The hottest Strategy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Business strategy is a game

A Bit Gamey • 13 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
💼 Business Strategy Management Economics Marketing Innovation
  1. Business strategy can be viewed as a game, with players, rules, and outcomes. Understanding this can help you make better decisions.
  2. In life, we are often in serious games where our actions affect outcomes. Recognizing that can help you navigate challenges more effectively.
  3. Winning in business isn't just about competing; sometimes it's about helping others succeed and choosing the right game to play.

Organizational technology for uncertainty work

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 119 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
💼 Business Organizational Design Innovation Strategy Risk management
  1. Uncertainty work is different from risk work. While risk work involves clear outcomes and known probabilities, uncertainty work deals with unknowns and needs flexible strategies.
  2. Everyday organizational processes shape how companies function. If these processes are based on outdated best practices that assume stability, they can hinder the ability to handle uncertainty.
  3. To succeed in uncertainty work, organizations must redesign their processes for hiring, goal-setting, and motivation. This means being open to change and creating conditions that encourage learning and adaptation.

3 Ways To Thrive.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 25 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💼 Business Leadership Teamwork Strategy Organizational Culture Innovation
  1. Finding balance is important. It means weighing the old ways against new ideas to grow and adapt.
  2. Unity helps teams succeed. When everyone shares a common goal and works together, they can achieve more than just individual talents.
  3. Integration is about blending different perspectives. It means accepting and using diverse opinions and ideas to create strong solutions.

360° SaaS GTM assessment: 10 areas to diagnose your SaaS GTM health

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 47 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
💼 Business SaaS Marketing Sales Growth Strategy
  1. Diagnosing your Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy is crucial for the success of your SaaS business. You need to have a clear plan before jumping into execution, or you might waste resources.
  2. Your GTM strategy should include elements like understanding your ideal customers, defining your market position, and creating clear messaging. This helps in attracting and converting potential clients effectively.
  3. Regularly reviewing both your GTM strategy and execution helps you identify what works and what doesn't. This way, you can adjust your tactics to improve performance and achieve your growth goals.

From Charlie Munger to ChatGPT - The 'productivity gains' paradox

Platforms, AI, and the Economics of BigTech • 9 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
💼 Business Economics Technology Productivity Competition Strategy
  1. When companies see big productivity gains, it could mean they're losing their competitive edge in the long run. This happens because the benefits aren't always kept by the business, similar to how new technology can hurt original owners.
  2. It's important to figure out where productivity gains are coming from. If they're from the main product, the company might end up losing control and value, especially if they rely on outside suppliers.
  3. To stay ahead, businesses should focus on creating unique advantages with technology rather than just using it to improve what they already do. This way, they can keep more control over pricing and profits.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Kopi Kenangan, the Shein of Coffee

Math Not Magic • 117 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
💼 Business Startup Retail Technology Strategy Expansion
  1. Kopi Kenangan has revolutionized the coffee industry by pioneering a grab-and-go model for efficient coffee consumption.
  2. Kopi Kenangan's success lies in its digital-first approach, low-cost storefronts, and ability to differentiate itself in the competitive coffee market.
  3. Kopi Kenangan is not just a coffee company but a growing F&B conglomerate with expansion into new food brands and FMCG products.

Intellectual Laziness

MD&A • 404 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
💼 Business Finance Management Strategy Corporate culture Accounting
  1. Intellectual laziness can lead to catastrophic corporate failures, as seen in the case of GE and SVB.
  2. Managers who prioritize manipulating short-term earnings over creating long-term shareholder value are intellectually lazy.
  3. Intellectual rigor is essential in identifying underrated managers and avoiding overrated ones.

The Symphony of Strategic Roadmapping: A Personal Perspective on Product Prioritization

Product Power by Samet Ozkale • 78 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💼 Business Product Management Prioritization Strategy Communication Resource Allocation
  1. Product roadmapping is like conducting a symphony with prioritization setting the rhythm.
  2. Key elements of a product roadmap include vision, strategy, roadmap, prioritization, and backlog.
  3. Balancing stakeholder needs in roadmapping, aligning short-term goals with long-term vision, and agile adaptation are crucial for successful product development.

