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The Tech Strategy Podcast — Technology
The Tech Strategy Podcast

A podcast by TechMoat Consulting on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US and China / Asia.

Tech Strategy offers:

-Deep dives into the strategies and business models of leading tech companies.

-Lessons on important digital concepts.

Lots more information available at Jefftowson.com and techmoatconsulting.com

To marketers, I do not have podcast guests.

This podcast is not investment advice. Me and any guests may get the numbers or information wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Copyright: © 2022 The Tech Strategy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Why Beauty Ecommerce and Beauty Tech Are So Attractive (228) Nov 15, 2024

This week’s podcast is about why I like beauty ecommerce. And beauty tech.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tours.
There are five points.

An attractive space. With lots of interesting consumer behavior.
Premiumization
Fragmentation and changing competition
Innovation and Digital Disruption
- Lots of dimensions for digital to impact.
  - Content (think TikTok). Also education.
  - Experiential
  - Social
- Plus hardware and science innovation
Data driven Personalization

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why Every Business Must Run a Personalization Marathon (227) Nov 08, 2024

This week’s podcast is about personalization and never-ending customer improvements. This is a key operating activity. And sometimes it is a digital marathon that can create an operating advantage.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here are the 4 steps to start personalizing.

Step 1 is DOB3 (Digital Core) and DOB 6 (people, culture, teams). Do organizational change.
Step 2 is to identify 3-4 Use Cases:
- These will impact different functions differently.
Step 3 is to have an ROI within 6 months.
Step 4 is to get the process to 5-7 days.

Here are the 6 types of customers (from BCG).

Brand advocates
Multicategory
Single-category regulars
Deal seekers
Disengaged
Lapsed

Here are the 4 levels of personalization and customer improvements.
Level 1 - Personalization Playbook
Level 2 - Upgrade to Wow Experiences.

Also move beyond just sales transactions. Do experience management

Level 3 - Upgrade to complementary services. Bundles. Consumption ecosystems.
Level 4 – Add AI services. This is where the Rate of Learning Marathon really matters. Watch for machine learning operating flywheels.
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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Tribe and Belief Network Effects Have Gone Digital (i.e., Why Everything is Now Political) (226) Oct 22, 2024

This week’s podcast is about how non-rational behavior plays out products / services, consumer behavior and network effects.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Point 1: Digital is super-charging consumer products, experiences and behaviors. Especially when it is about psychology and emotion. And not just utility.
Point 2: The most powerful version of digitally supercharged consumer products rise to the level of share of the consumer mind. A competitive advantage.
Point 3: Products / services are increasingly being boosted by a degree of connectivity. This is usually described as community. Or interactivity.
Point 4: Tribal and belief behavior can have a big impact on consumer experience. Sometimes rising to the level of SCM.
Point 5: Tribal (shared identity) and shared belief behavior can increase retention. Sometimes rising to the level of Switching Costs.
Point 6: Tribal (shared identity) and shared belief behavior can Sometimes rising to the level of Network Effects.
Final Point: Digital tools are making tribal and belief effects more sophisticated, surgical and powerful. That is why it is showing up in everything.
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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

My 6 Questions for Network Effects. And Its 4 Big Effects. (225) Oct 17, 2024

This week’s podcast is about network effects. And my 6 questions to look for.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here are the 4 network effects questions:

What is the asymptotic scale?
What is the minimum viable scale?
What is the shape of the curve?
What is the scale differential with rivals?

Here the 4 network effect effects:

Network effects can cause rapid increases in the real or perceived value and/or utility to customers. A product or service that increases in value TO THE USER is great. And this is usually what we are talking about with network effects.
1. This is usually thought of as consumers. Or business customers. But it can also be for other user groups, like content creators and developers.
2. This doesn’t necessarily mean growth. You can have a great and improving service in a small or flat market.
Network effects can increase economic value. This is not the same thing as customer value (real or perceived). If a platform business model has attractive unit economics and growth potential, then you can see increasing economic value and shareholder returns with network effects. But not always. You can have a fantastic service with increasing customer but not economic value (by network effects)
Network effects can create a competitive advantage. This is demand side economies of scale as a moat. This is what collapses the market to a monopoly or oligopoly. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the creation of economic value. You can dominate an unattractive business. And it doesn’t necessarily mean growth. You can dominate a stagnant business.
Network effects can create a barrier to entry. In digital, this is mostly by indirect network effects, which have a chicken and egg problem. That is hard for new entrants to overcome with an incumbent present. There is less of a barrier to entry with direct network effects. We also see barriers to entry in physical networks which require lots of tangible assets. Replicating a railroad is almost impossible in a developed country.

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
Photo is AI generated

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Why TikTok Is More Powerful than Netflix. 5 Lessons from Consumer Video. (224) Oct 05, 2024

This week’s podcast is about TikTok vs. Netflix. And how consumer behavior combines with digital tools in the video space.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here is the interview with Jonathan Haidt. And his book the Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
Here are the 5 lessons:
Lesson 1: High Frequency Video MTV Was More Powerful Than Long-Form TV Stories
Lesson 2: Digital-First Netflix Crushed Cable TV with Selection, Price, and Convenience
Lesson 3: Interactive YouTube and Streaming Was More Powerful than Passive Videos
Lesson 4: TikTok Trumped Netflix Using “Endless Dopamine”
Lesson 5: Machine Learning-Centric Video TikTok Was Also Superior for Consumers and Creators
Here are the 5 mentioned content types

Education
Story telling
Mindless entertainment. Including things like comedy.
News / Politics
Sports

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
Photo is AI generated

Support the show

3 Lessons from the Fall (and Maybe Rise) of Coinbase (223) Sep 26, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Coinbase, which has been coming back in terms of share price and revenue.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here are the three lessons:
Lesson 1: Don’t get seduced by stories and cool business models.
Lesson 2: You live and die with the customer. Bitcoin + Coinbase was a 10x solution to a massive problem.
Lesson 3: You can’t disrupt the government. Or State Owned or State-Directed Enterprises. Unless they approve.

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

5 Reasons Travis Kalanick’s CloudKitchens Is Better Than Uber. In Theory. (222) Sep 17, 2024

This week’s podcast is about CloudKitchens, the new venture of former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. And why I think it is a better business model than Uber. In theory.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here is the interview with Travis on the All in Podcast about this business.
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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Is Profitable Kuaishou an Investment Opportunity? (221) Sep 12, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Kuaishou. And the key questions that determine its future.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here are my three longer-term questions for Kuaishou.

What is the future relationship with Tencent? As it relates to users and engagement?
Economies of Scope. Does it need to move beyond video to other content and attention types. Like TikTok and Tencent have done.
Economies of Scale. Is it subscale in video and entertainment? As a China-only business?

Here is a past article on this.

Kuaishou Is Finally Profitable. But Is It Too Small to Win Long Term? (Tech Strategy)

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Porter's Five Forces and Why You Shouldn't Be an Influencer / KOL (220) Sep 06, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Ruhnn Holding, KOLs / Influencers and Michael Porter's Five Forces.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here are some factors to consider when assessing the bargaining power of buyers.

Concentration of buyers:
Purchase size:
Differentiation of products or services:
Switching costs
Price sensitivity:
Informed buyers:

Here are some factors to consider when assessing competitive rivalry.

Number of competitors:
Industry growth rate:
Fixed costs:
Exit barriers:
Undifferentiated products / services:

Here are some factors to consider for New Entrants.

Economies of scale:
Product differentiation:
Capital requirements:
Access to distribution channels.
Government regulations:
Switching costs:

Here are some factors to consider for assessing the Threat of Substitutes.

Availability of substitutes
Availability of close substitutes (i.e., “the sense that products are similar”):
Relative price performance:
Customer willingness to go elsewhere:

Here are some factors to consider for Supplier Power.

The number and concentration of suppliers:
Uniqueness and differentiation:
Switching costs:
Forward integration:
Industry importance:

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Can Bilibili Get to Sustainable Scale and Profits in Specialty Video? (219) Aug 26, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Bilibili and its choice between staying with specialty video or going mass market video service.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
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Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Audience Builder Platform
Digital Attacker Strategy
Videos

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Bilibili

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The 3 Growth Engines of Lazada (218) Aug 14, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Lazada and the current state of ecommerce in Southeast Asia.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Fans, Collectors and Gamblers: The Consumer Behaviors of Pop Mart (217) Aug 07, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Pop Mart and its ability to tap into really interesting consumer behaviors.

Fan and enthusiast behavior
Collecting behavior
Gambling and rewards behavior

You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to our management sessions with the latest consumer-facing innovations by China’s digital leaders (here).
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Correction: In the podcast, I talked about Jake Paul being a Pokemon fan. I meant Logan Paul.
Here’s my summary of Pop Mart in one graphic.
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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How Ashley Dudarenok Grew 2 China-Focused Digital Businesses (Growth Tactics Podcast) Aug 04, 2024

Today’s podcast is part of a new series on Growth Tactics, where we talk to digital businesses that are winning. And dig into what worked and what didn’t.
This episode (located here) is an interview with Ashley Dudarenok, the founder of Alarice (China-focused digital marketing agency) and ChoZan (China digital transformation consultancy.
Ashley (www.ashleydudarenok.com) is a naturalized Chinese serial entrepreneur, award winning digital expert and book author, recognized by Thinkers50 as a “Guru on fast-evolving trends in China”. Ashley and her team help world's top companies and brands to learn for and from China. She’s also a sought after professional speaker covering topics around customer centricity, the future of retail, technology in action. Ashley is the author of 11 books on digital China.
Here are some contact links:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleydudarenok/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/ashleydudarenok
Twitter/X https://twitter.com/AshleyDudarenok

It was a fun discussion with quite a few valuable lessons.
Here is an article summarizing my 5 lessons from the conversation.

5 Lessons in Digital Growth from Serial China Entrepreneur Ashley Dudarenok (Growth Tactics)

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

5 Things I Love About the HubSpot Business Model (Sort of) (216) Jul 31, 2024

This week’s podcast is about HubSpot and the really cool aspects of its business model.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here are the 5 things I like about the business model:

Software bundles. Especially integrated. Especially with freemium pricing.
Recurring revenue
Switching Costs: Financial, Procedural, Relational and Risk
The ecosystem with network effects (in theory). A Developer Flywheel in practice.
Sales and Marketing Flywheel

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Is GenAI Disrupting Salesforce? (215) Jul 24, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Salesforce and how generative AI is going to impact its business.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here are my 3 working conclusions.

GenAI is going into their existing services, which are used by teams at their clients. Salesforce is well positioned for this.
GenAI is going to get incorporated into the workflows of their clients. This requires an AI tech stack, which Salesforce does not have. AI Cloud companies are building this and offering it as a service. This is a problem.
AI Agents are emerging and this will change the workforce of CRM within companies. This is a big problem for Salesforce. Competitor Microsoft is well positioned here.

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The 3 Steps of a Digital Attacker Strategy (214) Jul 18, 2024

This week’s podcast is about a common playbook for a digital attacker (whether a digital native or incumbent).
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here are the 3 steps of the digital attacker strategy.

Step 1: A new digital tool enables a superior service to emerge. This is used to break into an existing business. This often causes an unbundling of the existing offerings.
Step 2: Existing value chains get transformed. Everyone scrambles to grab the valuable positions.
Step 3: The new leaders add services, complements and bundles.

