The hottest Corporate strategy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Saying The Quiet Part Out Loud

Investing 101 • 64 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. People in venture and business are playing different games — playing to win, playing for power, or playing to survive — and each game leads to different goals and behaviors.
  2. The real mistake is pretending everyone is playing the same game; not recognizing others' aims will make you compete on the wrong terms and cost you.
  3. Be deliberate about which game you choose and play it well; don’t let winners or power players drag you into their game if it doesn’t fit your goals.

Why everyone is mad at California voters, and the impolite fiction of the Nvidia-Groq deal

Alex's Personal Blog • 164 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Corporate strategy
  1. A proposed one-time billionaire wealth tax in California looks fair politically and could raise a lot for healthcare, but it's impractical because much billionaire wealth is illiquid and would force asset sales or borrowing to pay.
  2. Wealth taxes run up against mobility and incentives: the very rich can move or shift investments to lower-tax states, so the measure would likely cause capital flight and reduce long-term business activity and revenue for California.
  3. Nvidia's deal with Groq risks undermining competition in AI inference hardware by neutralizing a potential challenger, which could concentrate market power and make it harder for smaller firms to compete.

10-Minute Investment Autopsy No. 2: Ferrari

Behavioral Value Investor • 37 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
💰 Finance Corporate strategy
  1. Ferrari was seen as a better-than-expected business with low capital needs, lots of unserved demand, and deserved a luxury-style valuation.
  2. The investor’s unit forecast came true (≈9,000 cars) but earnings missed big — EBIT was €825M and margins 24% versus a €1.4B / 35% forecast — yet the stock still outperformed the market.
  3. Exact numeric precision wasn’t necessary: a strong qualitative thesis about business quality and demand drove good returns even though the detailed forecasts were off.

How the Product Bubble Burst

Cold Water • 20 HN points • 10 Sep 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. The Product Management bubble is bursting because the real economy and asset economy are becoming more disconnected. Investors were putting money into tech stories that weren't delivering real value.
  2. After years of inflated asset prices, investors now require proof of value rather than just potential. This shift is leading to a tougher environment for tech and startups.
  3. The rise of interest rates means tech companies can no longer just rely on good narratives without tangible results. Many jobs in the tech sector are at risk because of this change.

Movers, Shakers, & Money Makers (8/12)

Human Capitalist • 119 implied HN points • 13 Aug 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Many people are changing jobs in interesting ways, showing shifts in the job market. It’s worth noting when top talent moves to new companies.
  2. Some companies are aiming for global expansion, which adds to their value. This can affect how businesses compete and grow.
  3. The ongoing competition between Lyft and Uber highlights the importance of both financial performance and talent management in the ridesharing industry.
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Movers, Shakers, & Money Makers (7/22)

Human Capitalist • 159 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Many people changed jobs recently, including key leaders in companies like DoorDash and PepsiCo. These moves can show new strategies that companies might adopt.
  2. Some job changes could lead to interesting collaboration opportunities. For example, leaders moving to new companies might team up for projects that benefit both.
  3. Keeping an eye on job changes can help people understand market trends and potential shifts in industries. Knowing who is moving can help you anticipate business developments.

TBM 358: The Genius of SVPG

The Beautiful Mess • 1190 implied HN points • 16 May 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. The SVPG approach to change is effective because it gives leaders a way to improve their product practices without losing face. It helps them take action while feeling confident in their leadership.
  2. For change agents within a company, who you are and how you say things really matters. Sometimes, your message might not be heard because of who you are, so timing and framing are important.
  3. Making big changes in an organization is tough and messy. Real change often requires removing hidden barriers and understanding that success doesn't just come from having a good plan; it's about navigating complex situations.

Silent Stan: How Stan Kroenke Built A $20 Billion Sports Empire Using Walmart’s Real Estate Playbook

Huddle Up • 68 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. He turns sports teams into anchor tenants and controls the surrounding land so stadiums drive huge adjacent real estate value.
  2. By combining massive landholdings with ownership of top teams, he built a $20+ billion sports and real estate empire while operating privately.
  3. His anchor-tenant + land-control + long-timeline playbook is now being copied across sports, shifting negotiating power toward owners and changing how cities deal with teams.

