Ben
@stellarwork.com
I analyze tech companies through interviews and data. Besides that I run a podcast, angel investments, and I'm a mentor at the German Association for Engineering Management. 💻 https://www.stellarwork.com/
In this week’s newsletter I looked at:
- Nvidia quietly hiring the brains behind Groq instead of buying the company
- How $120bn of AI data centre debt vanished off Big Tech balance sheets
- Why Western carmakers are speed‑running China’s playbook
- And the Louvre 🙄
- Nvidia quietly hiring the brains behind Groq instead of buying the company
- How $120bn of AI data centre debt vanished off Big Tech balance sheets
- Why Western carmakers are speed‑running China’s playbook
- And the Louvre 🙄
December 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM
In this week’s newsletter I looked at:
- Nvidia quietly hiring the brains behind Groq instead of buying the company
- How $120bn of AI data centre debt vanished off Big Tech balance sheets
- Why Western carmakers are speed‑running China’s playbook
- And the Louvre 🙄
- Nvidia quietly hiring the brains behind Groq instead of buying the company
- How $120bn of AI data centre debt vanished off Big Tech balance sheets
- Why Western carmakers are speed‑running China’s playbook
- And the Louvre 🙄
AWS CEO says replacing young employees with AI is ‘one of the dumbest ideas’ and bad for business: ‘At some point the whole thing explodes on itself’
fortune.com/2025/12/16/a...
fortune.com/2025/12/16/a...
December 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM
AWS CEO says replacing young employees with AI is ‘one of the dumbest ideas’ and bad for business: ‘At some point the whole thing explodes on itself’
fortune.com/2025/12/16/a...
fortune.com/2025/12/16/a...
🎄 My Christmas Gift to You: 3 Things Magnus Taught Me About Transformation
1. Muscle Memory is Real (And Expensive)
2. The Best Truth About Change I’ve Ever Heard
3. Your Secret Sauce Isn’t Where You Think It Is
Happy holidays, and see you in 2026! 🥂
stellarwork.start.page
1. Muscle Memory is Real (And Expensive)
2. The Best Truth About Change I’ve Ever Heard
3. Your Secret Sauce Isn’t Where You Think It Is
Happy holidays, and see you in 2026! 🥂
stellarwork.start.page
Stellar Work
Stellar Work is a boutique consultancy specializing in measuring the impact of management during business transformations. With us, transformations are data-driven, scalable, and guided by both…
stellarwork.start.page
December 25, 2025 at 6:30 AM
🎄 My Christmas Gift to You: 3 Things Magnus Taught Me About Transformation
1. Muscle Memory is Real (And Expensive)
2. The Best Truth About Change I’ve Ever Heard
3. Your Secret Sauce Isn’t Where You Think It Is
Happy holidays, and see you in 2026! 🥂
stellarwork.start.page
1. Muscle Memory is Real (And Expensive)
2. The Best Truth About Change I’ve Ever Heard
3. Your Secret Sauce Isn’t Where You Think It Is
Happy holidays, and see you in 2026! 🥂
stellarwork.start.page
Hey everyone, Ben here. The year has come to an end.
Im wrapping up the year for the Stellar Work Podcast.
TL.DR this was ducking awesome!
Anyways. Off to a new start in 2025! Merry Christmas everyone!
Thanks for tuning in. And see you next year. 🙏
Im wrapping up the year for the Stellar Work Podcast.
TL.DR this was ducking awesome!
Anyways. Off to a new start in 2025! Merry Christmas everyone!
Thanks for tuning in. And see you next year. 🙏
December 24, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Hey everyone, Ben here. The year has come to an end.
Im wrapping up the year for the Stellar Work Podcast.
TL.DR this was ducking awesome!
Anyways. Off to a new start in 2025! Merry Christmas everyone!
Thanks for tuning in. And see you next year. 🙏
Im wrapping up the year for the Stellar Work Podcast.
TL.DR this was ducking awesome!