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

4 Tech Investing Lessons from Constellation Software (213) Jul 11, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Constellation Software. And their approach to software investing.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
On the Constellation webpage, they actually list their criteria for both “exceptional” and “good” companies. Here’s what they say.

Exceptional businesses
- Mid-to-large vertical market software businesses. With greater than $1M EBITDA.
- Consistent earnings and growth. Constellation has a good equation for this:
  - EBITDA/Revenue + Revenue Growth = 20%
- Experienced and committed management.
Good businesses
- #1 or 2 in a niche vertical market
- Revenue over $5M
- Hundreds or thousands of customers
- “Unimposing” competitors

Constellation is an interesting company to follow if you invest in tech companies. Just follow their transactions. They do lots of them and you can learn a lot.
Cheers, Jeff
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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How Beauty Brand Depology Grew to $20M in Ecommerce Sales in 3 Years (Growth Tactics Series) Jul 03, 2024

Today's podcast is part of a new series on Growth Tactics, where we talk to digital businesses that are winning. And dig into what worked and what didn't.
Our first episode is an interview with Alex Lee, the CEO and co-founder of beauty brand and DTC ecommerce site Depology.
After years of struggle as a small ecommerce site, Alex pivoted to beauty and skin care products in 2019. And then grew rapidly to $10M in revenue in ten months. And within 3 years, Depology had grown to $20M in sales.
That's awesome. I talked with Alex about how they did it. What growth tactics worked? Which didn't?
It was a fun discussion with quite a few valuable lessons. Plus, it's great to see a former MBA student of mine doing so well.
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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why Microsoft's Bundles Are So Powerful. As Slack Found Out. (212) Jul 02, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Microsoft and how they use bundles to beat competitors. As Slack found out.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
Here is the link to the All In Podcast mentioned. The Microsoft discussion happens at 1 hour and 3 minutes.
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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How to Build Barriers to Entry with GenAI and Intelligence (211) Jun 26, 2024

This week’s podcast is about where GenAI and intelligence capabilities can create barriers to entry (not competitive advantages).
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the Tech Tour.
—–--
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

My Generative AI Playbook: Step 2 (210) Jun 20, 2024

This week’s podcast is Step 2 in my playbook for CEOs and investors in Generative AI.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
—---—
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

iQIYI's Playbook for Tech-Empowered Entertainment (209) Jun 11, 2024

This week’s podcast is about iQIYI's tech strategy.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Cheers, Jeff
---------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Lessons from Visits to JD, iQIYI and Huawei (208) Jun 05, 2024

This week’s podcast is about our Beijing Tech Tour. And my 3 main lessons.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
My lessons are:

JD is flooding money into logistics tech. Increasingly globally.
Huawei is showing the future for turnkey digital infrastructure.
iQIYI likely the future business model for movies and tv.

Cheers, Jeff

Support the show

Alibaba’s Generative AI Strategy (207) May 14, 2024

This week’s podcast is about Alibaba and what they are doing in Generative AI.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Cheers, Jeff
--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Forget the “Sharing Economy”. Watch for Disruptors in Access vs. Ownership Businesses. (206) May 05, 2024

This week’s podcast is about ownership vs. access business models. It's a good framework for thinking about digital disruptors such as Airbnb, Uber and Mobike.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Huawei Is Building the New Data Architecture of Generative AI. Plus, Baidu's New Agent Builder. (205) Apr 26, 2024

This week’s podcast is about two interesting parts of the new GenAI Tech Stack.

The data infrastructure layer. Where Huawei is a leader.
Agent and model building. Where Baidu is a leader.

You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
——-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How to Build GenAI into Operations - Part 2 (204) Apr 14, 2024

This week’s podcast is Part 2 on my framework for AI Strategy. Part 1 was in Podcast 203.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting. Which has the details for the Beijing Tech Tour.
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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

A Framework for GenAI Strategy - Part 1 (203) Apr 10, 2024

This week’s podcast is a framework for thinking about AI Strategy. And an intro to the AI Tech Stack.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
——-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The 3 EV Business Models of BYD, Xiaomi and Tesla (202) Apr 03, 2024

This week’s podcast is about how auto companies are changing into digital business models. Specifically, it is about three archetype business models we can see in BYD, Xiaomi and Tesla.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
The 3 EV business models are:

EV Business Model 1 (i.e., BYD) is “Manufacturing Plus Services”. That’s Autos Plus Auto Services. Plus Linked Battery Manufacturing.
EV Business Model 2 (i.e., Xiaomi) is a “Manufacturing Plus a Consumption Ecosystem”. That’s Auto (Plus Auto Services) Plus Digital Services”.
EV Business Model 3 (i.e., Tesla) is “Manufacturing Plus AI Services”

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Support the show

CRAs Are the Path From Digital Operating Activities to Moats (2 of 2) (201) Dec 28, 2023

This week’s podcast is Part 2 of Capabilities, Resources and Assets (CRAs). They are a key part of strategy. And link operating performance with structural advantages. Here is Part 1.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Key points:
Point 1: Operating performance and structural advantage are separate parts of strategy and management.
Point 2: But they are also linked. By a select list of capabilities, resources, and assets (CRAs)
Point 3: Operating activities create and maintain CRAs, which can be tangible and intangible.
Point 4: Sometimes CRAs can manifest as competitive advantages and barriers to entry.
Point 5: CEOs need to identify moats. And then chart a path of critical CRAs to build and rebuild them.
McKinsey’s Framework for Intangible Assets

Innovation / Creative Assets.

Digital and Analytics Assets.

Human and Relational Assets. This has two sub-types. This is any time, effort or money spent on:
- Building individual or organizational skills through training within an organization.
- Building ecosystems and networks external the organization is also important.

Brand Assets.

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The 4 Pillars of Baidu's AI Cloud Strategy (2 of 2) (200) Dec 27, 2023

This week’s podcast is part 2 of a deep dive into Baidu Cloud, a leading provider of cloud and intelligence services. And arguably China’s AI leader.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here are the four pillars:

Pillar 1: Baidu AI Cloud Is an Innovation Platform Pushing to Reach Critical Mass
Pillar 2: Baidu AI Cloud Is Also Moving to Become a Technology Standard Deeper in the AI Tech Stack
Pillar 3: Baidu’s AI-Focused Cloud Has 2 Advantages Over Other Innovation Platforms
Pillar 4: Baidu's AI Cloud Is a Flywheel in Industry-Specific Intelligence

------------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why iQIYI Is the GenAI Innovator to Watch in Video Entertainment (199) Dec 26, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into iQIYI's activities in generative AI, which is a natural evolution from their long focus on digital transformation.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
———
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

A Breakdown of Reddit's Really Simple Business Model (198) Dec 24, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Reddit, the "community of communities, driven by interests and passions".
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
----------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Baidu's AI Cloud Strategy Is Great. It's a Flywheel in Industry-Specific Intelligence. (197) Dec 23, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Baidu Cloud, a leading provider of cloud and intelligence services. And arguably China's AI leader.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
———–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Lessons from Alibaba Cloud’s AI and Big Data Summit (196) Dec 22, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Alibaba Cloud, a leading provider of cloud and intelligence services. They recently had an AI and Big Data Summit in Singapore.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
———–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Will Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Win Big in Human Capital and Non-Human Workforces? (195) Dec 21, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Automatic Data Processing (ADP), a leading provider of software and services for human resources.
ADP is a company that is surprisingly well positioned to use AI to better manage human capital and build non-human workforces.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why TikTok Shop is a Big Problem for Etsy (194) Dec 20, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Etsy. And how it is leaning into the creativity and human connection aspects of marketplaces.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here are my 5 questions (thus far) for assessing the viability of a specialty ecommerce company.

Is the company sufficiently differentiated in the user experience?
Can the company compete and/or differentiate in logistics or infrastructure without ongoing spending?
Does the company have a strong competitive advantage in a circumscribed market?
Is there a clear path to significant operational cash flow?
Has the company avoided markets and situations that are attractive or strategic for the major ecommerce companies?

Here are the mentioned articles and podcasts:
Etsy and How to Predict the Winners in Specialty Ecommerce (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
Pinduoduo, Etsy, and OTC: How Specialty Ecommerce Can Thrive Against the Giants. (Tech Strategy – Podcast 97)
———–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Facebook Meta is Mostly 4 Networks and 2 Platforms (193) Dec 19, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Facebook Meta. And how I break down the business model and the key factors.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
The 5-6 factors mentioned are:

People networks
Audience-builder platforms
Limited ecosystems
Profit vs engagement products
Hierarchies of control
Substitutes

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
———–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

BYD Is Running China's "Manufacturing to the World” Playbook (192) Dec 18, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into BYD. And about how Chinese manufacturers go international.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the article on the AI influencer.
———–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
Photo by P. L. on Unsplash

Support the show

3 Factors Will Determine the Future of Verisign Inc. (191) Dec 17, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Verisign, Inc (Nasdaq: VRSN). It focuses on the biggest factors for the future of the company.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
——–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

CA16: State-Granted Competitive Advantages
Standardization Network Effects
Substitutes

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Verisign Inc

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Digital Strategy Lesson: CRAs Are the Path From Operating Activities to Competitive Advantage (1 of 2) (190) Dec 16, 2023

This week’s podcast is Part 1 of Capabilities, Resources and Assets (CRAs). They are a key part of strategy. And link operating performance with structural advantages.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to our China Tech Tour.
Key points:
Point 1: Operating performance and structural advantage are separate parts of strategy and management.
Point 2: But they are also linked. By a select list of capabilities, resources, and assets (CRAs)
Point 3: Operating activities create and maintain CRAs, which can be tangible and intangible.
Point 4: Sometimes CRAs can manifest as competitive advantages and barriers to entry.
Point 5: CEOs need to identify moats. And then chart a path of critical CRAs to build and rebuild them.

—---–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Capabilities, Resources and Assets
Intangible Assets
Serial Moats

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

——-----
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The 4 Digital Concepts Powering Salesforce, Inc. (Tech Strategy - Podcast 189) Dec 09, 2023

This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Salesforce, Inc. It focuses on the biggest competitive strengths of the company.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here are the comments by Eddie Wu at Alibaba:

Aliviews: Eddie Wu on Alibaba’s Q2 Earnings

——–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

SaaS
Switching Costs: Financial, Procedural, Relational and Risk
Economies of Scale: Fixed Costs: Specialized, Cumulative and Niche
Enterprise Software: CRM

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Salesforce Inc

---------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The Arm Holdings' China Question (188) Dec 08, 2023

This week’s podcast is part two of a deep dive into Arm Holdings. About how China and AI are external factors impacting its future trajectory.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
——–
Photo by Vishnu Mohanan on Unsplash

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The 4 Digital Concepts Powering Arm Holdings (187) Dec 07, 2023

This week’s podcast is part of a company deep dive into Arm Holdings.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Here is my summary of the 4 big digital concepts behind Arm Holdings:

Standardization and Interconnection Network Effects
Indirect Network Effects by linkage with Operating System Innovation Platform
Economies of Scale in R&D
Switching Costs, including Criticality with Semiconductor and OEM Companies

I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Digital Strategy Lesson: An Intro to the Digital Operating Basics (Part 2 of 2) (186) Dec 06, 2023

This week’s podcast is Part 2 of an introductory explanation for the Digital Operating Basics. This is a very useful framework for thinking about digital transformation.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Here is my summary of digital operating basics (Dr. Ram’s book combined with some of my own thinking):

