The hottest Strategy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

📈 How Tracksuit built a B2B brand valued at $142.9 million AUD to take the brand tracking world by by becoming champions of brand building with tracksuits, drinks and case studies 🧢

the case for brand 💼 • 72 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Branding B2B Growth Strategy
  1. Tracksuit is changing the B2B game by making brand tracking easier and more affordable for businesses. They offer a fun and approachable way to connect brands with their customers.
  2. Their brand strategy focuses on building a supportive community for marketers, making them feel less alone in their roles. They do this through friendly events and a casual, relatable style.
  3. Tracksuit shows that B2B marketing can be exciting! By mixing in real-life events and a more relaxed atmosphere, they make brand tracking engaging and meaningful.

5 questions about the "AI opportunities action plan"

Odds and Ends of History • 603 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Policy Innovation Government Strategy
  1. The AI Opportunities Action Plan is an important government report that aims to guide Britain's approach to artificial intelligence. It has many recommendations that could shape the future of AI in the country.
  2. Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, is focusing on making Britain a leader in AI technology, highlighting its significance in politics and industry.
  3. There's a need for meaningful questions about AI policy, as many journalists often ask irrelevant questions that miss the key issues. Being informed helps drive better discussions around AI advancements.

Different Bests in Different Contexts

Software Design: Tidy First? • 861 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Process Strategy
  1. Different tasks require different strategies. What works for one situation might not work for another, so it's good to be flexible.
  2. In a project, you might focus on playing around with ideas, then expanding and finally getting results. Each stage has its own challenges and goals.
  3. Understanding the different phases of a project can help guide how you work. It helps avoid mistakes and ensures the right approach for each part.

Ride Across the River

imetatronink • 2535 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Conflict Military Strategy Propaganda
  1. Russian military strategy in the ongoing war in Ukraine focuses on attrition
  2. Ukrainian Armed Forces face significant challenges with depleted resources and ammunition shortages
  3. Speculation on potential Russian actions includes allowing a Ukrainian counter-offensive towards Crimea before a strategic Russian move
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TBM 329: Deep vs. Broad Context Traps

The Beautiful Mess • 608 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
💼 Business Management Consulting Psychology Strategy Workplace
  1. Having deep knowledge in one area can make people think their ideas will work everywhere. But different situations need different approaches.
  2. People with broad, but shallow knowledge might see patterns everywhere but miss the unique details that influence outcomes.
  3. It's good to mix deep and broad experiences. Reflecting on your past can help you understand where your beliefs come from and how they fit into different contexts.

The definitive product positioning framework

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 749 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Startups Strategy Sales Product
  1. Choosing the right customer segment is crucial for your product's success. Different segments have different needs, and you need to focus your strategy accordingly.
  2. Positioning isn't something you can just test quickly with A/B tests. It's more of a strategic choice you make at a higher level, affecting how you market and present your product.
  3. Your homepage is the best place to show your product's positioning. It should be clear and accessible, so everyone inside and outside the company understands it.

Meditations on Founder Mode

The Engineering Leader • 79 implied HN points • 08 Sep 24
💼 Business Leadership Management Entrepreneurship Organizational Behavior Strategy
  1. Founder Mode allows leaders to be more hands-on and in touch with their company. This helps them make quick decisions that align with their original vision.
  2. While Founder Mode can be effective in early stages, it doesn't scale well in larger companies because one person can't manage everything.
  3. Great leaders know when to switch between being hands-on and delegating tasks. This flexibility is key to adapting to a company's growth and changing needs.

Ski Lift Pricing and the Lessons from Vail’s Challenge

Gad’s Newsletter • 70 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
💼 Business Economics Pricing Labor Operations Strategy
  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.

TBM 340: Path to $

The Beautiful Mess • 304 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
💼 Business Management Finance Strategy Operations Startups
  1. Different teams have varying impacts on business outcomes, making it easier for some to show their value than others. For instance, a team focused on improving sales can clearly demonstrate their contribution, unlike teams juggling multiple tasks.
  2. Startups often change their team structure frequently to tackle immediate challenges, which can lead to chaos, but also strong focus when everyone rallies around a project. This flexible approach can help in growth and development.
  3. It’s important for organizations to recognize how their teams collaborate and support each other. Finding ways to help less effective teams focus or connect with important goals can boost overall performance and success.

Momentum and the Gambler's Fallacy

Admired Leadership Field Notes • 1022 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Analysis Performance Strategy Trends Statistics
  1. Momentum in sports can lead to a shift in energy and positivity, affecting the outcome of a game.
  2. Even though statistical experts claim momentum is not real and linked to the gambler's fallacy, it is a common occurrence in sports that can impact a team's performance.
  3. Teams that effectively harness momentum by maintaining a streak of positive outcomes have a higher probability of winning, as seen in data analysis of NFL games.

