The hottest Operations Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

TBM 328: Beyond Firmographic-Based ICPs

The Beautiful Mess • 264 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
💼 Business Operations
  1. Traditional ways of identifying ideal customers, like just looking at company size or industry, aren't enough anymore. It's important to understand the specific needs and behaviors of different companies.
  2. When starting a new job, it's crucial to listen and learn from others instead of jumping to conclusions. Take your time to understand what actually matters for the product and the customers.
  3. Different organizations have unique ways of working, and it's vital to grasp those differences. Observing and talking to customers helps create better products that cater to their specific challenges and goals.

Clouded Judgement 1.2.26 - Authority Is the AI Bottleneck

Clouded Judgement • 10 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
💼 Business Operations
  1. Whether AI is allowed to be authoritative or only assistive decides its real impact: assistive AI saves time but usually doesn’t change results, while authoritative AI can reshape workflows and unlock big returns.
  2. Letting AI act forces organizational choices about where the source of truth is, what error rates are acceptable, who is accountable, and how to roll back mistakes — and those questions matter more than which model you use.
  3. Teams that get outsized returns pick narrow domains, set tight guardrails, and invest in data quality, observability, and rollback so AI can own outcomes and trust grows over time.

How to build wealth with little risk

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
💼 Business Operations
  1. Make lots of small, low-downside bets so failures are survivable but winners can run; structure optionality instead of gambling everything.
  2. Enter proven markets by copying what works and then improve on execution; cheap entry and fast learning beat trying to be original from day one.
  3. Protect wins by controlling costs and building simple moats, then be patient and let low fees and long-term compounding do the heavy lifting.

Lesser-Known High-Paying Roles in Venture Capital

Venture Curator • 159 implied HN points • 06 May 23
💼 Business Operations
  1. Venture Capital has high-paying roles beyond just investment positions, like Community Managers responsible for networking and supporting founders.
  2. Roles like Investor Relations are essential in VC for managing communications with fund investors and attracting new ones.
  3. Talent + Hiring roles play a crucial part in VC by helping portfolio companies find suitable talent for key positions.
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Elon Musk Book Review (Part 2 of 2): Operations Excellence

Mike Talks AI • 58 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Operations
  1. Operations excellence is key: Musk focused on improving efficiency and revolutionizing industries through operational excellence.
  2. Design the right factory: Musk emphasized the importance of well-designed factories and involvement of design engineers in manufacturing processes.
  3. The Algorithm for operations excellence: Musk's framework involves questioning requirements, deleting parts/processes, simplifying, accelerating cycle time, and automating last.

Inside Ineos Automotive: Can Jim Ratcliffe’s Car Company Ever Be Profitable?

Huddle Up • 10 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
💼 Business Operations
  1. Jim Ratcliffe has poured billions into building the Ineos Grenadier as a modern recreation of the Land Rover Defender.
  2. Despite the rugged design, the business is fragile — weighed down by heavy debt and hit by tariffs and supplier failures that strain operations.
  3. The Grenadier is getting visibility and some buyer interest, but high costs and recurring problems make sustained profitability uncertain.

Wimbledon's Most Interesting (And Secretive) Details

Huddle Up • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Operations
  1. Wimbledon is not just a tennis tournament; it's a huge money-maker, earning around $500 million every summer and donating most of its profits back to British tennis.
  2. The event has clever ways to generate revenue, like selling expensive debentures for special access, which help fund projects like the retractable roof on Centre Court.
  3. There are secret underground tunnels at Wimbledon that make it easier for players and staff to move around without fans noticing, showing just how organized the event really is.

Learning operations & hiring, the tech-enabled agency model, Bangkok, ...

Play Permissionless • 119 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Operations
  1. Learning new skills like hiring and operations can be challenging but rewarding, especially during the initial phases.
  2. When hiring, it's essential to focus on quality over cost, especially in the beginning. Western-educated talent may require higher pay but can deliver better results with less micromanagement.
  3. Running a tech-enabled agency model can be a successful business approach. Leveraging internal tools for client success can be more impactful than turning them into public SaaS products.

Some Podcast Episodes on Operational Excellence

Mike Talks AI • 98 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🎙 Podcasts Operations
  1. Podcasts cover diverse topics related to operations and supply chain, not just operations directly.
  2. Guests featured in the podcasts have real-world expertise and experiences in operations.
  3. Podcasts delve into various aspects of operational excellence, from manufacturing to technology and leadership.

How To Define A Task

trydeepwork • 2 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
💼 Business Operations
  1. Treat tasks as units of noticeable progress, not just blocks of time, so you can clearly see what changed when it’s done.
  2. Very long or vague tasks break feedback loops: completion gets fuzzy, progress is hard to describe, scope creeps, and motivation drops.
  3. For big or exploratory work, break it into short probes with clear next-step outcomes you can complete in a few hours and sequence those probes to keep momentum and learning.

Procrustes - en francais!