Ferrari's Unique Business Model Leads To Record Financial Performance

Huddle Up • 43 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
💼 Business Finance Marketing Strategy Operations Management
  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.

How To Deal With Ambiguity As A TPM

Building Rome(s) • 20 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
💼 Business Management Leadership Strategy Operations Product Development
  1. Starting with a clear goal helps the team stay focused and find the right path, even when things get confusing.
  2. Breaking down problems into smaller parts makes them easier to handle and allows the team to address challenges step by step.
  3. It's important to keep moving forward, even when the answers aren't clear. Trusting your gut and adapting quickly can lead to progress.

Setting and Measuring Objectives

Build To Scale • 98 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
💼 Business Management Goals Strategy Execution Accountability
  1. Setting clear and achievable objectives is crucial for organizational success. Avoid overly ambitious goals that may lead to dysfunctionality.
  2. Use a straightforward approach like SMART goals for setting objectives. Regular follow-ups help assess progress and address obstacles.
  3. Promote collaboration and alignment among departments in goal-setting. Encourage transparency, accountability, and coordination across the organization.

Why we have a freemium model

Founders Confidential • 19 implied HN points • 15 May 24
💼 Business Marketing Strategy Product Growth Economics
  1. A freemium model helps reach people who might not afford services otherwise. It allows companies to assist those, like students in developing countries, who are pursuing their dreams.
  2. Offering free services creates a lot of positive word-of-mouth. When people see value in free offerings, they tell others, which brings in new customers.
  3. Having a strong free tier pushes companies to provide a great user experience. It shouldn’t be frustrating to use; instead, it should show enough value to encourage users to consider paid features.

Fighting the Bandwagon Effect in Your Decisions

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 39 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business Banking Strategy Decision-making Growth Economics
  1. JPMorgan Chase is opening more physical branches, even though many think they're outdated. This shows that sometimes going against the trend can be a smart move.
  2. The bandwagon effect can lead people to make poor decisions just because others are doing something. It's important to think critically instead of just following the crowd.
  3. To resist the bandwagon effect, consider your own goals, gather diverse opinions, and take time to analyze options before making decisions. This can help you make better choices.

How To Start a New Role - Part 2

Fish Food for Thought • 4 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💼 Business Leadership Management Strategy Career development Organizational Culture
  1. When starting a new role, it's really important to listen more than you speak. Spend your first days understanding the team and the work they do instead of rushing to make changes.
  2. Use the 90/10 rule for communication: listen 90% of the time and speak only 10%. This helps you gather insights to make better decisions later.
  3. Focus on stopping projects that don't add value rather than starting new initiatives right away. This helps clarify priorities and shows you're willing to make tough decisions for the benefit of the team.

Winner takes all? Blockbusters’ effect on competition in platforms

Platform Papers • 39 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💼 Business Competition Platforms Crowdfunding Digital Strategy
  1. Digital platforms have to decide between focusing on blockbusters or long-tail content strategics based on their benefits. Blockbusters can drive significant traffic and users but may also intensify competition by monopolizing user attention.
  2. On crowdfunding platforms, blockbusters can have positive spillover effects by attracting attention and increasing funding for other projects. Related blockbusters have a stronger effect on a project than unrelated ones.
  3. For platforms or businesses, promoting blockbusters strategically can lead to increased user participation, spillover benefits, and competitive advantages. Leveraging blockbusters can drive growth and attract new users to a platform.

American Grand Strategy, Realism, and the Russo-Ukraine War

Comment is Freed • 167 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics International Conflict Strategy Alliance Support
  1. Putin aims to keep the Russo-Ukraine War going until 2025, hoping for a change in US leadership.
  2. There is a debate in the US about the support for Ukraine and the focus on Pacific versus Atlantic strategic priorities.
  3. Realism in foreign policy involves assessing the situation practically, considering interests, and making grounded decisions.

Improving the conversion rate 💰

André Casal's Substack • 1 HN point • 09 Sep 24
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Strategy Sales Product Development
  1. Improving the conversion rate is a top priority, and the focus will be on enhancing the landing page to stand out and attract more customers.
  2. A solid marketing strategy is being developed, which includes identifying the right channels, testing, and scaling successful approaches.
  3. The next steps involve making the product even better with new features and improved documentation to surprise and delight customers.