On going first

Infinitely More • 12 implied HN points • 30 May 25
📖 Philosophy Games Fairness Strategy Decision-making Mathematics
  1. In many games, going first can give a big advantage, which isn't always fair. It's important to find ways to balance the game for both players.
  2. Rules like the 'swap rule' in games like Hex can help make things fair, but they may not always work perfectly for every game.
  3. For games like Go, figuring out the right value to give the second player can be tricky, and the common values used might not actually be the best.

Keep Going University: How to Manage Change

Startup Strategies • 14 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Leadership Resilience Strategy
  1. Failure is not just a one-time event; it's a journey with lessons learned at every stage. The longer you wait to reflect on your mistakes, the more you understand them.
  2. Quick experiments are key. By running small tests, like $100 ad campaigns, you can find out what doesn't work faster and avoid wasting resources.
  3. Adapting and learning from failure is more important than trying to be perfect. Embrace the process and keep trying even when things get tough.

How I’d Run a SaaS Pricing Project from Scratch

Good Better Best • 7 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
💼 Business SaaS Pricing Marketing Product Strategy
  1. Understanding where your company is in its growth journey is important for setting the right pricing strategy. Different stages, like proving demand or expanding revenue, need different pricing approaches.
  2. Focus on areas where you can make the most impact with your pricing project, such as your product monetization strategy and pricing plans. Collaborate with other teams to ensure everyone is on the same page.
  3. When adjusting pricing, start with the fundamentals like plan structure and feature packaging before touching the actual price points. Making sure your pricing model is clear and aligned with customer needs is key.

What I learned from tracking 443 SaaS pricing pages

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 907 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
💼 Business SaaS Pricing Marketing Growth Strategy
  1. Many SaaS companies are raising their prices. In 2024, about 42% of them made adjustments, with an average increase of 20%.
  2. Some companies are adding or removing plans to better meet customer needs. Others are being more strategic with their pricing pages to attract larger clients.
  3. Pricing strategies are evolving, with some companies using discounts to gain new customers while others maintain strict pricing models to target premium segments.

Permission to Act: The Psychology of Effective Planning | LSW#59

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 120 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Strategy Psychology Planning
  1. Plans help us take action, even if they're not perfect. They give us the confidence to start exploring without needing everything to be figured out.
  2. Taking steps forward can bring clarity. Instead of waiting for a perfect plan, moving can help us learn and adjust along the way.
  3. Sometimes, acting on a not-so-accurate map can be better than seeking perfection. It allows us to move forward and learn from our experiences rather than staying stuck.

Notes on Power, Seduction, Mastery, Strategy, and Human Nature

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 795 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Power Mastery Strategy Human nature
  1. Understanding power dynamics can help you navigate social situations better. It's good to be aware of how influence works between people.
  2. Mastery in any skill requires consistent practice and strategy. Putting in the effort over time will lead to improvement.
  3. Human nature is complex, and understanding it can help you relate better to others. Being empathetic goes a long way in connecting with people.

Sometimes, marketing comes down to a personal decision

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 19 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Strategy Entrepreneurship Social media Branding
  1. Marketing works better when you follow your own unique path instead of just copying others. Making personal choices can help your strategy stand out.
  2. There’s too much focus on marketing 'best practices,' which can make everything look the same. Doing something different can become your competitive edge.
  3. Instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, focus on being authentic and sharing your true story. People connect better with real emotions and experiences.

TBM 323: Quick Tool Tips

The Beautiful Mess • 542 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Management Strategy Tools Processes Teamwork
  1. Make tools fit your needs by trying them out and getting feedback. This way, you can avoid forcing your team into a system that doesn't help anyone.
  2. Involve all kinds of team members in decisions about tools. If you only ask certain roles, you might miss out on important ideas and needs from others.
  3. Start simple before automating. Test simple methods first to see what works, then build on those ideas rather than jumping straight into complicated solutions.

A Midas Winning VC Playbook

The Generalist • 1401 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Investing Venture Capital Startup Strategy Operations
  1. Primary Venture Partners focuses on being the best seed fund by sticking to their core ethos of 'Startups are hard, founders deserve better.'
  2. They prioritize selective investing, focusing on high-risk, high-reward opportunities in the early stages of startup funding.
  3. Using a substantial impact team and unique operational approach, Primary Venture Partners aims to differentiate themselves in the competitive venture capital landscape.

Principles for the Permaweird

Breaking Smart • 219 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Theory Culture Politics Strategy
  1. Chiang's Law states that science fiction focuses on strange rules, while fantasy revolves around special people. This idea helps in understanding different storytelling styles.
  2. Chor-Pharn's Law suggests that knowing your identity leads to bigger conflicts, while uncertainty can cause cultural battles. It highlights the importance of self-awareness in societal issues.
  3. Boyd's Razor emphasizes prioritizing integrity over blind loyalty in leadership. This balance fosters a healthier work culture and encourages diverse ideas, preventing toxic environments.