Tech Oligarchs Have A Solution To The AI Bubble — You.

JoeWrote • 107 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Corporate strategy
  1. The AI boom was driven by exaggerated promises and speculation, but the big societal breakthroughs haven’t materialized and many AI projects are unprofitable while causing real harms like higher energy bills and unsafe outputs.
  2. Tech giants are pivoting from grand future visions to selling AI as an everyday utility and entertainment tool, trying to grow user bases to justify sky-high valuations.
  3. Because the industry is concentrated among the very rich, there’s a real risk they’ll push for taxpayer-funded bailouts if the bubble bursts, and rising inequality means ordinary people would suffer most from the fallout.

Movers, Shakers, & Money Makers #2

Human Capitalist • 458 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Several notable professionals recently changed jobs, showcasing their expertise in various industries, like AI, space, and cybersecurity.
  2. These job changes highlight the importance of strong leadership in tech and data-driven sectors, suggesting that skilled leaders can significantly impact a company's growth.
  3. Monitoring job changes can provide valuable insights for investors, recruiters, and professionals looking to network or track talent in their industry.

✨ The AI economy is here

Faster, Please! • 639 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. The use of AI is growing quickly in big companies like Amazon, which may lead to fewer jobs in some areas but could create new opportunities in others as tasks change.
  2. Top tech companies like Meta and OpenAI are competing fiercely for AI talent, offering huge salaries to attract skilled workers, showing how valuable this expertise is.
  3. Overall, AI is changing how work gets done, leading to job losses in repetitive tasks but also creating new roles and increasing productivity for skilled workers.

Is growth still good?

benn.substack • 1176 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Fast growth can be misleading in today's market. Just because a startup is making money quickly doesn't mean it has a solid long-term plan.
  2. Smaller, newer companies are often more innovative than big ones. Many tech leaders are looking to fresh, creative minds instead of established corporations for solutions.
  3. AI is creating a new type of workplace dynamic. Instead of making jobs easier, it could lead to roles that are more focused on managing technology than using creativity.

AI's Winners, Losers and Wannabes: Valuing the AI Boost at NVIDIA

Musings on Markets • 1179 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. The semiconductor industry has seen cycles of growth and maturity, with significant changes in who the biggest players are over time. Companies like NVIDIA have found success by targeting profitable niche markets.
  2. AI technology is currently a hot topic, with companies like NVIDIA and Microsoft seen as leaders. However, investors should be careful as many companies may falsely claim to be AI-focused, leading to potential losses if the wrong ones are chosen.
  3. When investing in AI-related companies, it's important to remember that not all will succeed. Past technological changes show that disruptive innovations can create a few big winners but also many failures.

Musk's Bid for OpenAI is Brilliant

startupdreams • 953 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Musk made a big offer of $97 billion to buy the for-profit part of OpenAI, much higher than the $40 billion OpenAI was planning to pay itself. This puts pressure on OpenAI's board to act responsibly.
  2. The offer complicates OpenAI's plans to turn entirely for-profit, making it harder for them to raise funds in the future. Musk's move puts the company in a tough position.
  3. Even after Musk's offer, OpenAI's leader, Altman, didn't address the implications in his response, suggesting he knows things are not going well for them.

The Oddest Man Out Among Our $Hundred-Billionaires: Elon Musk

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 492 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Elon Musk's wealth, largely tied to Tesla, is facing challenges as the company’s profit growth may not continue. The recent surge in Tesla's sales was helped by market conditions and celebrity status, but that charm seems to be fading.
  2. Many billionaires, especially those in tech, have consistent income from their businesses. In contrast, Musk's financial future looks uncertain as competition in the electric vehicle market increases and his brand image shifts.
  3. The reasons people used to buy Teslas included its innovation and eco-friendliness. Now, with Musk's controversial actions, many of those who once supported the brand are distancing themselves, which could hurt Tesla's future sales.