Anyways. Off to a new start in 2025! Merry Christmas everyone!
Thanks for tuning in. And see you next year. 🙏
Magnus’s advice for leaders navigating transformation:
1. Embrace standards - Stop reinventing wheels
2. Go open source - Your base software isn’t your differentiator
3. Software first, always - Less talking about specs, more building
But here’s the gem: “People don’t like to be changed.”
1. Embrace standards - Stop reinventing wheels
2. Go open source - Your base software isn’t your differentiator
3. Software first, always - Less talking about specs, more building
But here’s the gem: “People don’t like to be changed.”
December 22, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Magnus’s advice for leaders navigating transformation:
1. Embrace standards - Stop reinventing wheels
2. Go open source - Your base software isn’t your differentiator
3. Software first, always - Less talking about specs, more building
But here’s the gem: “People don’t like to be changed.”
1. Embrace standards - Stop reinventing wheels
2. Go open source - Your base software isn’t your differentiator
3. Software first, always - Less talking about specs, more building
But here’s the gem: “People don’t like to be changed.”
How come people laugh at this but run a corporate where they let 20 sales people (let’s call them Gary) approach 2 engineering teams, dumping requirements like they order at McDonalds drive through 🤷♂️
December 21, 2025 at 6:10 PM
How come people laugh at this but run a corporate where they let 20 sales people (let’s call them Gary) approach 2 engineering teams, dumping requirements like they order at McDonalds drive through 🤷♂️
Deloitte is eating its own dogfood. Finally. And it tastes terrible.
The future of these agencies will be: Small, AI powered and highly profitable.
The race on who finds out how to do this reliable, professional and actually valuable.
The future of these agencies will be: Small, AI powered and highly profitable.
The race on who finds out how to do this reliable, professional and actually valuable.
December 21, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Deloitte is eating its own dogfood. Finally. And it tastes terrible.
The future of these agencies will be: Small, AI powered and highly profitable.
The race on who finds out how to do this reliable, professional and actually valuable.
The future of these agencies will be: Small, AI powered and highly profitable.
The race on who finds out how to do this reliable, professional and actually valuable.
Happy weekend everyone! Have you had a chance to read the tech and management news of this week? Heres a summary of what I read:
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
December 20, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Happy weekend everyone! Have you had a chance to read the tech and management news of this week? Heres a summary of what I read:
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
The “Heartbeat” - How Mercedes syncs 1000+ people building hardware AND software together.
The result? Fast software delivery that doesn’t forget you’re building a 2-ton machine.
stellarwork.start.page
The result? Fast software delivery that doesn’t forget you’re building a 2-ton machine.
stellarwork.start.page
December 19, 2025 at 8:15 AM
The “Heartbeat” - How Mercedes syncs 1000+ people building hardware AND software together.
The result? Fast software delivery that doesn’t forget you’re building a 2-ton machine.
stellarwork.start.page
The result? Fast software delivery that doesn’t forget you’re building a 2-ton machine.
stellarwork.start.page
“You’re always talking about a 3 to 5 year journey” - Magnus on transformation timelines
Three years in. Results showing up in the new CLA. But Magnus says they’re just hitting their stride now.
Three years in. Results showing up in the new CLA. But Magnus says they’re just hitting their stride now.
December 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM
“You’re always talking about a 3 to 5 year journey” - Magnus on transformation timelines
Three years in. Results showing up in the new CLA. But Magnus says they’re just hitting their stride now.
Three years in. Results showing up in the new CLA. But Magnus says they’re just hitting their stride now.
Ever wondered what it takes to teach a legacy automaker new tricks? Magnus Östberg, Chief Software Officer at Mercedes-Benz, is doing exactly that.
Get the full episode over here: stellarwork.start.page
Get the full episode over here: stellarwork.start.page
December 15, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Ever wondered what it takes to teach a legacy automaker new tricks? Magnus Östberg, Chief Software Officer at Mercedes-Benz, is doing exactly that.
