The hottest Management Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

What does a Skunk Works do?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 20 May 16
💼 Business Innovation Management Research Startups Technology
  1. Skunk works are organizational spaces for innovative projects away from the main operations, often initiated by established firms to explore radical ideas.
  2. Skunk works come in different models, like focusing on science and engineering, building research communities, acting as lead users, and aiming for audacious goals like a moon shot.
  3. Despite their innovative success, skunk works face challenges integrating their achievements into regular operations, requiring careful planning and management to ensure long-term success.

A Taste of Disruption

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 16
💼 Business Research Disruption Management
  1. Firms facing demand-side disruption have options to react and defend against the threat.
  2. Supply-side disruption requires firms to be more integrative in how they conduct their business.
  3. The articles mentioned provide a 'lite' treatment of the disruption dilemma for those seeking a quick overview.

Conflict Resolution For All

PeopleStorming • 0 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
💼 Business Conflict resolution Training Management Workplace dynamics
  1. Conflict resolution is becoming a crucial skill in the workplace due to various crises and the impact of interpersonal conflicts on organizational performance.
  2. All professionals can benefit from conflict resolution training to effectively handle disagreements that often stem from mismatched expectations.
  3. Conflict can often be resolved by clarifying shared definitions and addressing the root cause of miscommunication.

No Time To Do My Job ⏰

PeopleStorming • 0 implied HN points • 25 Apr 22
💼 Business Productivity Management Workplace dynamics Collaboration
  1. Work coordination consumes a significant amount of time, with middle/senior managers spending 60% of their time on tasks related to synchronization and collaboration.
  2. Efficient collaboration is crucial for organizational success, with a focus on minimizing overhead and maximizing productivity.
  3. To optimize productivity in a team setting, individuals should focus on allocating time effectively, communicating boundaries clearly, and elevating the impact of their work.

Embrace The Journey 🏔

PeopleStorming • 0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
💼 Business Management Goals Workplace culture Motivation Value Creation
  1. Successful companies are mission-oriented with a relentless focus on ultimate goals, leading to higher alignment and scalability.
  2. Individuals, like organizations, are goal-seeking, and goals require deliberate action for achievement. Goals can demonstrate ability and provide a measure of success.
  3. Balancing goal-orientation and journey-orientation is crucial. While goals are essential for producing value, valuing the journey and inclusivity can lead to meaningful experiences and attract like-minded individuals.
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Nonsense: Equal Equity Split Among Founders, Infinitely

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jul 19
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Leadership Management Failure
  1. Initial equal equity split among founders is a good starting point but may not remain fair as the company grows and individuals contribute differently over time.
  2. Co-founders need to have ongoing conversations about equity split evolution and be transparent about their individual contributions to ensure fairness and alignment.
  3. Commitment, accountability, and results are key in determining the distribution of equity among co-founders as organizations evolve and grow.

Some Obvious Things Our Best CEOs Do

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 12 Oct 18
💼 Business Management Leadership Hiring Communication Learning
  1. Best CEOs spend time analyzing data personally, searching for truth and meaning.
  2. They track employee behaviors through qualitative and quantitative data, promptly addressing issues and recognizing achievements.
  3. Best CEOs have strict hiring processes, clear compensation plans, and emphasize a clear vision, focus, and values for their employees.

Best Practices for Board Meetings

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 18 Sep 18
💼 Business Management Meetings Accountability Leadership Growth
  1. Founders should send a pre-read to investors before board meetings for discussion and to focus on the most challenging topics on the meeting day.
  2. The board meeting dynamic is crucial and should be led effectively by the chairman or CEO.
  3. After board meetings, debriefing, aligning on conclusions, priorities, and providing clear feedback to founders are essential for driving actionable outcomes and improving meeting effectiveness.

Damien

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 31 Oct 17
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Leadership Management Failure
  1. Damien started his entrepreneurial journey at a young age, making money through computer repairs, organizing events, and venturing into smartphone repair business.
  2. Learning from his experiences, he realized the importance of listening, observing, and involving his team in decision-making, instead of being overly dominant.
  3. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Damien was able to save his business with hard work, luck, and external support, highlighting the importance of resilience and learning from failure.

Dear Founder, Please Read & Acknowledge Carefully This Onboarding Set

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 10 May 17
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Management Startups Resources
  1. The onboarding process for founders involves specific instructions and expectations for communication, updates, and collaborations with the investment platform.
  2. Founders are provided with resources such as guides, templates, and recommended readings to support their growth and decision-making within their organization.
  3. The emphasis is on continuous learning, maintaining control over key metrics and cash flow, as well as fostering a strong relationship with investors.