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 3 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
💼 Business Operations
  1. Be ruthless about scope: focus your team on solving the real business problems in priority order and cut anything not necessary to be ready by the deadline.
  2. Make hard decisions early so the team can finish the core work on time rather than stretching to satisfy endless custom requests.
  3. Use a skilled account manager to manage client expectations, reframe requirements as requests, and deliver what users need instead of promising every requested feature.

Procrustes - auf Deutsch!

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 3 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
💼 Business Operations
  1. Ruthlessly focus on the customer's real business problems and cut anything nonessential so the team can meet an immovable launch date.
  2. Use experienced customer-facing people to manage expectations, reframing many requests from “requirements” to “wishes” and disappointing customers tactfully when needed.
  3. Avoid micromanaging by scheduling regular update checkpoints in your calendar and making the team accountable for progress so you only act when issues are reported.

What Year One of Building an AI Company Taught Me

The Incrementalist • 4 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
💼 Business Operations
  1. Speed and constant shipping don’t create clarity; clarity comes from restraint, simplifying the product, and tightening the loop so the product feels obvious not just impressive.
  2. You can’t outsource judgment — you earn it by sitting with ambiguity, watching what actually works in your specific context, and updating your beliefs based on results.
  3. The real product is judgment and reliable systems that handle messy, real work; build systems that remember, can be inspected and corrected, and manage exceptions over time.

Seven Powers in Life Sciences

axialdaily • 58 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
💼 Business Operations
  1. Scale Economies in business help reduce costs as production volume increases
  2. Network Economies create value as more customers join, creating barriers for new entrants
  3. Counter-Positioning involves pursuing a business model that incumbents cannot copy without damaging their existing business

Lessons For Startup Founders From A TPM

Building Rome(s) • 5 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
💼 Business Operations
  1. Keep clarity even when the future is uncertain: set a simple vision, tactical goals, timeframes, and clear owners so the team can scale without heavyweight process.
  2. Prioritize ruthlessly and learn to say no; using a “no log” helps the team see what you intentionally set aside and keeps focus on what matters.
  3. Build minimal, evolving systems that prevent chaos and surface hidden work—use a single roadmap, release-based planning, regular demos, decision logs, and launch checklists to make dependencies and debt visible.

Ski Lift Pricing and the Lessons from Vail’s Challenge

Gad’s Newsletter • 70 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
💼 Business Operations
  1. Skiing in the U.S. is becoming very expensive and often feels exclusive. Many ski resorts focus on making money rather than being inclusive to all skiers.
  2. The Epic Pass has changed how skiing works by giving access to multiple resorts. However, this has led to long wait times and overcrowded slopes, making the skiing experience less enjoyable.
  3. In Europe, ski resorts are often more affordable and competitive, allowing more people to enjoy skiing. This makes skiing feel less like a luxury and more accessible for everyone.

Replacing SaaS

Abe • 47 implied HN points • 29 Mar 25
💼 Business Operations
  1. Building software in-house can give companies a competitive edge since popular SaaS tools are often not tailored to specific needs. Developing custom solutions can lead to better efficiency and unique advantages in the market.
  2. The cost of creating in-house software has significantly decreased, making it easier for businesses to shift from relying on SaaS to building their own tools. This allows companies to focus on features that truly matter to them.
  3. More businesses should assess their current software expenses against potential in-house solutions. Companies that wish to stay competitive should consider building unique tools that enhance their operations, especially if they’re earning over $5 million annually.

The Unbundling of Retail

Equal Ventures • 59 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
💼 Business Operations
  1. Economic fundamentals in retail are shifting, highlighting the limitations of a direct-to-consumer-only strategy.
  2. Traditional principles like vertical integration may not always lead to better outcomes in the retail industry, as seen with several DTC brands.
  3. Outsourcing non-core functions and embracing the 'Great Unbundling' can help emerging brands achieve economies of scale and operational excellence in the retail sector.

AI-Shoring

davidj.substack • 23 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
💼 Business Operations
  1. The future of engineering may involve fewer people doing more work with the help of AI, making teams more efficient and reducing costs.
  2. Off-shoring might disappear because local engineers can now handle bigger workloads, eliminating the need for remote teams in different countries.
  3. Even though the tech job landscape is changing, it could create new opportunities in industries we can't imagine yet, as job seekers adapt to the evolving market.

Drivers of success

Tech and Thoughts • 2 HN points • 31 Jul 24
💼 Business Operations
  1. Good communication is really important for success. It helps everyone understand each other and work better together.
  2. Having the right information and logistics is key. When things are organized and everyone has the info they need, success comes more easily.
  3. Competence matters, but it shouldn't overshadow other factors like communication and logistics. Balancing all these elements leads to better results.

India’s Operations Revolution: Lessons from Zepto, Rebel Foods, and the Dabbawalas

Gad’s Newsletter • 50 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💼 Business Operations
  1. Zepto has transformed grocery delivery in India with its promise of delivering products within 10 minutes. This model responds to customer demand for fast service, using small warehouses to ensure quick order fulfillment.
  2. Rebel Foods leads the cloud kitchen market by creating multiple food brands under one roof. This strategy maximizes kitchen use and caters to different tastes, enabling rapid growth in a competitive environment.
  3. The Dabbawalas have a long history of reliably delivering home-cooked meals in Mumbai. Their simple, synchronized system shows how effective human coordination can be, even as newer tech-driven services emerge.