Rapid Growth at Small Incremental Cost. And Without Constraints.
Never-Ending Personalization and Customer Improvements.
Digital Core for Management and Operations.
Connectedness, Interoperability and Coordination-Based Operating Models (Including Platforms and Ecosystems).
Leadership and Management.
People, Culture and Teams.
Sustainable Cash Engine that Scales

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Digital Strategy Lesson: An Intro to the Digital Operating Basics (Part 1 of 2) (185) Nov 17, 2023

This week’s podcast is Part 1 of an introductory explanation for the Digital Operating Basics. This is a very useful framework for thinking about digital transformation.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Here is my summary of digital operating basics (Dr. Ram’s book combined with some of my own thinking):

Rapid Growth at Small Incremental Cost. And Without Constraints.
Never-Ending Personalization and Customer Improvements.
Digital Core for Management and Operations.
Connectedness, Interoperability and Coordination-Based Operating Models (Including Platforms and Ecosystems).
Leadership and Management.
People, Culture and Teams.
Sustainable Cash Engine that Scales

--------
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Operating Basics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Digital Strategy Lesson: An Introduction to Rate of Learning (184) Nov 02, 2023

This week’s podcast is an introductory explanation to Rate of Learning (and Adaptation). This is an increasingly important concept in digital strategy.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Big tech events from this week:

Expanded export ban for GPUs to China (here)
Eureka AI training robots in advanced tasks (here)
iQIYI signs deal with Thailand's Tourism Authority (here)

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

——------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Things I'm Watching for on Singles' Day (183) Oct 23, 2023

This week’s podcast is about Singles Day, which is coming up fast. Lots of stuff gets reported. But I am looking for 3 main things.
1: What is the fastest growing and most innovative frontier of ecommerce?
2: What are the big new bundles for consumers and the new products / services for merchants?
3: How did the company do in the stress test?
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
–—-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Singles Day

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Alibaba

----------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

5 Ways 5G and 5.5G Are Game Changers for Business (182) Oct 15, 2023

This week’s podcast is about 5G and 5.5G (also called 5G-Advanced). This is a short-list of scenarios where they are going to have a big impact.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Here are the 5 scenarios:

Glasses Free 3D
Self-Guided Vehicles
Next Gen Manufacturing
Cellular IoT
Intelligent Computing Everywhere

---------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Is Life Just AI Agents Plus Gaming Engines? (181) Oct 09, 2023

This week’s podcast is about digital and AI agents. This will lead to the emergence of non-human platforms and business models.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Here is the podcast mentioned.
—–--
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

GPT and Generative AI: AutoGPT
Digital Marathon: Zero human operations
Digital vs. Human Agents
Platform Business Models: Non-Human Platforms and Business Models

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

OpenAI / ChatGPT
AgentGPT

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Huawei's New AI Tech Stack and "All Intelligence" Strategy (180) Sep 29, 2023

This week’s podcast is about Huawei's new AI tech stack, which is impressive in its ability to provide end-to-end solutions. Also their new "All Intelligence" Strategy.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
———
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Artificial Intelligence
Cloud
Digital and AI Transformation

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Huawei

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Take-Aways from My Interview with Lazada CEO James Dong. And CTO Howard Wang (179) Sep 22, 2023

This week’s podcast is about my interviews with Lazada CEO James Dong and CTO Howard Wang. Here are my 3 three take-aways.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
————
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Southeast Asia
Ecommerce

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Lazada

————
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

My Predictions for Apple vs. Huawei in China (178) Sep 14, 2023

This week’s podcast is about the high profile events at both Apple and Huawei in China this month. Here’s my breakdown on what it means.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.

---------

Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Role of the State
China

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Apple
Huawei

-----------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

JD's Big Play for Low Cost China (177) Sep 07, 2023

This week’s podcast is about some big moves at JD.com - especially their big strategic move to go after the low-cost market of China. Here's my breakdown on what it means.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting
—-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Marketplace Platforms
Digital Physical Hybrid

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

JD.com

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.

Support the show

Understanding Hyper-Politicized China (176) Aug 28, 2023

This week’s podcast is about the current hyper-politicization of all things China. It's my take for assessing what it means.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
----—-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Role of the State

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Rules for Winning Big in Digital (175) Aug 23, 2023

This week’s podcast is about digital transformation, which is a long-term and complicated effort by established companies. This podcast is about what really matters.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
Here are the three rules:
Rule 1: The Need for Speed
Rule 2: Intangibles - You Need Invisible Engines to Win
Rule 3: Leadership – Everybody Falls the First Time
Here are the 4 intangible assets mentioned.

4 Types of Intangible Assets in Digital Businesses (Tech Strategy – Podcast 151)

——-

Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital transformation
Leadership digital divide
4 intangible assets

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

—--–------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Strategy Lessons from My Visit to Ant (174) Aug 13, 2023

This week’s podcast is about my visit to Ant Group.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The Sexy But Dangerous Economics of Digital (173) Aug 04, 2023

This week’s podcast is about digital / information economics.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
—--
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Costs
Pricing / Versioning
Willingness to Pay / Consumer Surplus

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What's Next for iQIYI and Video Entertainment? (172) Jul 23, 2023

This week's podcast is about my visit to iQIYI. And what I think is coming next for video entertainment under major digital disruption.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
--------
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

4 Intangible Assets
Audience-builder platforms
Generative AI

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

iQIYI

--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Threads Will Beat Twitter (Assuming Good Engagement and Product Market Fit) (171) Jul 13, 2023

This week’s podcast is about the recent launch of Threads, Meta's clone of Twitter.
My assessment is that Threads will likely beat Twitter. However, this depends on Treads getting product market fit. They have to get and retain actual engagement at significant. If that doesn't happen, then none of my strategy analysis matters.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
———
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Complementary platforms
Audience-builder platforms
SMILE Marathon: Sustained Innovation

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Twitter
Meta / Facebook / Instagram / Threads

——--
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Huawei Launches 5.5G. Plus, Lessons from the Shanghai Mobile World Conference. (170) Jul 03, 2023

This week’s podcast is about my visit to the Shanghai Mobile World Conference. And the Huawei 5.5G R&D Center. These are my takeaways for what is going to happen next in digital infrastructure.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
———
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

n/a

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Huawei

---------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Strategy Lessons from My Visit to ByteDance (169) Jun 24, 2023

This week’s podcast is about my visit to ByteDance, which is just a fascinating company. Lots of good lessons that I will be writing about.
Two clarifications:

This was a visit to a ByteDance office. Which is a different group than TikTok.
The ecommerce GMV numbers cited are from external reports - and not ByteDance or TikTok. And these numbers are likely probably guesses and only somewhat accurate.

You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you're interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
———
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Externalization of Capabilities
4 Terrains and Strategies

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

ByteDance

-----------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Digital Strategy Lessons from Epic Games and NetEase (168) Jun 17, 2023

This week’s podcast is about NetEase and how gaming ecosystems (like Epic Games) have lots of important digital strategy lessons.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
If you are interesting in discussing your digital strategy, please contact us at TechMoat Consulting.
——–
Related podcasts and articles are:

JD’s Emerging Competitive Advantages? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson / Update)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Platforms vs. ecosystems
Online Gaming

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

NetEase
Epic Games

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How WeChat Became the Everything App (167) Jun 10, 2023

This week’s podcast is about WeChat, which really has reached a level of daily usage that makes it the "everything app". Here is my breakdown on how it got there strategically.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to TechMoat Consulting, with the Tech Tour.

————
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

4 Insights from the Head of JD Smart Logistics Park (166) May 27, 2023

This week’s podcast is about JD Logistics, which is building a smart logistics network at China scale. I spoke to one of its heads and this is what I learned.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.

--------

Related podcasts and articles are:

JD’s Emerging Competitive Advantages? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson / Update)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

N/A

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

JD Logistics
JD

-------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Steps to Supercharge Your Business and Career with Generative AI (165) May 22, 2023

This week’s podcast is about how generative AI can start improving your business and career.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here are three things you can (should) do right now:
Step 1: Develop Staff and Skills in Gen AI (DOB 5, DOB6)
Step 2: Use to Improve Internal Productivity
Step 3: Use to Improve Products, Services, and the Customer Experience (DOB2)
Here are the tools I use all day long:

ChatGPT4 with Plugins and Web Browsing
- Plugins: Show Me, Zapier, SEO Optimizer
Google Bard
Bing AI
Midjourney and Leonardo AI
AgentGPT

Other tools I am experimenting with:

Zapier
Runway ML
Opus Clips
PDF.AI
AskAI
AI Transcriptions by Riverside and Otter.ai
Docuask
Lots of ChatGPT Plugins

---—–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

GPT and Generative AI

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

OpenAI / GPT / ChatGPT
Google / Bard

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I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Yes, OpenAI and Google Will Likely Have Moats in Generative AI (164) May 09, 2023

This week’s podcast is about the generative AI foundation models of OpenAI and Google. Will they have competitive defenses? Especially against open source.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here are the two articles mentioned:

My (working) conclusions are:

Technology does not have moats. Business models have moats.
We are looking for competitive defensibility, not moats.
Adoption by dominant players with big moats that are not being impacted will be the biggest beneficiaries.
Foundation models will likely advance from early mover plus digital marathon to defensible moats in platform business models.
- Innovation platforms. These are likely. And offer a model for coexistence with open source models.
- Learning platform. It is unclear how these will evolve. They will be different than search,

-—–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

GPT and Generative AI
Innovation Platforms
Learning Platforms

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

OpenAI / GPT / ChatGPT
Google / Bard

--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

AutoGPT: The Rise of Digital Agents and Non-Human Platforms & Business Models (163) May 04, 2023

This week’s podcast is about AutoGPT / AgentGPT and how it is leading to the rise of digital agents. This will lead to the emergence of non-human platforms and business models.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
----—–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

GPT and Generative AI: AutoGPT
Zero human operations
Digital Agents
Non Human Platforms and Business Models

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

OpenAI / ChatGPT
AgentGPT

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

AutoGPT and Other Tech I Am Super Excited About (162) Apr 26, 2023

This week’s podcast is about AutoGPT / AgentGPT and two other cool new technologies.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Here are the three technologies mentioned:

5.5G and immersive and experiential video everywhere.
AutoGPT and AgentGPT.
Human organizational structure adopting software architecture.

—–---
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

GPT and Generative AI: AutoGPT

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

OpenAI / ChatGPT
AgentGPT

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why TikTok and Shein Won Internationally. And Why WeChat and Kuaishou Didn't (161). Apr 18, 2023

This week’s podcast is TikTok's international success.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Here are my three factors for succeeding internationally:
1. Has a 10x product and user experience. Plus early mover. Plus big spending (marketing, acquisitions, hiring, etc.)
2. The service is standardizable cross-border. Little need for localization and/or local services.
3. It build on advantages. Or the business builds competitive advantages and entrenches rapidly.
—–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

n/a

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

ByteDance / TikTok / Douyin
WeChat
Kuaishou
Shein
Temu / Pinduoduo

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Lessons from Huawei's 2022 Financial Report (160) Apr 06, 2023

This week’s podcast is Huawei's recent 2022 financial results and big event.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
—–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

n/a

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Huawei

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why American Citizens Must Protect TikTok (For Now) (159) Mar 29, 2023

This week’s podcast is about why Americans must protect TikTok.

TikTok is not the big and proven threat to freedom and privacy. The US Censorship Regime is.
For now, TikTok is necessary to break the censorship monopoly and restore free speech to Silicon Valley.