The Checkmate Move

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 479 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Corporate strategy
  1. Sam Altman is looking for talented people to challenge Apple, especially those who have worked on its products like the iPhone.
  2. He has teamed up with Jony Ive, a famous designer known for the iPhone, to work on a new AI hardware project.
  3. Altman's efforts show he's serious about competing in the tech scene and bringing fresh ideas to the market.

How did Nvidia find itself in a lose/lose game?

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Nvidia is facing a dilemma with its GPUs: if they wear out quickly from heavy use, companies might falsely report profits, but if they last longer, companies might look better financially overall.
  2. Investor concerns about GPU durability and accounting practices are causing tension in the market, leading Nvidia to defend its position with a memo.
  3. The ongoing debate around hardware depreciation could significantly impact Nvidia's profitability and the financial health of major tech companies.

High hopes

Klement on Investing • 4 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Most companies now use AI—about two-thirds—but actual use is light (roughly 1.5 hours per week for many) and adoption is rising rapidly.
  2. Measured productivity gains so far are tiny (around 0.3% over the last three years), yet firms expect much larger gains soon (about 1.4% over the next three years), revealing a big gap between past results and future hopes.
  3. Employers and employees disagree on jobs: employees often expect AI to create jobs, while employers report little past impact but anticipate modest job cuts ahead, especially in the US and UK.

Robots don't take your job. Bosses do

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 821 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Jobs are created not by robots but by the need for workers to operate businesses. Companies like Amazon rely heavily on their workers to exist.
  2. When companies automate or replace jobs with machines, it's really about the bosses choosing to spend money on technology instead of their employees. This often means fewer jobs.
  3. Economic growth doesn't necessarily mean better lives for workers. As technology advances, the pressure to keep up increases, leaving employees stressed and wanting.

Where is the Moat in AI?

In My Tribe • 258 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Intangible assets, like brand loyalty and know-how, can create lasting profits that are harder to compete against than physical resources like data centers.
  2. With AI, some jobs, especially mid-level roles in fields like finance and law, may decline in value as companies adopt technology to cut costs.
  3. Successful companies will be those that maintain strong relationships and moats now, as they navigate competition with AI model developers.

TBM 363: Is Matt A Loser?

The Beautiful Mess • 370 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Sometimes, executives may ignore useful advice to protect their own interests and bonuses. This can hurt the overall effectiveness of a company.
  2. People like Matt care deeply about improving their workplace, even when faced with difficult situations. However, they often feel stuck and unsure about their future.
  3. The dynamics in a company can make it hard for employees to voice concerns or suggest changes. This can lead to frustration and wasted potential within teams.

Notes on Chapter 29

Life Since the Baby Boom • 922 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Corporate strategy
  1. Janet leaves her job at 3Com to work at Netscape during a hectic time in the tech industry. Many developers worked long hours, often staying late into the night.
  2. Netscape was seen as a major threat to Microsoft because of its browser capabilities. The belief was that if everything could be done through a browser, the operating system wouldn’t matter much.
  3. There were shady practices in Silicon Valley, including how Microsoft tried to hinder Netscape's success. This atmosphere led to a sense of distrust among companies during that era.

How utilities and big oil broke the economic model of offshore wind

Jérôme à Paris • 1069 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Corporate strategy
  1. Offshore wind is struggling right now because many companies are trying to sell their projects but are facing lower prices and high costs. Competition has dropped as big companies pushed out smaller players.
  2. Big utilities tried to regain control of the market through lobbying and moving into new areas, but this led to financial misjudgments and a bubble that has now burst, causing many to exit offshore wind.
  3. Despite the current challenges, offshore wind can still be a viable energy source especially in Europe, as countries look to create fair competition and avoid barriers that exclude smaller developers.

After Wall Street balks, Cigna calls off Humana merger and instead is set to buy back up to $11.3 billion of its shares in gift to investors

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 419 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Cigna decided not to merge with Humana after Wall Street reacted negatively to the idea. Instead, they will buy back $11.3 billion worth of their shares to please investors.
  2. Cigna's stock dropped significantly when the merger news broke but soared back up after the buyback announcement. This shows how much Wall Street values quick returns over company growth strategies.
  3. The share buyback won't help improve healthcare access or quality for Cigna's customers. It's mainly a move to boost stock prices and please shareholders.

