The hottest Financial Management Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Learning from Under Armor's failed Big Data push [Finance Friday]

Technology Made Simple • 159 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
💰 Finance Investing Financial Management Market Analysis Tech industry Business Ethics
  1. Data-driven decisions and AI can be valuable, but they must serve a larger purpose to avoid financial ruin.
  2. Investing heavily in technologies like Big Data without a clear strategy can lead to disaster, as seen with Under Armor's failed Big Data push.
  3. Leaders should carefully consider the cost and benefits of implementing AI into their processes, ensuring it aligns with their overall goals and strategy.

How to Set Up a Business in the UK (2024)

The Small Business Corner • 19 implied HN points • 27 May 24
💼 Business Business Operations Financial Management Marketing
  1. When starting a business in the UK, it's crucial to choose the right legal structure - Sole Trader, Limited Company, or Partnerships - each with its own pros and cons.
  2. As a sole trader, you have full control over your business but are personally liable for debts, and responsible for taxes - requiring careful record-keeping and compliance.
  3. Key steps for setting up as a sole trader include registering with HMRC, understanding tax obligations (income tax, National Insurance), and taking advantage of allowable business expenses.

Contra product management shibboleths

Logos • 19 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
💼 Business Product Management Corporate Structure Career development Financial Management
  1. Being too focused on data and customer research can limit creativity. It's important to use good judgment to come up with ideas and then use data to check if those ideas make sense.
  2. The rise of Chief Product Officers may not mean there's new work being done. Sometimes it's just a title change or a marketing strategy to make companies seem more innovative.
  3. Job titles do matter because they often come with recognition and better pay. People want their efforts acknowledged, and titles can help convey that value.
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#158 - Harvest Season

Below the Line from Kevin LaBuz • 5 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
💼 Business E-commerce Financial Management Consumer behavior Artificial Intelligence
  1. E-commerce industry saw improved results in Q2 2023 with leaner cost structures and accelerated growth rates.
  2. Consumer behavior shows focus on value and essentials due to inflation and competition for spending.
  3. Companies are strategically managing expenses, transitioning from broad cost cutting to surgical measures in Q2 2023.

Breaking up is easy to do...

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 11
💼 Business Corporate strategy Market Valuation Mergers & Acquisitions Investment Analysis Financial Management
  1. Many companies break up into smaller parts to increase their value. Sometimes, they think the whole company is worth less than its pieces.
  2. Breaking up can also help companies avoid problems with laws or reputations that drag them down. It's like getting rid of your bad parts to make the good parts shine.
  3. But not all breakups are smart. Sometimes, companies lose benefits like shared resources or have a harder time getting money after splitting up.

Le dimanche ordinaire d’un entrepreneur, en France

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 25 Mar 14
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Work-life balance Financial Management
  1. Entrepreneurs often have to work on weekends, sacrificing leisure time for their work.
  2. Entrepreneurs may face unexpected challenges and tasks that require additional expertise and financial resources.
  3. Building a business can involve complex processes like financial planning, seeking innovation assistance, and managing various aspects of the business.

Financial Management: Final Thoughts

Logos • 0 implied HN points • 22 Aug 20
💼 Business Financial Management Decision-making Automation Industry Analysis Pricing Strategy
  1. Understanding how to grow revenue by adjusting volume, price, or mix is important in any industry. This principle can apply to companies from tech giants like Google to service providers.
  2. It’s crucial for managers to set prices based on the relationship between marginal revenue and cost. This can lead to better profit margins, and companies should explore creative pricing tactics.
  3. Many financial processes should be automated, but employees often don’t push for it due to inertia or lack of skills. To improve efficiency, companies need to encourage streamlining operations and invest in good data.

Financial Management: Costs

Logos • 0 implied HN points • 30 Jul 20
💼 Business Financial Management Operational Efficiency Supply Chain
  1. Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) includes all costs related to making a product, like raw materials and manufacturing expenses. Companies should always look for ways to reduce these costs to improve profitability.
  2. Gross profit is different from gross margin. While gross margin is a percentage, gross profit is the actual dollar amount made after costs. It's important for managers to focus on absolute profit rather than just margins.
  3. Direct costs are specific to a product, while allocated costs are shared expenses across divisions. It's crucial to understand these differences when making financial decisions, as misclassifying costs can lead to poor business choices.

Financial Management: Volume/Price/Mix

Logos • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 20
💼 Business Financial Management Revenue growth Pricing Strategy Market Analysis
  1. You can increase revenue by either selling more products or charging more for each product. Both factors are crucial for business growth.
  2. Revenue changes can result from mix effects, like selling different amounts of higher-priced items. This means even if total sales and prices stay constant, the types of products sold can impact overall revenue.
  3. When analyzing revenue, it's important to break down the effects of volume, price, and mix separately. Understanding these can help businesses make better financial decisions.

Market Mayhem: Lessons for Apple

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 13
💼 Business Investing Corporate strategy Market Trends Financial Management Product Development
  1. Apple needs to rebuild trust with investors by setting realistic expectations for their earnings. This could help the stock market take their forecasts more seriously.
  2. Being more open about their long-term goals and products would reduce speculation and rumors. Transparency can help Apple avoid unnecessary confusion and protect their brand better.
  3. Apple should decide if it wants to focus on growth or stability as a company. This choice would shape how it interacts with investors and should guide future business decisions.

Living within your limits: Thoughts on Research In Motion (RIM)

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 16 Dec 11
💼 Business Corporate strategy Market Analysis Financial Management Investment
  1. Companies, like people, face limits as they age. They need to recognize these limits to maintain their value.
  2. RIM has two main choices: invest in growth or focus on maintaining cash flow from their existing products. Both paths have risks and rewards.
  3. It's important for companies to adapt to their current state. RIM should accept its limitations and cater to its core market rather than chasing after outdated ambitions.