Engineering Efficiency vs. Engineering Experience - Problem #5

Fish Food for Thought • 6 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Management Strategy Productivity Human Resources Technology
  1. Businesses should focus on creating a positive Developer Experience (DevEx) instead of just looking at productivity numbers like lines of code. This helps developers thrive and leads to better products.
  2. Supporting a good DevEx can help keep talented developers at a company, reducing turnover and recruitment costs. Happy developers are more likely to stay and work effectively.
  3. Finding a balance between engineering efficiency and the overall experience of developers is key. When companies prioritize both, they can deliver higher-quality products and encourage long-term innovation.

✅ Owning public relations as a management discipline

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
💼 Business Public Relations Management Corporate Communication Strategy Growth
  1. Public relations is more than just writing press releases; it should be seen as a management discipline. Practitioners need to highlight its strategic role in building relationships and trust.
  2. A recent Deloitte report shows that public relations has become important in top management roles. It emphasizes that practitioners should contribute to decision-making and planning before diving into tactical communications.
  3. There is a need for public relations practitioners to own their identity and definition. Using alternative terms can weaken their position and influence, making it harder to communicate its true value and potential.

The virtue of indifference to outcome

Strategy Notes • 78 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Self-Improvement Strategy
  1. Having a sense of indifference to outcomes in competitions and challenges is important for strategists.
  2. Although outcomes matter, it's beneficial to approach challenges with indifference in the heart and mind.
  3. Strategists should cultivate a sense of indifference to the outcome of any given challenge for long-term success.

Firefighting

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 99 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
💼 Business Management Change Management Strategy Leadership
  1. Teams should be designed to adapt quickly to change rather than stay rigid. This means creating temporary project teams that can be evaluated and disbanded if they're no longer needed.
  2. Instead of focusing on strict, clear KPIs, organizations should promote flexibility. This allows teams more freedom to make the right choices based on changing situations.
  3. Employees should be encouraged to take on roles that allow for continual change. This mindset helps everyone prepare for shifts in their jobs and the organization as a whole.

30-60-90 For TPMs

Building Rome(s) • 19 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
💼 Business Management Career Startups Strategy Leadership
  1. When starting in a big tech company, your first month should focus on understanding the company's structure and people. It's important to learn the processes and key players to effectively navigate your new role.
  2. At startups, you need to adapt quickly, often ramping up in just a few weeks. Jump in and start contributing right away, as limited resources mean you’ll likely wear many hats.
  3. Building relationships is key in any new role. Prioritize meeting with colleagues and stakeholders to enhance collaboration and gather insights that will help you succeed.

Transformation, Leadership & Talent: A conversation with David Kenny.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 25 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
💼 Business Leadership Transformation Talent Management Strategy
  1. Transformation needs to have a clear direction. It's about knowing what you want to achieve, not just how fast you move.
  2. Leaders should build trust by being honest and clear. They need to be open about their decisions and willing to change when new information comes in.
  3. Diversity is key to business success. Having different perspectives helps in solving problems and finding the best talent from all backgrounds.

Make Your Future a Little Less Uncertain

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 39 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💼 Business Strategy Management Leadership Organizational Change Decision-making
  1. Success can come with unexpected challenges, which can be hard to talk about. It's important to recognize and address these challenges as they arise.
  2. Changes in society, like those seen during the pandemic, can really impact how organizations connect with their clients. Adapting communication methods is crucial for effective outreach.
  3. Issues like inflation and increased stress in people's lives can lead to more divorces and conflicts. Organizations need to be ready to support their clients through these tough times.

The Big Idea vs. Incremental Improvements - Problem #2

Fish Food for Thought • 8 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💼 Business Innovation Strategy Entrepreneurship Market Analysis Leadership
  1. Big ideas can be exciting and lead to major changes, but they come with big risks. Not every bold vision will succeed, especially if it doesn't meet practical needs.
  2. Small, continuous improvements can often lead to more stable success. Companies that focus on gradual progress can adapt better to changing markets and customer needs.
  3. Finding a balance between big ideas and smaller steps is key. Companies can inspire breakthroughs while ensuring long-term growth by combining bold visions with incremental changes.