You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Here is the statement by TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.
Here is Glenn Greenwald's System Update
——--
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Information flows
Social media

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

TikTok
Twitter
Rumble

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

NFX’s 16 Network Effects. Plus, Embedding and Other Small Digital Stuff (158) Mar 21, 2023

This week’s podcast is about network effects, as described by James Courrier and NFX.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Here is the NFx Network Effects manual.
Here are NFX's 16 network effects, in order of strength:

Physical (e.g. landline telephones)
Protocol (e.g. Ethernet)
Personal Utility (e.g. iMessage, WhatsApp)
Personal (e.g. Facebook)
Market Network (e.g. HoneyBook, AngelList)
Marketplace (e.g. eBay, Craigslist)
Platform (e.g. Windows, iOS, Android)
Asymptotic Marketplace (e.g. Uber, Lyft)
Data (e.g. Waze, Yelp!)
Tech Performance (e.g. Bittorrent,Skype)
Language (e.g. Google, Xerox)
Belief (currencies, religions)
Bandwagon (e.g. Slack, Apple)
Expertise (Figma, Microsoft Excel)
Tribal (Apple, Harvard, NY Yankees…)
Hub-and-Spoke (TikTok, Medium, Craigslist)

——
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Network Effects
Data Advantages and Network Effects
Embedding
Bandwagon Effects

This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed

Support the show

Why Prediction and Machine Learning Are Not Competitive Advantages Yet (157) Mar 14, 2023

This week’s podcast is about machine learning and prediction as a capability.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is podcast on the intangible asset framework.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
——
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Capabilities, Resources and Assets (CRAs)
Machine learning / AI
SMILE Marathon: Machine Learning

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Dingdong, Grab and the Struggle for Profits in Ecommerce Services (156) Mar 10, 2023

This week’s podcast is about the struggle of companies like Grab, Dingdong, Meituan, Didi, GoJek and iFood to reach operating profits.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
——
Related podcasts and articles are:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Economies of Scale: Geographic and Distribution Density
Ecommerce

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Grab
Dingdong

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Peter Zeihan and Why the “China Will Collapse” Narrative Is Soooo Stupid (155) Feb 27, 2023

This week’s podcast is a rant about the common "China is going to collapse" narrative. Most recently made by Peter Zeihan on Joe Rogan.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Peter's interview with Joe on China is here.
Here is the Bank of Japan study.
Here are the two books mentioned:

———
Related podcasts and articles are:

Habits, Chemistry and Mindless Behavior As Competitive Advantages (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

n/a

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Monster Energy and How CPG Brands Can Win in Digital (154) Feb 21, 2023

This week’s podcast is about Monster Energy and my approach for winning in digital as a CPG brand.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
———
Related podcasts and articles are:

Habits, Chemistry and Mindless Behavior As Competitive Advantages (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Competitive Advantage: Share of Consumer Mind
Digital Marathon: Ecosystem / Platform Participation
CPG and FMCG

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Monster Energy

--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
I host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter detailing the strategies of the best digital businesses in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Generative AI's 5 Digital Superpowers (153) Feb 11, 2023

This week’s podcast is about more about generative Ai as a disruptive technology and business model.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
———
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Generative AI
7 Digital Superpowers

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Midjourney
Runway
OpenAI / ChatGPT

——–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
I host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter detailing the strategies of the best digital businesses in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How Generative AI Is Going to Disrupt YouTube and TikTok (152) Jan 30, 2023

This week’s podcast is about more about generative Ai as a disruptive technology and business model. My argument is it is going to disrupt many dominant platform business models - like YouTube, and TikTok.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the mentioned AI company Movio.la
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
——--
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Generative AI
AI-Powered Service Business Model

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Midjourney
OpenAI / ChatGPT
YouTube
TikTok

———–
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
I host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter detailing the strategies of the best digital businesses in the US, China and Asia.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

4 Types of Intangible Assets in Digital Businesses (151) Jan 22, 2023

This week’s podcast is about why intangible assets are so important in operations, competitive moats and valuation. They are central to digital businesses - but confusing.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the AI company Movio.la
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
McKinsey’s Framework for Intangible Assets

Innovation / Creative Assets. This is any time, effort or money spent developing intellectual property. This includes content creation, such as entertainment and artistic originals. And it includes other types of content such as mapping and user generated content. But it can also include R&D in new product development, improved customer interfaces and improved user experiences (whether digital or physical). The term “innovation capital” is a good description of these types of intangible assets, which we see frequently in digital businesses.
Digital and Analytics Assets. This is any time, effort or money spent developing, maintaining, and advancing digital assets and capabilities. This includes software, data warehouses, digital infrastructure, and other digital and data capabilities. This includes pretty much everything in the digital operating basics. It also includes CRM software, ecommerce interfaces, data analytics models and algorithms and so on. I like that they separated this as a category from intellectual property and content assets. The title “digital and analytics capital” is great.
Human and Relational Assets. This has two sub-types. This is any time, effort or money spent on:
- Building individual or organizational skills through training within an organization. So, this is your talent strategy – which includes specialist skills and capabilities but also social and emotional skills. This also includes relations and interactions within organizations, such as organizational and managerial capabilities. You can put adaptability and resilience here.
- Building ecosystems and networks external the organization is also important. This is relationships and partnerships with suppliers, complements and data partners. This is where Digital Operating Basics 4 as well as Consumption Ecosystems would go.
Brand Assets. This is any time, effort or money spent to maintain or increase brand equity. This is an important category, but the name is not great. Relationships with current and potential customers is an important intangible asset (often called brand equity). This can include capabilities that build and maintain these relationships – such as loyalty programs, promotions, and fan clubs. Customer service and churn and retention initiatives are also very important.

——---
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter detailing the strategies of the best digital businesses in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risk

Support the show

Why ChatGPT and Generative AI Are a Mortal Threat to Disney, Netflix and Most Hollywood Studios (150) Jan 19, 2023

This week’s podcast is about how generative AI is disrupting content creation. This is a major tech shift and a lot of big incumbents (such as Netflix and Disney) are going to be impacted.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
Generative AI companies to try:

OpenAI / ChatGPT
OpenAI / DALL-E
Midjourney
Synthesia
AIVA
Lexica
Wellsaidlabs

5 Winners in Generative AI

Specific, niche content creators, usually based on people. Such as sports content, game shows, and reality TV. Also, some creators with do very but will follow a power law.
Content production tied to community or services
Audience builder platforms
Learning platforms
Creator tools providers with standardization Network Effects, such as Adobe.

2 Likely Losers in Generative AI

Content publishers. These intermediaries (such as book publishers) don't have much of a role unless they unless they control demand or distribution.
Stand alone content creators. Content can be created in house and purchased. They will struggle with coming wave of high-quality, free content. That’s Disney, Netflix, most tv studios. Basically, any business that has been relying on scale in content creation. Economies of scale in content production disappearing - especially in animation. Barriers to entry are going away. Companies like Disney and Netflix needs to become audience builder platforms ASAP. They need to expand from mass market to micro markets.

——-
Related articles:

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

4 Rules for CPG Brands Going Digital. Lessons from AB InBev, Nike, and Zé Delivery. (149) Jan 01, 2023

This week’s podcast is about how consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies can go digital. It's my 4 basic rules to get going.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the China Tech Tour.
My 4 Rules for CPG Brands going Digital

Focus on DOB3. You need to digitize the core. This is easier in CPG as it's mostly about marketing. The hard part is creating the connection with the consumer. AB InBev did this by creating its own app and delivery service. You can use services like Shopify and JD Logistics.
Do DOB4 as early you can. You want to connect with other parties, such as complements and retailers. This is mostly about sharing data early on. Collaborations in product development, operations and R&D may come later.
Commit to Ecosystem / Platform Participation as your SMILE marathon long-term. You have to become a master at engaging with the major ecommerce, social media and video platforms. Even Nike can’t do it all direct. This is usually about developing talent early on.
Build moats and competitive advantages as you can. These will mostly be by consumer capture.

——-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

DOB3: Digital Core for Management and Operations
DOB4: Connectedness, Interoperability and Collaboration-Based Business Models.
SMILE Marathon: Ecosystem / Platform Orchestration or Participation

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

AB InBev / Ze Delivery
Nike
CPG

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
I host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter detailing the strategies of the best digital businesses in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

My Valuation for Microsoft (148) Dec 21, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Microsoft and how I approach its valuation.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the Asia Tech Tour.
——----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Valuation (Question 3): Digital Valuation
Valuation: Bird in Hand vs. Bush
Valuation: Growth, ROIC/RONIC and Value

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Microsoft

-------
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Mercado Libre vs. Magazine Luiza / Magalu in Brazil is an Awesome Strategy Question (147) Dec 13, 2022

This week’s podcast is about the two leading and well-run ecommerce companies in Brazil: Magazine Luiza / Magalu and Mercado Libre. Both companies have compelling but different business models. It is an interesting strategy question.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the Asia Tech Tour.
--——
Related articles:

What is Elon Musk’s Plan to 10x Twitter? (2 of 2) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Marketplace platforms
Online-Merge-Offline (OMO) / New Retail

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Mercado Libre
Magazine Luiza / Magalu

———-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

ChatGPT and the New Machine Human Interface (146) Dec 05, 2022

This week’s podcast is about the arrival of ChatGPT, which is stunning people everywhere with its content generation.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the Asia Tech Tour.
Here is the link to ChatGPT
Here is the past article on Conversation AI at JD:

3 Lessons in Conversational AI from JD’s Head of the Deep Learning (1 of 2)

--——

What is Elon Musk’s Plan to 10x Twitter? (2 of 2) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

AI as Cheap and Fast Prediction
AI: NLP

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

OpenAI

———-

Support the show

Elon Musk's Strategy for Twitter is to Supercharge Performance - And Then 10x the Product (145) Nov 15, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Elon Musk's take-over and turn-around of Twitter. Lots of cool lessons in what he has done in the first 3 weeks.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is the link to the Asia Tech Tour.
——

What is Elon Musk’s Plan to 10x Twitter? (2 of 2) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Audience-Builder Platform with Connected Users
Digital Operating Basics
Social media

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Twitter

———-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why Most Incumbents Should Forget About Platforms and Build Consumption Ecosystems (144) Nov 09, 2022

This week’s podcast is Production and Consumption Ecosystems as digital business models. This thinking is mostly by Professor Mohan Subramaniam, who wrote the book The Future of Competitive Strategy: Unleashing the Power of Data and Digital Ecosystems.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
My 9 digital business models are:

Linear business models (i.e., pipelines)
Production Ecosystems
Consumption Ecosystems
Company Ecosystems
Platforms
Pipeline plus Platform Business Model
Protocol networks (i.e., blockchains) as stand-alone businesses
Platform-protocol hybrids
Protocol ecosystems (i.e., building blocks)

---—-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Production and Consumption Ecosystems
DOB4: Connectedness Interoperability and Collaboration Based Business Models
Platform Types: Coordination, Collaboration and Standardization

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Haier

———-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What Grab Can Learn from Amazon About Growth - and Not From Meta (143) Oct 31, 2022

This week’s podcast is Grab's growth initiatives, which are critical for getting to operating profits. They also provide a case for talking about core vs. adjacency growth.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Grab's compelling growth initiatives include:

New Services for Consumers
GrabUnlimited
Cross-Selling
Advertising
Financial Services

Most of this is a summary of work by Chris Zook at Bain’s strategy practice. I am citing the books:

Most all sustainable growth is based on 1-2 strong cores.

