The post So, you want to be an AI builder? Part 1: Get your computer setup first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.

The post Do we need to change how we work? What AI native teams look like. first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.

You know what nobody asked for? More low-quality Product Requirements Documents (PRDs). This is what the slop problem has created though, ironically decreasing overall organizational efficiency for the only thing that matters: speed to delivery. Everyone is so focused on improving their own personal efficiency they've lost sight of what matters: the organizational efficiency.

Read the post to avoid common traps and level up your approach to using AI in your daily workflow.

The post AI is great, but the slop problem is real first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.

In case you missed it, the TL;DR is that the AmEx Platinum annual fee is hiking from $695 to $895 (a 29% increase), compared to the Chase Sapphire Reserve's 45% increase.

Are the AmEx cards still worth it? Do I still recommend Chase over AmEx? Read the details to find out!

The post AmEx Credit Card Changes: Still Worth It? first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.

In case you missed it, the TL;DR is that the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) annual fee is hiking from $550 to $795 (a 45% increase) and the Sapphire point redemption bonuses in the Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) portal is being replaced by "Points Boost."

Are the cards still worth it? Read the details to find out!

The post Chase Sapphire Credit Card Changes in 2025: Still Worth It? first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.

Why are we still, in 2025, obsessed with a framework created 50 years ago at a now failing company? I have seen obsession with this framework violate my favorite principle from the Agile Manifesto, written about 30 years after the creation of the OKR framework: "Individuals and interactions over processes and tools."

Dive in to learn what OKRs actually are, how they are commonly misused, and how not to make common mistakes if you are using them.

The post So, You Want to Use OKRs? first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.

But wait, there's more! If you have reasons to share your org roll-up externally, the leader of that org can filter the document to make an external version. Pyramids within pyramids...

This is especially valuable if you are in a remote environment or in an organization where different roles report to different leaders. This mechanism maximizes communication flow and minimizes your time spent in status update meetings.

The post Creating a Pyramid of Radical Candor through Scaled Weekly Summaries first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.

Read the post for the links to freely use the ladder guide yourself!

The post The World’s First Open Source TPM Ladder Guide first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.

Read more for templates to use and instructions on how to use them

The post So, You Want to Make a Ladder Guide? Part 2: The Writing first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.

And if you travel internationally a lot, AmEx points - called Membership Rewards (MRs) - transfer directly to airline partners that make for some incredible deals.

Read more to find out how to add these cards to your quiver!

The post So, You Want To Play The Credit Card Game? Next Up: American Express Membership Rewards first appeared on Straker Carryer's Blog.