Get the full episode over here: stellarwork.start.page
Get the full episode over here: stellarwork.start.page
I read the news and made you a quick summary on everything about Tech Management and Transformation that Ive been interested in:
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
Oh and if you like this newsletter. Make sure to let me know ❤️ Thx
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
Oh and if you like this newsletter. Make sure to let me know ❤️ Thx
December 13, 2025 at 6:15 AM
I read the news and made you a quick summary on everything about Tech Management and Transformation that Ive been interested in:
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
Oh and if you like this newsletter. Make sure to let me know ❤️ Thx
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
Oh and if you like this newsletter. Make sure to let me know ❤️ Thx
1. When agile transformations fail, we commit a cognitive error before we even start fixing things
Karen calls it the “fundamental attribution error”
Karen calls it the “fundamental attribution error”
Stellar Work
Stellar Work is a boutique consultancy specializing in measuring the impact of management during business transformations. With us, transformations are data-driven, scalable, and guided by both…
stellarwork.start.page
December 12, 2025 at 9:15 AM
1. When agile transformations fail, we commit a cognitive error before we even start fixing things
Karen calls it the “fundamental attribution error”
Karen calls it the “fundamental attribution error”
Sometimes the best answer to a buzzwordy thing. Is to actually take on a scientific approach, dissect it into tangible things.
And thats exactly what Karen and Christiaan did.
We made an episode about their research on the Agile Mindset and Team Effectiveness.
Take a look: stellarwork.start.page
And thats exactly what Karen and Christiaan did.
We made an episode about their research on the Agile Mindset and Team Effectiveness.
Take a look: stellarwork.start.page
December 9, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Sometimes the best answer to a buzzwordy thing. Is to actually take on a scientific approach, dissect it into tangible things.
And thats exactly what Karen and Christiaan did.
We made an episode about their research on the Agile Mindset and Team Effectiveness.
Take a look: stellarwork.start.page
And thats exactly what Karen and Christiaan did.
We made an episode about their research on the Agile Mindset and Team Effectiveness.
Take a look: stellarwork.start.page
New CCIA/Morning Consult data tracked US adults over the past year and the numbers are striking:
• 3 in 5 adults have used GenAI (fastest tech adoption in history)
• Daily use jumped from 12% to 17% in 8 months
• 2 in 5 workers now use it at work, reporting 15% productivity gains
• 3 in 5 adults have used GenAI (fastest tech adoption in history)
• Daily use jumped from 12% to 17% in 8 months
• 2 in 5 workers now use it at work, reporting 15% productivity gains
December 7, 2025 at 8:01 AM
New CCIA/Morning Consult data tracked US adults over the past year and the numbers are striking:
• 3 in 5 adults have used GenAI (fastest tech adoption in history)
• Daily use jumped from 12% to 17% in 8 months
• 2 in 5 workers now use it at work, reporting 15% productivity gains
• 3 in 5 adults have used GenAI (fastest tech adoption in history)
• Daily use jumped from 12% to 17% in 8 months
• 2 in 5 workers now use it at work, reporting 15% productivity gains
Im continuing the Newsletter project.
No ads, no paid subscriptions just a quick list of things I read this week 😊
Enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
No ads, no paid subscriptions just a quick list of things I read this week 😊
Enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
December 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Im continuing the Newsletter project.
No ads, no paid subscriptions just a quick list of things I read this week 😊
Enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
No ads, no paid subscriptions just a quick list of things I read this week 😊
Enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
Can an agile mindset be "made"?
In our latest episode im interviewing Karen and Christiaan on their research.
Get the full episode over here on your favorite player: stellarwork.start.page
And yes. You can find all the videos on YouTube as well. Enjoy 😘
In our latest episode im interviewing Karen and Christiaan on their research.
Get the full episode over here on your favorite player: stellarwork.start.page
And yes. You can find all the videos on YouTube as well. Enjoy 😘
December 5, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Can an agile mindset be "made"?