How To Build The A-Team

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 28 Apr 17
💼 Business Management Leadership Entrepreneurship Team Dynamics Self-Improvement
  1. Building the best organization requires hiring the right people based on organization/team fit first, before talent.
  2. Even experienced and talented individuals can only thrive within an organization if leaders focus on building the right system.
  3. Reading and reflecting on books like 'Who: The A-Method For Hiring' and 'The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team' can help entrepreneurs in hiring and managing A-Teams effectively.

KPI & Cash Control

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 02 Jan 17
💼 Business Startups Cash Management Funding Management
  1. Startups can crash due to internal clashes or running out of cash. Make sure to master your KPIs to avoid the latter.
  2. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) act as a control tower, providing insight into the business status and potential problems.
  3. Tracking and mastering KPIs is crucial for building a proper profit & loss and cash plan to ensure business sustainability.

The Toilet Paper Theory

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 28 Aug 16
💼 Business Startups Management Entrepreneurship Metrics Leadership
  1. Regularly tracking key metrics and data is crucial for seed-stage companies to observe founder discipline and consistency.
  2. Founders must pay attention to small details and regularly analyze company metrics to avoid potential organizational failures.
  3. The 'Toilet Paper Theory' emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and attention to detail, encouraging individuals to dig into small aspects to stay informed about their company.

Hello VC, Here’s A Gentle Slap in your Face: Contemplation is no Action, Success is Earned.

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 16
💼 Business Venture Capital Investing Entrepreneurship Startups Management
  1. Success in venture capital is earned through action, not just contemplation.
  2. European/French Venture Capitalists are urged to focus on improving governance, discipline, proactivity, software usage, and support for portfolio companies.
  3. Venture Capital should aim for long-term value creation, not just short-term gains, and actively seek out promising startups instead of waiting for opportunities.

Et toi, c’est qui ton Cyril Montanari ?

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 16
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Management Team Building Company Culture
  1. Entrepreneurs often seek a key person like 'Cyril Montanari' who embodies experience, empathy, and leadership skills to drive company growth and cohesion.
  2. The success of a business depends not only on individual competencies but also on the collective collaboration and shared vision within the team.
  3. Finding the right person for a key role involves a balance of experience, personal growth, human connection, humility, and a collaborative spirit.

Drag Along Is Against Trouble Makers Only

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 16
💼 Business Investment Startup Management
  1. Founding teams should have control over activating a drag-along clause above a certain IRR or multiple - investors shouldn't force their hand.
  2. The drag-along clause allows majority stockholders to initiate a change of control, excluding troublemakers.
  3. LPs desire a return on their investment, but founders should have final approval over the drag-along clause in a shareholder agreement.

An Ugly VC-Founder Story

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 15
💼 Business Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Investment Leadership Management
  1. Investors should empower CEOs by providing guidance and resources, not running the company in place of founders.
  2. It's crucial for founders to carefully choose investors who understand their market and can genuinely support their growth.
  3. Interference from investors who lack expertise and make poor decisions can lead to tragic outcomes for startups, impacting founders' control and company success.

On Corporate America

The Unabashed Observer • 0 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Corporate culture Management Ownership Financial Decisions Career development
  1. American capitalism creates immense wealth, leading to ongoing conversations about wealth distribution and creation.
  2. Large companies exhibit organizational similarities despite diverse industries, driven by the alignment of incentives for owners, managers, and workers.
  3. Understanding the structure of large corporations can help individuals navigate their own career growth within such systems.

Casual Trauma

The Radar • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Employment Companies Layoffs Corporate behavior Management
  1. Companies are engaging in abusive hire/fire practices, hiring and firing employees within short periods of time.
  2. Companies are prioritizing short-term interests over human consequences, misrepresenting intentions and commitment levels during hiring.
  3. Some companies like Cloudflare are conducting layoffs without providing clear reasons, showcasing a lack of care, empathy, and transparency for employees.

Leadership Domino Effects

The Radar • 0 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
💼 Business Leadership Organizational Culture Management Team Dynamics
  1. Leadership impact goes beyond actions of an individual leader; it's influenced by organizational structure and resources.
  2. Even in a strong organization, bad leadership can cause significant damage, impacting talent retention and overall performance.
  3. Developing a kind and caring culture in organizations is challenging, often hindered by traditional management paradigms valuing toughness over empathy.