A profitable core is centered on the strongest position in terms of loyal customers, competitive advantage, unique skills, and ability to earn profits.
- My list for strong cores are growth / market, competitive advantage and attractive unit economics.
Adapting the core can be:
- New products / services
- New customers – microsegments
- New geographies
- New businesses.

Six growth adjacencies:

New customer segments:
New geographies
New channels
New products
New Businesses
New value chain steps

How to assess an adjacency move:

Factor 1: Adjacency is tightly tied to a strong core.
Factor 2: An attractive adjacency market in terms of profit pools
Factor 3: The ability to capture economic leadership in that market.

Digital adjacencies are moderate, relentless expansions versus big trees.
——-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Growth: Core vs. Adjacency
Growth: Explore vs. Exploit

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Grab

———-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Inves

Support the show

Lessons in Purchasing Economies from Costco, JD and Pinduoduo (142) Oct 23, 2022

This week’s podcast is about economies of scale in purchasing power. I go through Walmart and Costco as traditional examples. And point to JD, Apple, and Pinduoduo as digital examples.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here are types of economies of scale.

CA11: Fixed Operating and Capital Costs
CA12: Purchasing Economies and Bargaining Power with Suppliers
- Larger companies can demand cheaper prices and/or better terms from suppliers than their smaller competitors. This is about bargaining power for important and/or sizeable inputs
CA13: Geographic and Distribution Density
CA14: Geometry Effect
CA15: Learning Scale

Cases of purchasing economies

Newsfeed of offers plus C2M results in purchasing economies. Pinduoduo.
Privileged technology access by Apple
Purchasing economies. This was JD's biggest lever.
Platform business models power over suppliers.

——-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Competitive Advantage: Purchasing Economies and Bargaining Power with Suppliers

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

JD
Pinduoduo
Walmart
Costco

----------
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Snowflake, Alibaba and My 3 Favorite Cloud Business Models (141) Oct 13, 2022

This week’s podcast is about cloud business models. It's a complicated and evolving subject. But I am trying to identify good cloud business models that aren't obvious (like AWS, Azure and Google Cloud). Alibaba Cloud and Snowflake are examples.
You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here are four sub-types of Coordination Platforms.

Communication. Zoom, Slack, etc.
Data Intelligence. Snowflake and Confluent.
Team Projects. Manual and complicated projects like architecture, media creation, software development.
Operational Automation.

Here are cloud business models I like:

Innovation platforms
Coordination platforms (especially when combined with innovation platforms).
Vertical solutions

———-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Platforms: Coordination
Platforms: Innovation
Cloud services

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Alibaba Cloud
Snowflake

——–
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.

This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Strategy Questions for Magazine Luiza / Magalu in Brazil (140) Oct 05, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Magazine Luiza / Magalu and how they ended up as the pioneers of online-merge-offline (OMO) in Brazil retail. It’s a fascinating business model.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here are my three strategy questions about Magalu:

Big Question #1: Will Magalu Become an "Ultimate B2C Marketplace"?
Big Question #2: Will Magalu go full OMO? Will they be more aggressive in retail formats?
Big Question #3: Will Magalu go full "infrastructure of commerce"?

----------
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

OMO / New Retail
Infrastructure of Commerce
Brazil

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Magazine Luiza / Magalu

--------
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How AB InBev and Zé Delivery Are Changing Ecommerce in Beverages (139) Sep 26, 2022

This week’s podcast is about AB InBev's rapidly rising beverage delivery service Ze Delivery. I visited the facilities and spoke with CEO Rudolfo Chung. It's a fascinating business model.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
——–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Linked businesses
Geographic density

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Ze Delivery
Ab InBev
iFood

——-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Big Digital Changes in Retail and Ecommerce (138) Sep 16, 2022

This week’s podcast is about important digital changes happening in ecommerce and retail, and that are mostly coming out of China / Asia.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.

—----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Operating Basics 2: Digital Core
Digital Operating Basics 3: Personalization and Customer Improvements

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

——--
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Steam, Garena and Specialty Gaming Business Models (137) Sep 06, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Steam and Garena, which are good examples of specialty gaming businesses.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here are my criteria for specialty ecommerce businesses.

Is the company sufficiently differentiated in the user experience?
Can the company compete and/or differentiate in logistics or infrastructure without ongoing spending?
Does the company have a strong competitive advantage in a circumscribed market?
Is there a clear path to significant operational cash flow?
Has the company avoided markets and situations that are attractive or strategic for the major ecommerce companies?

---—-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Marketplace Platforms
Innovation and Audience Builder Platforms
Specialty Gaming Businesses
Gaming and Game Engines

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Garena
Steam / Valve

---——
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why I Don't Like Netflix, Singapore Press and Most Digital Content Businesses (136) Aug 27, 2022

This week’s podcast is about digital content businesses, which are entirely digital economics. They can have great economics but absolutely need a moat.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Three digital content strategies I do like are:

Network effects with long-tail of UGC. Such as YouTube and TikTok.
Creates durable IP. Such as Disney.
Service and community businesses that uses content.

——-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Economics of Digital / Information
Soft Advantages: Bundling and Cross-Selling
Digital Operating Basics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Singapore Press Holding

———-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why Economies of Scale Is Still the Default Digital Strategy (135) Aug 18, 2022

This week’s podcast is about economies of scale - and why it is still the standard strategy. Especially in specialized areas and niche markets.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.

-----
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Lessons in Digital Operating Basics 5 and 6 from Majid Al Futtaim (134) Aug 05, 2022

This week’s podcast is about the human capital part of the digital operating basics. Specifically, DOB5: Leadership and management and DOB6: People, Culture and Teams. Middle Eastern retailer is a good example of a company that has been focusing on this area.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
—––
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Operating Performance = Smarter, Faster, Better
DOB5: Leadership and Management
DOB6: People, Culture and Teams

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Majid Al Futtaim

——-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The 5 Important Concepts of Web3 (133) Jul 28, 2022

This week’s podcast is about web3 strategy and business models. It's a big confusing and still evolving space. But I think there are 5 really important concepts to understand (in terms of strategy).
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
—––
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Protocol Networks (Blockchain) with Property Rights
Composability
Value Creation vs. Value Distribution
Points of Control
Token economics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Ethereum
Bitcoin

——-

Support the show

Powerful New Digital Business Models by Walgreens and Ping An Good Doctor (132) Jul 19, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Walgreens and Ping An Good Doctor. Both are using digital tools to create entirely new business models in healthcare. And both look like they have real strengths, if successful. I also mention CVS health.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
—––
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Economies of Scale
6 Digital Superpowers
AI as a Capability
Learning Platforms

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Walgreens
Ping An Good Doctor

-------
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Amazon, Tencent and When Rate of Learning Becomes a Competitive Advantage (131) Jul 08, 2022

This week’s podcast is about rate of learning as a concept. That is the digital version of what was originally called the learning curve and the experience effect. Rate of learning has gone from an important idea in production-intensive products to a digital requirement. But the key question is when does rate of learning become a competitive advantage? This podcast is my answer.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
—–--
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Learning Curve and Experience Effect
SMILE Marathon: Rate of Learning and Adaptation
CA7: Rate of Learning and Process Cost Advantages

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Amazon
Tencent

-------
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What Xiaomi Can Learn About Strategy from Apple and Amazon (130) Jun 29, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Xiaomi and ongoing strategy changes and moves. This is a good case for my 6 levels of digital competition. It takes apart the situation fairly effectively. And Apple and Amazon provide good counter-examples.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
—–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

6 Levels of Digital Competition
SMILE Marathon

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Xiaomi
Amazon
Apple

——-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Get Ready for Alipay+ and Ant Group 2.0 (129) Jun 21, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Alipay+, which is Ant's new international payment initiative. But it is also about the return of Ant Group after 2 years in restructuring. I call that Ant 2.0.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
——–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Economics: Bundling
Payment Platforms

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Ant Financial / Alipay+
Stone
Square

---------
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why GE Failed in Digital (For Now) (128) Jun 12, 2022

This week’s podcast is about GE and their big digital transformation initiative from 2011-2018. However, I am not a GE expert by any stretch. I am just presenting a very simplified version of their digital initiatives (from case studies) for a discussion about digital transformation.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here's my playbook for the digital transformation of an incumbent.

70% Digital Operating Basics
25% Moats
5% Tactics

——–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Transformation
Industrial Internet / IIoT
Digital Operating Basics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

GE

——-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Can Elon Musk Fix Twitter and Save Civilization? (127) Jun 03, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Elon Musk's attempted purchase of Twitter. But it is really about how the control and curation of information flows how become a key issue in the digital age. The lack of effective curation at scale has become a major problem in society. Elon Musk may be the person to finally fix this.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
——--
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Information Flows
Interaction Failure and Curation at Scale

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Twitter

——-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Two Frameworks for Predicting Tech Disruption (126) May 24, 2022

This week’s podcast is about digital disruption. It's a big and difficult topic for management teams. And it usually leads to discussion about innovation. Here are 2-3 frameworks for how to think about it.
Correction: I said Daily Mail in the podcast. I meant Daily Journal.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Andreesen-Horowitz's 4 Stages of Disruption

Disruption of incumbent
Rapid and linear evolution
Appealing convergence
Complete reimagination

My standard disruption questions:

Impact: Is the impact on my 6 levels predictable?
Probability: How how is it for management to hard to pull off this strategy?

---—
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Sustaining vs. Disruptive Innovation / Clayton Christensen
Andreesen-Horowitz's 4 stages of disruption

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Barnes and Noble
Daily Journal

——-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also host US-Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of the best digital companies in the US, China and Asia.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Amazon's Moat in Ecommerce is Growing. But Falling in Video. Just Like for Netflix. (125) May 07, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Amazon's competitive advantages. We can see clearly growing moats in ecommerce. But increasing competition is revealing the lack of defenses in video streaming. Netflix has the same problem.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
The mentioned graphics are here.
——
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Economies of Scale: Purchasing Economies
Economies of Scale: Fixed Costs
Digital Operating Basics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Amazon
Netflix

——-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What Amazon Should Copy From Alibaba and Pinduoduo (124) Apr 22, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Amazon vs. Alibaba and Pinduoduo. There are some important strategy differences between the ecommerce leaders in the US and China.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
——
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Economies of Scale: Purchasing Economies
Economies of Scale: Fixed Costs
Linked Businesses

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Amazon
Alibaba
Pinduoduo

——-
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.

This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Will GoTo "Win it All" in Indonesia? (123) Apr 13, 2022

This week’s podcast is newly public GoTo, which is an interesting business model combining a platform for products (Tokopedia) with one for services (Gojek).
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
—----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Complementary Platforms
Digital-Physical Hybrids
Barriers to Entry

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

GoTo / Gojek / Tokopedia

-----
I write, speak and consult about digital strategy and transformation.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Don't Underestimate Growth Plus the Digital Operating Basics (122) Apr 04, 2022

This week’s podcast is about combining two previously covered topics: growth and the digital operating basics. This can be surprisingly powerful.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Most of the growth thinking is a summary of work by Chris Zook at Bain’s strategy practice. I am citing the books:

He argues most all sustainable growth is based on 1-2 strong cores that continually adapt.

A profitable core is centered on the strongest position in terms of loyal customers, competitive advantage, unique skills, and ability to earn profits.
Adapting the core can be:
- New products / services
- New customers – microsegments
- New geographies
- New businesses.