"Pivot Global" Interview Video

Japan Economy Watch • 159 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. The interview covers various topics such as the state of Japan's economy, stock market, wages, and strategies of niche companies
  2. There is discussion on the importance of new entrepreneurs in driving positive social changes in Japan
  3. The interview highlights the potential for Japan's economic recovery through embracing innovation, new companies, and adapting to changing business dynamics

Tesla in 2023: A Return to Reality, The Beginning of the End or Time to Buy

Musings on Markets • 839 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Tesla has grown rapidly, becoming a significant player in the auto industry, especially in electric vehicles. Its revenue jumped from $117 million in 2010 to $31.5 billion in 2020, showing strong growth potential.
  2. The company's success is closely tied to its founder, Elon Musk, whose vision drives Tesla forward. However, his dominant presence raises questions about the company's future if he steps back.
  3. The business landscape is changing, and even a successful company like Tesla must face traditional rules of business, like the need for investment and risk management, which is becoming more evident as competition increases.

The Bear Cave #248

The Bear Cave • 583 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Culper Research claims Zeta Global Holdings is involved in shady practices, including false data and deceptive websites to gather consumer information. They think Zeta's stock price is too high and expect it to drop soon.
  2. There have been several high-profile resignations among executives in various companies, highlighting instability in leadership. It's concerning when CFOs and CEOs leave, especially in such quick succession.
  3. Recent reports have raised concerns about financial discrepancies in VusionGroup, which may indicate larger issues within the company. The connection with a major Chinese partner raises further questions about its operations.

Walgreens said to be courting a former Cigna/Express Scripts executive to turn the company around

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 299 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Corporate strategy
  1. Walgreens is interested in hiring a former executive from Cigna/Express Scripts to help improve its business. They want someone with experience in pharmacy benefits to boost their competitiveness.
  2. Cigna has been fined $172 million for misleading the government about patient diagnoses in their Medicare Advantage program. They were accused of inflating seriousness of conditions to receive more funding.
  3. The pharmacy benefit management market is controlled by a few big companies, and Walgreens needs to strengthen its position to compete effectively against other large players like CVS and Amazon.

Oxford Nanopore @ JPM

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Oxford Nanopore presented at the JPM conference following the release of preliminary results.
  2. Management reiterated their commitment to deliver break-even by 2027.
  3. They didn’t report full losses; cash reserves appear consistently down and cash reverses could mean reported losses are smaller than earlier expectations.

Why Data Teams Need to Understand Metrics: A Look at Starbucks’ Comparable Store Sales

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 447 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Data teams need to know the main numbers that matter for their business. This helps them understand how the company is performing.
  2. High-level metrics like revenue and expenses can seem too big to grasp. Breaking these down into smaller parts makes them easier to understand.
  3. These smaller, detailed metrics can reveal valuable insights that affect decisions and strategies for the business.

How the Bud Light Debacle Predicted America's Corporate Vibe Shift

The Ruffian • 301 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Bud Light faced a major backlash after a marketing campaign featuring a transgender celebrity, showing how quickly consumer sentiment can change. This backlash resulted in a significant loss of sales and brand trust.
  2. Unlike typical consumer boycotts, the impact on Bud Light endured even after the company attempted to distance itself from the controversy. This highlights the lasting effects that cultural issues can have on brands.
  3. The Bud Light incident reflects a larger trend in corporate America where companies need to be more aware of the cultural-political environment. Brands must navigate these changes carefully to maintain their audience and market position.

Making Oxford Nanopore Profitable?

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. A new CEO is expected to make the company profitable by 2027.
  2. Recent financials show losses haven’t meaningfully decreased and 2025 appears worse, so progress toward profitability is limited.
  3. Headcount has been rising, which suggests costs aren’t being cut and makes the profitability goal harder to achieve.