In our latest episode im interviewing Karen and Christiaan on their research.
Get the full episode over here on your favorite player: stellarwork.start.page
And yes. You can find all the videos on YouTube as well. Enjoy 😘
In our latest episode im interviewing Karen and Christiaan on their research.
Get the full episode over here on your favorite player: stellarwork.start.page
And yes. You can find all the videos on YouTube as well. Enjoy 😘
Let’s see where this takes me…
Anyone of you already though with it?
Anyone of you already though with it?
December 3, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Let’s see where this takes me…
Anyone of you already though with it?
Anyone of you already though with it?
Dr. Karen Eilers and Christiaan Verwjis are scientifically exploring what this ominous "aGiLe MiNdSeT" is.
In our latest episode were uncovering their findings on their research paper: dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
In our latest episode were uncovering their findings on their research paper: dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
December 1, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Dr. Karen Eilers and Christiaan Verwjis are scientifically exploring what this ominous "aGiLe MiNdSeT" is.
In our latest episode were uncovering their findings on their research paper: dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
In our latest episode were uncovering their findings on their research paper: dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
Tomorrows episode, focusing on Christiaan and Karen's study on the effectiveness of agile teams. If you're interested in joining their research and evaluating your own team, here's the link to explore:
questionnaire.columinity.com/setup/model/...
questionnaire.columinity.com/setup/model/...
Diagnose Your Team
questionnaire.columinity.com
November 30, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Tomorrows episode, focusing on Christiaan and Karen's study on the effectiveness of agile teams. If you're interested in joining their research and evaluating your own team, here's the link to explore:
questionnaire.columinity.com/setup/model/...
questionnaire.columinity.com/setup/model/...
What does a Freiburg office with no nameplate, a 12-year chip bet, and the wrong battery chemistry have in common?
They're all in this week's newsletter. And they all teach something about long-term strategic thinking vs. short-term optimization.
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
They're all in this week's newsletter. And they all teach something about long-term strategic thinking vs. short-term optimization.
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
November 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM
What does a Freiburg office with no nameplate, a 12-year chip bet, and the wrong battery chemistry have in common?
They're all in this week's newsletter. And they all teach something about long-term strategic thinking vs. short-term optimization.
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
They're all in this week's newsletter. And they all teach something about long-term strategic thinking vs. short-term optimization.
open.substack.com/pub/stellarw...
I've reached a 48-week posting streak with Buffer!
November 29, 2025 at 12:04 AM
I've reached a 48-week posting streak with Buffer!
My latest episode is with Marcelo Lopez.
We were talking about how we all operate under invisible assumptions that we never question.
Marcelo used this phrase:
“paradigm-induced blindness.”
Get the full episode over here: stellarwork.start.page
We were talking about how we all operate under invisible assumptions that we never question.
Marcelo used this phrase:
“paradigm-induced blindness.”
Get the full episode over here: stellarwork.start.page
November 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
My latest episode is with Marcelo Lopez.
We were talking about how we all operate under invisible assumptions that we never question.
Marcelo used this phrase:
“paradigm-induced blindness.”
Get the full episode over here: stellarwork.start.page
We were talking about how we all operate under invisible assumptions that we never question.
Marcelo used this phrase:
“paradigm-induced blindness.”
Get the full episode over here: stellarwork.start.page
Marcelo and I have been talking about probably the most interesting study on AI 2025.
arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872
arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872
November 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Marcelo and I have been talking about probably the most interesting study on AI 2025.
arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872
arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872
During our recent discussion, Marcelo brought up the concept of paradigm-induced blindness, which was a key topic in our episode. This idea suggests that when people are entrenched in a particular way of thinking, they may become oblivious to new opportunities or solutions outside of that framework.
November 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
During our recent discussion, Marcelo brought up the concept of paradigm-induced blindness, which was a key topic in our episode. This idea suggests that when people are entrenched in a particular way of thinking, they may become oblivious to new opportunities or solutions outside of that framework.