Then add growth adjacencies. To assess an adjacency move:

Factor 1: Adjacency is tightly tied to a strong core.
Factor 2: An attractive adjacency market in terms of profit pools
Factor 3: The ability to capture economic leadership in that market. Competitive advantage as an attacker and then an incumbent.

Growth + DOB can sometimes get you the dream scenario:

Grow the revenue line.
Increase gross profits. An expanding margin with size.
Increase operating leverage with increasing scale. This is more about going for scale.
Invest in R&D, tech and infrastructure. This will result in a better user experience and improve operating efficiency.
1. Drive efficiencies and increase monetization.
2. Improve the user experience.
3. Expand the products and services in high growth areas.
Do targeted M&A. To increase innovation and protect against disruption.

-----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Growth: Core vs. Adjacency
Digital Operating Basics
DOB7: Sustainable Cash Engine that Scales

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

-------

Support the show

Will Southeast Asian Grab Become Meituan or Didi? (121) Mar 26, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Southeast Asian tech giant Grab, its impressive execution and its chronic unprofitability.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

—–-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Complementary Platforms
Marketplace Platform for Services
SE Asia
Engagement Products vs. Margin Products
Economies of Scale: Geographic Density

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Grab Holdings

--------
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why Uniswap's Protocol Is a Threat to Coinbase's PPH Marketplace (120) Mar 12, 2022

This week’s podcast is about how web 3.0 is creating three types of marketplaces:

Digital platforms (web 2.0), such as a Taobao
Platform-protocol hybrids, such as Coinbase
Protocol networks, such as Uniswap

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

—–-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Marketplace Platforms
Protocol Networks
Platform-Protocol Hybrids (PPH)

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Coinbase
Uniswap

---
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

An Intro to Customer Capture as a Competitive Advantage in Digital (119) Mar 02, 2022

This week’s podcast is about customer capture as a competitive advantage. And how digital is really changing this type of moat.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

---—–
From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

CA1: Share of Consumer Mind, Share of User Mind and User Capture
Competitive Advantages

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

---------
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Alibaba, WeChat and How Nike Won as a Platform Participant in China (118) Feb 18, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Nike in China. But it really about how you win as a participant in large platform businesses in ecommerce and social media.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

---—–
From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Complments
SMILE Marathon: Ecosystem Orchestration or Participation
DOB4

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Nike

-------------
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Coinbase and How Web 3.0 Is Different (117) Feb 06, 2022

This week’s podcast is about web 3.0. I view most successful web 3.0 companies like Coinbase as platform-protocol hybrids.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
------
From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Protocol Networks
Platform-Protocol Hybrids / Web 3.0

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Coinbase

-------
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

5 Predictions for Nubank 2.0 (116) Jan 25, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Nubank, Brazil's rapidly rising digital bank.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

Here are my 5 predictions for Nubank 2.0
#1: Nubank Could Offer Asset-Lite Credit Services
#2: Nubank Could Create a Complementary Marketplace Platform for Investment and Insurance Products
#3: Nubank Will Go Cross-Border and Offer a Growing Suite of Financial Services Products
#4: Nubank Could Launch Mini-Programs within the Payments App
#5: Nubank Could Externalize Financial Cloud Services
---——
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Payment Platforms
Complementary Platforms

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Nubank

——–——
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How Digital Is Wrecking Havoc on Barriers to Entry (115) Jan 16, 2022

This week’s podcast is about Barriers to Entry, which is one of my 6 levels of competition.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

Most of my favorite businesses have key operating assets that can’t be easily built, bought, or transferred. This turns out to be an interesting list. Think about:

Reputation, loyalty, and love.
Personal customer relationships.
Intellectual property, creative activities, and rare technical abilities.
Certain technologies, scientific capabilities, and trade secrets.
Certain physical assets.
Physical and digital networks.

--——
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

6 Levels of Competition
Barriers to Entry
Cost Timing and Difficulty of Entry?

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

-———
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
My book Moats and Marathons details how to measure competitive advantage in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Two Big Questions About SenseTime and AI Software Business Models (114) Jan 06, 2022

This week’s podcast is about SenseTime, which is a leader in computer vision in China / Asia. It's a fascinating company for looking at the evolving business models of AI software. The two big questions are:

What are the unit economics of large AI companies?
What types of scale advantages and network effects do large AI companies?

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

I break the network effects question into three sub-questions:

Do existing AI models get better the more they are used?
- How much? Does it flatline? Does it keep increasing?
Do existing AI models make each other smarter and better?
Do existing AI models and the data they collect make additional AI models smarter? Do they make them faster and cheaper to train?

My working for conclusions are:

This is mostly an integrated software bundle going for global scale.
It's a learning platform with a new type of network effect.
It is building an innovation platform, with another network effect.

——---
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Learning Platforms
Integrated Bundles
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Vision

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

SenseTime

-------
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Huawei's 4 Big Thailand Projects. My Interview with CEO Abel Deng. (113) Dec 29, 2021

This week’s podcast is about my discussion with Abel Deng, the CEO of Huawei Thailand. And about how the next generation of digital infrastructure is developing in SE Asia.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

-———
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Role of the State
Economies of Scale
SMILE Marathon: Sustained Innovation

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Huawei

———-

Support the show

Snowflake, Confluent and 4 Types of Coordination Platforms (112) Dec 20, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Snowflake and Confluent. But the main topic is how to think about coordination, collaboration and standardization (CCS) platform business models. And the 4 types of these platforms.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

I’ve now started breaking this into 4 sub-types of CCS platforms. They are:

Communication. Zoom, Slack, etc.
Data Intelligence. Snowflake and Confluent.
Team Projects. Manual and complicated projects like architecture, media creation, software development.
Operational Automation.

---——
Related articles:

Part 2: Snowflake is Building 3 Complementary Platforms with 4 Network Effects (Pt 2 of 3) (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Hierarchies of Control
Coordination, Collaboration and Standardization (CCS) Platforms
Enterprise B2B

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Snowflake
Confluent

----------
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Kroger and Part 2 on the External View and Base Rates (111) Dec 10, 2021

This week’s podcast is about the external view and the importance of base rates. Berkshire-invested Kroger supermarkets is a good example of a company that can really be viewed externally.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book:

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

Common metrics for base rates:

Sales growth
Gross profitability (gross profits / assets)
Operating leverage. Change in operating profits relative to change in sales.
Operating profit margin
Earnings growth
CFROI

Here is the McKinsey book Beyond the Hockey Stick.
———
Related articles:

What Ant Financial Tells Us About the Future of Square. Plus, Why The External View Is So Hard in Digital. (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 61)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

External vs. Internal View
Regression to the Mean (average / base rates, rate of regression)

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Kroger

---------—-
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

An Intro to ANE Logistics and Franchised Physical Networks (110) Dec 02, 2021

This week’s podcast is about ANE Logistics, which is a compelling business model for digitizing and consolidating less than truckload logistics in China.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book (released December 1):

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

My questions for ANE Logistics:

Does a franchised logistics network with digital connectivity lower the barrier to entry?
What happens when the volume is greater a network with the same number of nodes and linkages as another?
What happens when the geographic density is increased? More nodes and / or more linkages.

---------
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Networks vs. Platforms vs. Network Effects
Franchised Networks
Logistics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

ANE Logistics

-———-
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Berkshire-Invested Stone Co Has Now Dropped +80% in 2021 (109) Nov 25, 2021

This week’s podcast is Brazilian Stone Company (STNE), the Berkshire Hathaway-invested payment platform that has fallen in share price by +80%.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book (released December 1):

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

——-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Payment Platforms
Digital-Physical Hybrid

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Stone Company

------

Support the show

Tuya and How to Predict the Winners in Specialty Enterprise (108) Nov 18, 2021

This week’s podcast is about how to assess specialty companies within enterprise software and services. And about Tuya, which an interesting example of a specialty B2B play.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book (released December 1):

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

Here are my 5 questions (thus far) for assessing the viability of a specialty ecommerce company.

Is the company sufficiently differentiated in the user experience? Or did they just get there first?
Can the company compete and/or differentiate in logistics or infrastructure without ongoing spending?
Does the company have a strong competitive advantage in a circumscribed market?
Is there a clear path to significant operational cash flow?
Has the company avoided markets and situations that are attractive or strategic for the major ecommerce companies?

Here are my 5 questions (thus far) for assessing the viability of a specialty enterprise company.

Is the company sufficiently differentiated in the user experience? Or did they just get there first?
Can the company compete and/or differentiate in sales / marketing or R&D without ongoing spending?
Does the company have a strong competitive advantage in a circumscribed market?
Is there a clear path to significant operational cash flow?
Has the company avoided markets and situations that are attractive or strategic for the major enterprise companies?
1. Pay attention to hierarchies of control.

—----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Hierarchy of Control
Enterprise Specialty

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Tuya

----------—-
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

7 Things Everyone Is Getting Wrong About Alibaba Singles' Day (107) Nov 10, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Alibaba and Singles' Day. Just my thoughts on what really matters.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book (released December 1):

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

My list of 7 things people are getting wrong about Singles' Day:

Business model is about building demand-side scale. This is also about economies of scale as a relative advantage.
Operating model is about user-facing innovation that adds value.
Consumer facing innovation is likely about live-streaming, metaverse and NFTs.
Merchant-facing innovation is likely about R&D and financing.
Physical assets have traditionally been about supply-side scale and building a barrier to entry.
Alibaba is also separating supply side into a new business that is the "new infrastructure of commerce".
Singles Day is both a moonshot program and a yearly stress test for the company.

Here are the Digital Operating Basics.
Here is the Alibaba slides for adding value to merchants.
—----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Operating Basics: DOB2 Never-Ending Personalization and Customer Improvement
Network Effects - Demand side Economies of Scale
Ecommerce

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Alibaba

-------
I write and speak about digital competition and China / Asia’s leading tech companies.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Snowflake, Tuya and the Fight for Dominant Design in Cloud (106) Nov 02, 2021

This week’s podcast is more about Snowflake, the “data ecosystem” company. And how multiple companies are competing to create the standards and architecture for cloud services.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book (released December 1):

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

---—-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Innovation: Dominant Design
Innovation: Increasing Returns to Tech Adoption
Cloud Services

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Snowflake
Tuya

-----------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What Everyone is Getting Wrong About Snowflake (105) Oct 26, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Snowflake, the "data ecosystem" company. It is one of the most compelling digital business models out there. It is one of the few companies that could become the next Google or Microsoft.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my new book (released December 1):

Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

A summary of the Digital Operating Basics:

Scale and growth and small incremental cost.
Personalization.
A digital core for operations.
Ecosystem and connectedness.
People, culture and work design form a social engine that enables innovation and execution personalized for each customer.
Operational cash flow.

Here is a previous podcast on that.

Lessons in Digital Operating Basics from Ram Charan. Part 1 of 2 on “Rethinking Competitive Advantage”. (Asia Tech Strategy – Podcast 98)

---—-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Complementary Platforms
Digital Operating Basics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Snowflake

---------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Core vs. Adjacency Growth in Digital Businesses (104) Oct 19, 2021

This week’s podcast is about core vs. adjacency growth. This is a good framework for thinking about growth in digital businesses.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Most of this is a summary of work by Chris Zook at Bain's strategy practice. I am citing the books:

Most all sustainable growth is based on 1-2 strong cores.

A profitable core is centered on the strongest position in terms of loyal customers, competitive advantage, unique skills, and ability to earn profits.