Most Human Wins

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 270 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Strategy Economics Technology AI
  1. As technology advances, many skills we thought were unique to humans are becoming easier for machines to do. However, this doesn't mean that humans are being made irrelevant; rather, we need to find what makes us unique.
  2. The process of commoditization means that things that were once rare and valuable are now easier and cheaper to access. This opens up new opportunities for what skills can be considered valuable in a changing economy.
  3. It’s important to adapt and use the tools at our disposal creatively. As machines take over more tasks, we should focus on our human strengths and experiences, making them central to our endeavors.

Don't Give Up

Venture Prose • 459 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investment Marketing Strategy Success
  1. In crowded markets, strive to show unique insight, act fast, and execute well.
  2. If there's a clear leader, consider different strategies - like targeting a different geography or being more capital-efficient.
  3. Entering small or tough market sectors can still work if you start niche, focus on profitability, and learn from previous attempts.

What makes a card game great?

Matt’s Five Points • 219 implied HN points • 12 May 24
🎭️ Culture Games Hobbies Entertainment Strategy
  1. A great card game needs meaningful strategy. Players should be able to make decisions that can really affect the outcome, making the game more engaging and exciting.
  2. The game should be easy to learn and quick to set up. If new players can't grasp the rules in about ten minutes, they may lose interest before they even get to play.
  3. It’s important for the game to have little to no downtime. Everyone should stay involved and be able to play continuously to keep the fun going.

Philip Morris International: More More More

Invariant • 511 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance Marketing Strategy Investment Industry
  1. Philip Morris International is focusing more on next-gen products like IQOS and its heated tobacco units, with efforts to transition users from traditional cigarettes - showing promise for future growth.
  2. Despite some challenges like higher costs and FX pressures, PMI is maintaining its position in the market by introducing innovative products and investing in its portfolio.
  3. ZYN, another product spreading rapidly, faces questions about its popularity among underaged consumers, but it still shows strong growth due to being a preferred choice over competitors.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 29 - Aston Martin?!

The ZIPster • 35 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Management Strategy Sales
  1. Starting a business is tough, especially during hard times, but with the right idea, it can thrive. CitNOW found success by focusing on video services for car dealers when no one else was doing it.
  2. Partnerships can make or break a business. For CitNOW, getting a big contract with Nissan was a major boost, but it also showed how complex relationships with larger companies can be.
  3. When competition increases, businesses must adapt. CitNOW faced new rivals offering cheaper services, so they had to find ways to cut costs without losing quality to stay competitive.

Issue #7 - The Business Strategy, Where The Data Journey Starts

The Data Ecosystem • 179 implied HN points • 26 May 24
💼 Business Strategy Data Leadership Analytics Performance
  1. A business strategy is the game plan for a company to reach its goals. It involves having a clear vision, mission, and set of goals to guide the organization.
  2. Good business strategies have defined components that everyone in the company knows. This helps avoid confusion and keeps everyone focused on the same objectives.
  3. Data plays a crucial role in shaping modern business strategies. Companies need to integrate data and analytics into their plans to make informed decisions and stay competitive.

Should you ever talk smack about your competitors?

Startup Real Talk • 145 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups Marketing Strategy Competition Entrepreneurship
  1. It's usually not a good idea to criticize your competitors because it can make you appear weak. However, if you're a small player facing a giant competitor, it can be an exciting story to share.
  2. If you’re similar in size to your competitor, it's best to minimize mentions of them. Acknowledging them can give them more power, so keep your focus on your own strengths.
  3. If you’re the big player in the market, try to shift the conversation to something more positive about your brand. Being the giant can bring challenges, so it's wise to manage the narrative carefully.

40+ ICP marketing plays

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 465 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Sales Growth Strategy
  1. Identify your ideal customer profile (ICP) well. Look at signals like company growth and tech usage so you know who to target.
  2. Use different marketing strategies together, like emails and social media, to reach your best customers effectively. It's better than just hoping your ads will land on the right people.
  3. Keep track of how potential customers interact with your business, like signing up for newsletters or attending events. These actions show they are interested and can help guide your follow-up efforts.

10 SEO Myths Killing Your Business

Nail It and Scale It • 99 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Digital Strategy SEO Entrepreneurship
  1. SEO takes time and money to see real results. If you're looking for quick fixes, SEO might not be the best choice for your business.
  2. AI can help with some parts of SEO, like on-page optimization, but it can't do everything. Good content and backlinks still require a lot of manual effort.
  3. SEO isn’t a one-time task; it's an ongoing process. You need to keep optimizing and updating your site regularly to maintain good search rankings.

The Corner Step-Up

Hoop Vision • 569 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Strategy Analysis Offense Coaching
  1. A new ball screen continuity called 'The Corner Step-Up' involves players setting screens on the ball at the wing or slot area.
  2. Teams like Marquette, Texas A&M, and Houston are using the corner step-up action to create scoring opportunities, like open lanes to the basket or wide open shots.
  3. Texas A&M and Houston are running a unique offense featuring a patterned series of step-up screens called 'Continuity Step-Up.'