of entrepreneurship and business acumen were passed down through generations, contributing to their immense success and fortune.
  3. Jay Pritzker's partnership with his brother Bob, who excelled at complex turnarounds, was a key element in the Pritzker Method for business success.

My take on the OpenAI saga (bordering on conspiracy theory)

Laszlo’s Newsletter • 37 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Tech Ethics Innovation Regulation Corporate strategy
  1. Misalignment in startups can lead to problems, particularly when it comes to maintaining a clear direction in the long run.
  2. OpenAI began with aspirations for creating open-source AGI, but evolved over time to face challenges around commercialization and public perception.
  3. The explosion of AI advancements, especially with tools like ChatGPT, sparked global interest and scrutiny, leading to discussions on regulation and the future direction of OpenAI.

The Power of Skunkworks Projects (a conversation with ChatGPT)

An Innovator's Sketchbook • 98 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
💼 Business Innovation Organizational Culture Product Development Corporate strategy
  1. Large companies must grow through expanding market penetration or entering new markets, either by inventing new products or acquiring other companies.
  2. Challenges of creating successful new products in large companies include bureaucracy, risk aversion, resource competition, resistance to change, and short-term focus.
  3. Skunkworks projects are effective for innovation in large companies, requiring careful planning, autonomy, cross-functional teams, open communication, agile processes, and customer-centricity.
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Illumina: Prelude to Endgame

Nongaap Investing • 60 implied HN points • 15 May 23
💼 Business Corporate Governance Legal issues Corporate strategy Whistleblowing
  1. The Illumina-Grail brouhaha could involve fraud by omitting material facts about related party transactions.
  2. Corporate governance issues, like undisclosed financial relationships between decision-makers, are a significant concern in public markets.
  3. If proven, Illumina insiders may face consequences like disgorgement of profits, potential prison risks, and challenges from regulators.

Next Generation Conglomerates

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Conglomerates have shown success in the past but lost luster due to changing corporate strategies favoring focus and increased competition for acquisitions.
  2. The new generation of conglomerates, like Amazon and Apple, are creating platforms for developing new business lines rather than acquiring existing assets.
  3. Companies in the digital age are leveraging core capabilities and network effects to drive significant returns on equity, disrupting traditional business models.