Six growth adjacencies:

New customer segments:
- Micro-segmentation of current segments
- Unpenetrated segments
- New segments
New geographies
- Global expansion
- Local expansion
New channels
- Internet
- Distribution
- Indirect
New products
- New to world
- Complements
- Support services
- Next generation
- Just new products / services
New Businesses
- New to world needs
- New substitutes
- New models
- Capability adjacencies
New value chain steps
- Forward integration
- Backwards integration
- Sell capability to outside

How to assess an adjacency move:

Factor 1: Adjacency is tightly tied to a strong core.
Factor 2: An attractive adjacency market in terms of profit pools
Factor 3: The ability to capture economic leadership in that market. Competitive advantage as an attacker and then an incumbent.

—----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Growth: Core vs. Adjacency
Digital Operating Basics

——-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Info Dictators and Why Mark Zuckerberg Will Choose the Next President (103) Oct 12, 2021

This week’s podcast is about how digital impacts society, business, news and politics. And how centralized planning might be the best solution in a digital world.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
----—
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Coordination and Transaction Costs
Ecosystems vs. Platforms vs. Networks
Theory of the Firm

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

------------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Growth, ROIC / RONIC and Growth + Sales in Digital Valuation (102) Oct 04, 2021

This week’s podcast is about growth and how it relates to value and valuation. ROIC vs. RONIC is an important part of separating past and continuing value.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
—----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Valuation
Growth, ROIC/RONIC and Value
Growth + Sales

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

--------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why DCF Sucks for Digital Valuation. (101) Sep 28, 2021

This week’s podcast is about how to apply DCF in valuations of digital companies.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
For the tennis ball story and DCF details, here are the slides.
–----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Valuation: Digital
Discounted Cash Flow

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How Hillhouse Capital Invests In and Digitizes Chinese Companies. (100) Sep 19, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Hillhouse Capital and how they are buying and digitizing Chinese and increasingly Asian companies. I talk about their deals with Belle and Gree.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my summary of digital operating basics (Dr. Ram’s book combined with some of my own thinking):

Scale and growth at small incremental cost.
Continuous personalization and customer-facing innovation.
A digital core for operations.
Ecosystem and connectedness
People, culture and work design create a social engine that enables innovation and execution – increasingly personalized for each customer.
Money-making at scale makes the company sustainable. It enables continuous innovation, including big bets where the ability to withstand losses is important.

The picture I use to summarize Value Point is shown here.
---—–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Operating Basics
Value Point (Ques 7)

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Hillhouse Capital Group
Belle
Topsport International Holdings
Gree Electric

——-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

More Lessons in Digital Operating Basics from Ram Charan. Part 2 of 2 on “Rethinking Competitive Advantage”. (99) Sep 12, 2021

This week’s podcast is my second on Ram Charan’s new book “Rethinking Competition Advantage“. I think it has a lot of great insights about the basics of digital operations.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my summary of digital operating basics (Dr. Ram’s book combined with some of my own thinking):

Scale and growth at small incremental cost.
Continuous personalization and customer-facing innovation.
A digital core for operations.
Ecosystem and connectedness.
People, culture and work design create a social engine that enables innovation and execution – increasingly personalized for each customer.
Money-making at scale makes the company sustainable. It enables continuous innovation, including big bets where the ability to withstand losses is important.

—–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Operating Basics

------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Lessons in Digital Operating Basics from Ram Charan. Part 1 of 2 on “Rethinking Competitive Advantage”. (98) Sep 06, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Ram Charan's new book "Rethinking Competition Advantage". I think it has a lot of great insights about the basics of digital operations. But not much about competitive advantage.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here is my interpretation of the book's digital operating basics:

A personalized consumer experience is key to continued growth. Continually innovating on the consumer experience enables cross-selling more and more products and services to a broad audience. A "market of one" is the ultimate personalization.
Companies need a digital core for operations. Algorithms and data are essential weapons.
A company needs an ecosystem. Every major player needs at least 10 partners for sharing data, meeting a range of consumer preferences, growing faster than it otherwise could and continually refreshing with technology and innovation.
Companies need powerful moneymaking models. Target a big opportunity and increase cash gross margin by innovation and cost reductions over time. Fund multiple experiments against consumer experience. Add revenue streams on the same digital core.
People, culture and work design form a social engine that enables innovation and execution personalized for each customer. Decision-making is designed for innovation and speed.

—–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Operating Basics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Pinduoduo, Etsy, and OTC: How Specialty Ecommerce Can Thrive Against the Giants. (97) Aug 29, 2021

This week’s podcast is about assessing specialty ecommerce companies (i.e,. the anteaters) vs. the ecommerce giants (i.e,. the lions). Which will survive? Which will thrive?
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
Here are my 5 questions (thus far) for assessing the viability of a specialty ecommerce company.

Is the company sufficiently differentiated in the user experience?
Can the company compete and/or differentiate in logistics or infrastructure without ongoing spending?
Does the company have a strong competitive advantage in a circumscribed market?
Is there a clear path to significant operational cash flow?
Has the company avoided markets and situations that are attractive or strategic for the major ecommerce companies?
Addendum: Don’t overestimate first mover, virality or growth hacks.

Here's my assessment of various specialty ecommerce companies:

Thriving:
- Etsy – huge suite of unique products for mass market by capturing unique merchants.
- Oriental Trading Company – unique product for niche market by unique logistics.
- Pinduoduo - engagement driven ecommerce.
Survive, but questionable:
- Global-e – cross border logistics
I'm not optimistic:
- Dingdong
- Farfetch
Situations that may be overestimating first mover, virality or growth hacks.
- Delivery Hero:
- Shein

——--
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Specialty Ecommerce
Interactive and Engagement-Focused Ecommerce

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Etsy
Oriental Trading Company
Pinduoduo

---------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What Worries Me About Alibaba Long-Term (96) Aug 22, 2021

This week’s podcast is about the recent political issues around China tech and Alibaba in particular.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
——
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Role of the State
Uncertainty Investing Approaches

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Alibaba

———
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

4 Reasons Why Didi and Ctrip Should Merge (95) Aug 15, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Ctrip, Didi and their current situation as subscale services marketplaces in China.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
4 Reasons Didi and Ctrip should merge:

They are both subscale in B2C digital China
Both are exposed. And industry barriers in services are shifting and falling.
They are complementary in terms of users, usage, data and cash flow.
Meituan is coming. It is likely it will enter ride-sharing, just like it did in accommodations.

—---
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Indirect Network Effects
Marketplace Platform for Services

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Ctrip
Didi

------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

China Discussion with Kevin O'Leary. Plus Foodpanda, Digital Basics and the Standard Digital Playbook. (94) Aug 09, 2021

This week’s podcast is about how to profit from political involvement in China tech. But really it is about how to think systematically about the role of the State. And about how to benefit from the State as the mother-of-all catalysts.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Here is the marketing material for OShares OGIGX.

OGIGX Index Presentation 2021Q2- June 2021 end

Here is the Standard Digital Playbook:

Target a 10x or 100x market opportunity.
Grow users and revenue.
Capture and grow cash gross margin. Not the %. The cash.
Flood cash into new revenue streams and innovation to improve the user experience.

That playbook is all about building a digital business on the demand side. It is about identifying a big opportunity and then systematically improving the consumer experience and going after related consumer problems.
However, this also usually results in negative operating profits until sufficient scale is reached. The gross profits are positive but the operating profits are negative. Often for a long time. However, with increasing scale the operating leverage eventually kicks in and the big profits are revealed.
Here is a list for the Digital Basics:

Growth and Scale
Digital Core
Ecosystem, Connectedness and Coordination-Based Business Models
Leadership and Management
People, Culture and Talent
Operating Cash Flow. The Cash Engine.

——-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Basics
Digital Playbook (Standard)

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Delivery Hero / Foodpanda

——–
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky.

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How to Profit from Politics in China Tech (93) Aug 04, 2021

This week’s podcast is about how to profit from political involvement in China tech. But really it is about how to think systematically about the role of the State. And about how to benefit from the State as the mother-of-all catalysts.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Ways to profit from State involvement:

Ride the big waves from top-down initiatives
Copy Cheah Chang Hye (Value Partners). Buy and sell unfollowed and obscure China bargains.
Demand a bigger margin of safety
Buy and sell fast (Ben Graham).
Buy quantitative certainties (Ben Graham).
Buy great companies and hold long-term (Philip Fisher).

—----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Role of the State
Giants, Dwarves and the State
Catalysts

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Suntech
Cheah Cheng Hye / Value Partners

--------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How to Assess Political Risk in China Tech (92) Jul 26, 2021

This week’s podcast is about political risk in China tech, but really it is about how to think systematically about the role of the State. And about making investment decisions on uncertain terrains.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Here are five investment approaches to uncertain environments.

Stay out.
Buy and sell fast.
Focus on quantitative certainties. Tangible assets.
Focus on really great businesses. And qualitative factors. Buy and hold through tough times.
Demand a bigger margin of safety.

How to assess the role of the State and political risk:

Question 1: Does the State have an active role in this sector?
- If so, don’t go forward until you can understand it. It is one of three key forces.
- If no role, then you can view this with a typical industry approach.
Question 2: If there is an active role, what are the State’s interests? What is the evidence for this?
- Is it actively supporting?
- Is it against against rapid or significant development?
- Is it just muddy and mixed?
Ques 3: If it is actively supporting, then ask how this firm is advancing the State’s interests? How is it working with govt? That is the main thing that matters.

About Giants, Dwarves and the State. See my webpage link.
----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Role of the State
Giants, Dwarves and the State

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Philip Fisher
Ben Graham

--------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Lessons from Warren Buffett on Compounding and Competitive Advantage (91) Jul 21, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Warren Buffett and combining competitive advantage with compounding.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Slides are on my webpage.
—–—
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Compounding
Competitive Advantage

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Warren Buffett / Berkshire Hathaway

-------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Can Dingdong Win in Groceries and Specialty Ecommerce? (90) Jul 13, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Dingdong, a specialty ecommerce player in China focused on fresh groceries. It has gone public while still operating profit negative - but brings to mind a similar situation with Meituan at IPO.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
—–---
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Purchasing Economies
Economies of Scale - Geographic Density
Explore and Exploit

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Dingdong

———
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Truck Alliance’s Fight to Build Complicated Network Effects (89) Jul 05, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Full Truck Alliance, a B2B marketplace platform for freight and cargo. There are a lot of lessons on the difficulties and complexities of matching, pricing and network effects for more complicated services.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Here are the pages from the F-1 filing I mentioned.
Questions for simple network effects:

Local vs. regional vs. international network effects?
Fast vs. slow network effects?
Directionality of interactions (Facebook vs. Twitter)?
Degree vs. value of connections?
Minimum viable scale vs. asymptotic scale?
What is congestion / saturation / degradation scale?
Linear vs. exponential growth at different scales? For each user group.

Questions for complicated network effects:

Less than truckload freight (LTL). This is about coordinating demand and locations for mobility. This is similar to carpooling in ride-sharing. The matching, pricing and network effects are more complicated.
On-demand vs. synchronous vs. asynchronous. Matching, pricing and network effects are more complicated. Pricing can follow spot demand vs. scheduled.
Cyclical and other fluctuations in both supply and demand. This impacts both prices and utilization.
Route specific network effects. Need to balance supply and demand (and critical mass) on each route.
Serial routes. Matching, pricing and arranging multiple routes in sequence. Much more complicated
- How does this compare with economies of scale in geographic density.