The Journey of Glovo: Founder Sacha Michaud

The Healthtech Initiative • 1 implied HN point • 01 Feb 26
💼 Business Operations
  1. They tested an unscalable MVP and deliberately kept non-food categories even while losing money, which proved the "anything in your city" idea and let them pivot quickly to groceries during COVID.
  2. They expanded with small, scrappy launch teams who built local operations from the ground up, and those boots-on-the-ground employees became the strongest leaders because they had real skin in the game.
  3. They prioritized market leadership and capital efficiency, exiting losing markets and using logistics data to only enter cities and verticals they could serve under their 30-minute promise, a focus that helped drive their €2.3B acquisition.

Is This the End of Low-Cost Airlines in the U.S.?

Gad’s Newsletter • 50 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
💼 Business Operations
  1. Low-cost airlines in the U.S. are struggling due to rising costs and operational challenges. These airlines have smaller profit margins, making it hard to survive when problems arise.
  2. Successful low-cost carriers like Frontier and Southwest are adapting by adding premium options and changing their services. They’re evolving to meet customer demands while trying to keep their budget-friendly roots.
  3. In Europe, low-cost airlines are doing well thanks to higher population densities and a culture that accepts budget travel. This shows how different markets can impact the success of low-cost airline models.

Sales and Marketing and Dev Ops, Oh My!

Sarah's Newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 26 Apr 22
💼 Business Operations
  1. Efficiency in operational teams is crucial for the overall effectiveness of an organization. They play a vital role in supporting other departments to work faster and better.
  2. Operational teams like SalesOps, MOps, and DevOps have unique functions but share a common goal of increasing efficiency and saving time for the organization.
  3. Current tools and practices in operational teams can still involve manual tasks, hindering efficiency. Providing education and support for scale is essential for driving true efficiency across all operational areas.

The Product Manager’s Guide to Not Slowing Things Down

Kathy PM • 13 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
💼 Business Operations
  1. Speed is crucial in product management. The faster you iterate and ship, the more problems you can solve and learn from.
  2. Product managers should focus on clearing obstacles for the team instead of adding to the confusion. Create clarity and let engineers do their work without delays.
  3. To improve velocity, write things down early, stay ahead of the team, and eliminate unnecessary meetings. Keeping things moving is key to success.

Ferrari's Unique Business Model Leads To Record Financial Performance

Huddle Up • 43 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
💼 Business Operations
  1. Ferrari has a special business model that helps it perform really well financially. This unique approach sets it apart from other car brands.
  2. The company focuses on making limited-edition cars, which keeps them exclusive and desirable. This strategy boosts their appeal and profits.
  3. Ferrari's success is also linked to its strong brand image and connection to racing. People love the thrill of Formula 1, which enhances the brand's prestige.

Data Materialization is a Convergence Problem

Data People Etc. • 159 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Operations
  1. Data materialization is not just a workflow orchestration problem but also a convergence problem.
  2. In a convergence-based approach to data materialization, a materialization controller could continuously compare the state of the warehouse with the desired state of models to automate the materialization process.
  3. Challenges in implementing a materialization controller include explainability, managing over-eagerness, and dealing with drift in the system.

Let It Snow, Let It Go: The SnowVendor’s Dilemma

Gad’s Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
💼 Business Operations
  1. Cities need to balance snow removal resources to avoid wasting money during mild winters while being prepared for severe storms. Too many resources can cost a lot, while too few can lead to big problems.
  2. Using data to predict snowfall and plan ahead helps cities manage their snow removal strategies better. This includes estimating how many snowplows and how much salt they will need based on past snow events.
  3. Pooling snow removal resources among cities sounds good, but it can create logistical challenges. Sharing equipment and supply can be complicated during serious snow events when everyone needs help at the same time.

Luckin's Revival

Tech Buzz China Insider • 39 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
💼 Business Operations
  1. Luckin Coffee's comeback after a massive fraud scandal has been remarkable, with the brand's success being attributed to factors like effective self-operated stores and new product development.
  2. Luckin has seen notable growth in profitability with strategies like focusing on self-operated stores outside Tier 1 cities and implementing a successful franchising model.
  3. Luckin's rebound involved various adjustments including improving customer relationship management, expanding product offerings, and enhancing brand control to reach profitability.

Combating Retail Shrinkage with Technology and Social Interventions

Gad’s Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
💼 Business Operations
  1. Retail shrinkage is a big issue caused by theft, damage, or errors, and it frustrates both businesses and honest customers. When retailers put products behind lock and key to prevent theft, it can make shopping hard for people just trying to buy what they need.
  2. Using technology can help reduce shrinkage while keeping customers happy. Retailers can use things like mobile apps or surveillance systems to spot theft, but they also need to make sure shopping remains a good experience.
  3. Understanding people's behavior is key to reducing theft, especially with self-checkout systems. Designing better systems and providing reminders can help prevent accidental theft, making it easier for everyone to shop without issues.