Earnings Season

Human Capitalist • 39 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Companies that grow their sales teams tend to see their stock prices rise. This shows that a bigger sales team can mean better future earnings.
  2. On the other hand, companies that cut their sales teams often experience a drop in market value. This suggests they may be less confident in selling their products.
  3. There may be other human capital factors that also relate to stock performance, and it's worth exploring these connections further. There could be more signs that predict how well a company will do financially.

the biggest business myth is that PE-backed companies are well run

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 121 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Private equity (PE) companies used to be seen as well-run, but many are now poorly managed and bloated. Unlike the past, there's no guarantee that a PE-backed company is better run than others.
  2. PE firms today often focus more on financial engineering and increasing their fees rather than actually improving the companies they buy. This has led to companies becoming more complicated without much actual performance improvement.
  3. If a top PE firm acquires a company from another top PE firm, the acquired company may not be able to provide significant improvements. The trend shows that the initial efficiency that PE firms once promised is largely missing now.

Missionaries vs. Mercenaries

Teaching computers how to talk • 110 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Corporate strategy
  1. OpenAI has a huge ambition to grow like Meta, needing to hit a target of $125 billion in revenue by 2029. This is a really tough goal and they have to compete aggressively.
  2. Sam Altman believes that teams driven by passion and purpose (missionaries) will outperform those just focused on making money (mercenaries). He wants to create an inspiring work culture at OpenAI.
  3. OpenAI has taken on a lot of investment, which means they need to deliver high returns quickly. This pushes them to make bold moves in the AI market.

($) Oracle Cloud: the Largest "Chinese Cloud" in America?

Interconnected • 123 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, recently became one of the richest people in the world after Oracle's stock price surged due to strong earnings. This happened because of a positive outlook for Oracle's cloud computing growth, fueled by increased demand for AI infrastructure.
  2. Oracle is securing a lot of contracts from companies with ties to China, like Temu and TikTok, even as other American businesses shy away from China. This strategy is helping Oracle grow in a challenging market.
  3. The recent growth in Oracle's sales isn't just from AI; they are getting significant deals from various clients moving to their cloud services, which reflects a strong demand for their technology.

How to crush AI native startups (as an incumbent): Part 1

Enterprise AI Trends • 21 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Big incumbents are building playbooks to defend their enterprise market share from AI-native startups.
  2. Their main play is to force startups into expensive pricing and capital wars, turning competition into a high-stakes fight of resources.
  3. Pricing for enterprise AI (especially token pricing) is becoming a frontline battleground in 2026, with M&A and product moves set to follow.

Hub-and-Spoke Biotechs: Nimbus Therapeutics

The Century of Biology • 354 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. Nimbus Therapeutics uses a unique hub-and-spoke model to develop drugs. This lets them separate the main company from individual drug projects, so they can sell successful drugs while keeping the main business intact.
  2. The company focuses on computational drug discovery to make the process faster and cheaper. By using advanced technology, they can predict which drugs might succeed before doing expensive experiments.
  3. Nimbus has successfully sold several drug assets, demonstrating the effectiveness of their model. They show that a biotech can grow and make money while being flexible and innovative.

On Reinforcing Private-Public Investments

Parth's Playground • 12 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
💰 Finance Corporate strategy
  1. Private and public investments often reinforce each other, creating paired opportunities where startups and incumbent/public companies both benefit and accelerate a new technology or market.
  2. Major tech or market tailwinds typically spawn new companies while prompting mature firms to reinvent themselves, producing complementary ecosystems rather than simple displacement.
  3. Talent flows between startups and large companies, so watching both early experimental founders (micro) and hungry, founder-led mature firms (macro) gives a fuller view of where durable opportunities will form.

Would Apple buy Disney?

Jon’s Newsletter • 279 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
💼 Business Corporate strategy
  1. There are talks about a possible merger between Apple and Disney because they could create more value together than apart. Both companies have strong content and distribution networks that could complement each other well.
  2. Disney is currently facing challenges, including job cuts and a shift to digital streaming. CEO Bob Iger is dealing with a lot of changes and questions about the company’s future direction.
  3. If Apple were to buy Disney, it might be a big win for both. Analysts think that it could increase value for Apple shareholders significantly, making it a potentially worthwhile investment.