Three Essential Principles and Four Skills Every Great Manager Needs

AI Disruption • 0 implied HN points • 05 May 24
💼 Business Management Communication Problem Solving Leadership
  1. A great manager doesn't need to know everything, but should excel at managing people by encouraging and guiding their team.
  2. To be a good manager, it's crucial to ask effective questions that are clear, specific, and open-ended, following techniques like 'Follow the Leader' and 'Reframing Meaning' questioning.
  3. When guiding employees, it's beneficial to listen and offer solutions rather than immediately saying 'no', and asking layered questions based on 'Goal, Identity, Beliefs, Skills, Actions, and Setting'.

RDEL #35: Which team formation is best for corporate hackathons?

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 0 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
💼 Business Management Teamwork Innovation Research Leadership
  1. Hackathons in tech companies foster innovation, creativity, skill development, and team building among employees.
  2. Research shows that pre-existing teams focus on innovations within their regular work, while flash teams explore broader innovations and gain networking and skill development benefits.
  3. For corporate hackathons, consider using a pre-existing team when focusing on demonstrating existing skills and project sustainability, and opt for a flash team to increase networking opportunities and introduce new skills.

RDEL #27: The frequency and impact of destructive code reviews

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Engineering Software Diversity Feedback Management
  1. Destructive code reviews can negatively impact team cohesion, trust, and psychological safety. It's crucial to address feedback delivery to maintain a positive work environment.
  2. 22% of respondents reported inconsiderate feedback at least once a year, showing a notable frequency of damaging criticism in code reviews. This highlights the importance of promoting constructive feedback culture.
  3. Destructive criticism was perceived to be less valuable and appropriate, especially impacting motivation and mood. Recognizing and addressing such feedback biases can help improve team dynamics.

RDEL #23: The most popular posts of 2023.

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 0 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
💼 Business Leadership Management Productivity Diversity Teamwork
  1. The best managers create a positive work environment, foster autonomy, and help their team grow in the eyes of engineers.
  2. While better documentation improves team performance, it can contribute to burnout for underrepresented team members.
  3. There is a gender disparity in the code review process, particularly when reviews are manually assigned. Gender biases can also be present in review suggestion tools.

RDEL #15: How do engineering teams manage technical debt?

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Engineering Software Development Research Management Communication
  1. There is no perfect way to handle technical debt; every team manages it differently based on their unique circumstances.
  2. Communication is key in managing technical debt - discussing it with stakeholders is crucial to avoid delays in the product roadmap.
  3. Measuring technical debt is essential for improvement; having a clear strategy for paying it down helps maintain a balance within the team.

RDEL #11: What is the relationship between self-reported productivity and system-measured productivity?

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 0 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Productivity Software Engineering Data Analysis Research Management
  1. Combining self-reported data with system-measured data provides a more complete picture of productivity in software engineering.
  2. Long coding stretches can positively impact a developer's perception of productivity.
  3. Sharing productivity data with the team can empower engineers and improve overall productivity.

Organisation charts and what they don’t tell us

The Jolly Contrarian • 0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
💼 Business Organizational Structure Management Communication Decision-making Work dynamics
  1. Organisation charts often do not reveal the actual functioning and dynamics within an organization, focusing more on formal structure than substance.
  2. Formal communication channels, like reporting lines, do not necessarily represent how work truly gets done in an organization; informal communications and interactions are crucial for progress.
  3. Management should trust and empower subject matter experts by minimizing formal impediments and recognizing the importance of informal networks and interactions within the organization.

Stakeholder capitalism

The Jolly Contrarian • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
💼 Business Economics Management Corporate Governance Ethics Social Responsibility
  1. Shareholder capitalism emphasizes maximizing profit for shareholders as the primary goal of corporations.
  2. Stakeholder capitalism has gained popularity, shifting focus towards considering the interests of all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
  3. The conflict between shareholder and stakeholder capitalism lies in prioritizing monetary interests over ethical values, and the need for corporations to stay focused on generating profits.

Inhouse history part 2: cost and waste

The Jolly Contrarian • 0 implied HN points • 01 Dec 21
💼 Business Management Regulation
  1. The rise of the premium mediocre machines in the legal industry has led to a focus on regulatory matters and cost control.
  2. In legal processes, waste is harder to identify than cost, and the concept of 'delivery' becomes crucial for efficiency.
  3. The agency problem complicates efforts to address inefficiencies within legal teams, as individuals tend to protect their own processes despite acknowledging broader inefficiencies.

Exciting Vietnam-related Opportunities at Google Singapore

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 20
💼 Business Opportunities Employment Management Finance Public Policy
  1. Google Singapore has various job opportunities available for English and Vietnamese speakers.
  2. Interested individuals can apply for roles such as Account Strategist, Agency Development Manager, Finance Manager, and more.
  3. These positions are based in Singapore and require fluency in both English and Vietnamese.