—--
Related articles:

3 Types of Network Effects (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)
From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:
Network Effects - Simple
Network Effects - Complicated
Marketplaces for Services

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Full Truck Alliance

-----------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Skillz vs. Electronic Arts. And the Emergence of Digital Sin Stocks. (88) Jun 29, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Skillz and Electronic Arts. There are some interesting and evolving strategy aspects to gaming - especially as it goes to multiplayer and tournaments. And as Skillz opens up tournament gaming based on cash rewards, the question is how far into gambling is this going to go?
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas
—–—
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Network Effects
Share of the Consumer Mind

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Skillz
Electronic Arts

———
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why Didi is Dominant But Still Unprofitable (87) Jun 21, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Didi's upcoming IPO. They have released their numbers and it shows market dominance but operating losses. This is my explanation for what is happening. And what their strategic plan means.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
How I breakdown:

Market size and/or growth
Competitive strength and defensibility
Unit economics

Questions for network effects:

Local vs. regional vs. international network effects?
Fast vs. slow network effects?
Degree vs. value of connections?
Minimum viable scale vs. asymptotic scale? What is congestion / saturation / degradation scale?
Linear vs. exponential growth at different scales?

—–---
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Network Effects: Indirect
Economies of Scale: Purchasing Economies
5 Forces: Substitutes
5 Forces: Threat of New Entrants

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Didi

---------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Ant Financial and the 3 Types of Network Effects (86) Jun 16, 2021

This week’s podcast is about separating networks (an asset) from platforms (a business model) from network effects (a phenomenon). And the three standard types of network effects.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
I put network effects into 3 types:

Direct (One-Sided) Network Effects
Indirect (Two-Sided) Network Effects
Standardization and Interoperability Network Effects

I put networks into 3 types:

Physical Networks
Protocol Networks
People Networks

——–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

3 Networks vs. 5 Platforms vs. 3 Network Effects
Network Effects: Direct and Indirect
Network Effects: Standardization and Interoperability

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Ant Financial

-------------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Switching Costs, Wabco and Buffett's Critical Companies (85) Jun 07, 2021

This week’s podcast is about "criticality" as a type of switching cost. And specifically about Wabco, one of Warren Buffett's companies that has fairly powerful B2B criticality.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
——–
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Switching Costs
B2B Customer View: Necessary vs. Critical vs. Strategic

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Wabco
Warren Buffett / Berkshire Hathaway

——–
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

JD Logistics vs. DHL in Smart, IOT Logistics (84) Jun 03, 2021

This week’s podcast is about how traditionally great logistics businesses like DHL and JD Logistics are doing major digital upgrades. It's a big unknown but it all looks pretty attractive.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
—-----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Standardization and Interconnection Network Effect
Economies of Scale: Geographic Density

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

DHL
JD Logistics

--------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Shein Is Low-Priced DTC Apparel at the Speed of Algorithms. Is This a New Moat or Just Table Stakes? (83) May 25, 2021

This week's podcast is about the US-China DTC retailer Shein, which has rocketed upwards in the past months. Analysts are starting to pay close attention - but consumers have been noticing this company for a while.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The mentioned article by Packy McCormick and Matthew Brennan is Shein: The TikTok of Ecommerce.
—–—-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Competitive Advantage: Rate of Learning
SMILE Marathon: Rate of Learning
Share of Consumer Mind
Economies of Scale
Bargaining Power with Suppliers / Purchasing Economies

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Shein

———–
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Can ByteDance Breach Alibaba’s Infrastructure Moat and Become An Ecommerce Giant? (82) May 17, 2021

This podcast is about Alibaba's 2020 earnings and the strategy implications. But it is really about how Alibaba is positioned as a "product / service + commerce infrastructure" business. And whether ByteDance can break into Chinese ecommerce with an "attention + mini programs strategy". It's really a cool and important question.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The cited Alibaba presentations are here:

The cited Bloomberg article on ByteDance is here:

ByteDance Eyes a New $185 Billion Business Ahead of Mega IPO

The cited quotes from Alibaba are below. And at my webpage.
“During the past fiscal year, we made significant progress on our three key strategies, namely domestic consumption, globalization and cloud computing. Such progress demonstrated the tremendous power of Alibaba’s digital commerce infrastructure as well as our long-term commitment to invest for the future and to create value for our consumers, merchants and partners through innovations. ”
"We believe the key to unlocking the full value of the community marketplace model is not only about the standalone P&L of the business but also about the overall efficiency and servicing capabilities of the entire commerce platform where the business sits, and we believe the latter can generate far greater value than the former. Alibaba has the most sophisticated and efficient commerce infrastructure in China, with the most comprehensive product and service offerings to serve consumers of diverse segmentation and demands."
—–—-
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

New Retail
Online Merge Offline (OMO)
Mini Programs

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Alibaba
ByteDance

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Adobe Inc. and the Power of Old School Software Economics (81) May 10, 2021

This podcast is about the super cool economics of Adobe Inc. And how they capture the economics of digital by also building strong competitive moats. In Adobe's case, it's mostly network effects and bundling.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The digital economics terms cited are:

Zero marginal production costs.
Low distribution costs.
Non-rival goods that can be simultaneously used.
Global scalability at low cost.
Versioning. Multiple versions of their products can be easily created at different price points.
Bundling.
Complements can be added.
Lots of integration into other software and products.

—–----
Related articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Adobe Inc.

-----------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Evil Moats: Tech-Created Habits and the Hijacking of Consumer Minds (80) May 01, 2021

Competitive advantages can be build on the demand and the supply side. And advantages on the demand (i.e., revenue) side are usually about customer capture in some form. One general category for this is when a company captures a "share of the consumer mind."
In this talk, I go into how some companies do this for their own benefit. And against the interests of the consumer. I call these types of competitive advantages "evil moats".
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Here are the books and articles I mentioned:

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products. By Nir Eyal
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business. By Charles Duhigg.
Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas. By Natasha Schull.
How Technology Is Hijacking Your Mind. By Tristan Harris.

---—–
Related podcasts and articles are:

WeChat, TikTok and Capturing the Consumer Mind in a Digital Age (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 36)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Share of the Consumer Mind

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

n/a

——–
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

China's New OMO Platforms: Alibaba, Sun Art and Beike (79) Apr 25, 2021

This week’s podcast is about online-merge-offline (OMO) platforms. A business model that is just emerging in China. I talk about Sun Art Retail and Beike / Lianjia as examples.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Here is the BCG article I mentioned.
—–
Related podcasts and articles are:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Digital Physical Hybrids
New Retail
Online-Merge-Offline (OMO)
SMILE Marathon: Ecosystem Orchestration and Participation
OMO Platforms

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Alibaba
Sun Art Retail Group
KE Holdings / Beike / Lianjia

—-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What is the Worst Case Scenario for Alibaba? (78) Apr 18, 2021

This week’s podcast is about the current political risks around Alibaba. But also about the very important concept of Worst Case Scenario.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Here is the Harvard Business Review case about Viva Macau.
Here is the book I mentioned, Dead Companies Walking by Scott Fearon.
–—–
Related podcasts and articles are:

My 9 Investment Questions (Asia Tech Strategy – Podcast 75)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Worst Case Scenario (Question 9)

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Alibaba

———-—-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Don’t Overvalue Cool China Tactics: Community Group Buying, Blind Boxes and Influencer Marketing. (77) Apr 11, 2021

This week’s podcast is about how to think tactics that generate short-term growth and results. And we see these coming out of China all the time. In particular, I talk about how Pop Mart used blind boxes. How Joy Spreader and Ruhnn Holding used influencer marketing. And how everyone is using community group buying.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Here is the CBS talk with Li Lu.
Three questions for when you are thinking about tactics resulting in high-growth:

Will this short-term tactic or growth hack lose strength? When?
Is it a required new capability?
Is it a structural advantage?

—–-----
Related podcasts and articles are:

Joy Spreader and How to Think About KOL / Influencer Marketing (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Community Group Buying
Influencers and KOLs
Virality and Word of Mouth
Chinese Digital Consumer Network (CDCN)

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Joy Spreader
Pop Mart

----------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Can Baidu Thrive As a Stand-Alone Search Engine? (76) Apr 04, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Baidu and its key strategic questions:

Can it thrive as a stand-alone search engine? Against competitors such as Tencent and ByteDance.
What is its best growth opportunity? I think cloud.
Did it need to go into content? How far?
Can it compete in the attention market? Search plus feed.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The mentioned slides are here.
–-----
Related podcasts and articles are:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Search Engines
Learning Platforms
Standardization and Interconnection Network Effects

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Baidu

——–
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

My 9 Investment Standard Questions (75) Mar 28, 2021

This week’s podcast is about my investment checklist. Which is really just 9 questions. Shown below.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Charlie Munger’s Speech on the Psychology of Human Misjudgment. Located here.
———–
Related podcasts and articles are:

N/A

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

9 Questions
Company Quality (Ques 1 and 2)
Worst Case Scenario (Ques 9)

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Warren Buffett / Berkshire Hathaway

------------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Fiverr and the Classic Marketplace Platform Playbook (74) Mar 21, 2021

This week’s podcast is Fiverr and their classic approach to building a marketplace platform (for freelance services). I don't go into it too much but I thought it was a good example of a common playbook for venture capital-backed early stage companies.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Andreesen Horowitz listed 4 types of competitive advantages:

Network effects
Economies of scale
Direct brand power
Differentiated technology

My competitive pyramid is here.
----------
Related podcasts and articles are:

N/A

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Platforms: Marketplace
Network Effects
Competitive Advantage: Differentiated Technology?

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Fiverr

——-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Can Huawei's HarmonyOS Break Android's Monopoly? (73) Mar 14, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Huawei’s big operating system initiative. It’s the first serious challenge to Android’s global dominance. And how to break-in with a new ecosystem is a fascinating question.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Types of platforms:

Marketplace Platforms
Payment Platforms
Innovation and Audience-Builder Platforms
Coordination, Collaboration and Standardization Platforms
Learning Platforms

----------
Related podcasts and articles are:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Ecosystems vs. Platforms
Platforms: Innovation

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Huawei
Android

———-—-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Can JD, Alibaba and New Retail Go International? My Interview With the CEO of JD Central Thailand. (72) Mar 08, 2021

This week’s podcast is about JD Central in Thailand. I had an interesting visit and interviewed the CEO. And it raises a bigger point of whether China's ecommerce giants can or will go international?
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The McKinsey & Co article I mentioned is here.
Related podcasts and articles are:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

N/A

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

JD
JD Central Thailand
Alibaba

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Will JD Logistics Become a New Type of Ecosystem? (71) Feb 28, 2021

This week’s podcast is about JD Logistics. It's an interesting case of a capability becoming a service business. And maybe a new type of ecosystem.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles are:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Ecosystems vs. Digital Platforms
SMILE Marathon: Ecosystem Orchestration and Management

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

JD Logistics
AT&T
Android

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How Coupang Is Building a Competitive Fortress in South Korea (70) Feb 21, 2021

This week’s podcast is about the Coupang of South Korea. An interesting case of local dominance (geographic) based initially on competitive advantages on the cost side. But potentially also on the demand side.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The advantages for Coupang I mentioned are:

Production Cost Advantage: Location or Transportation Cost Advantage
Economies of Scale: Purchase Economies
Economies of Scale: Distribution Network Density
Economies of Scale: IT and R&D Spending
Production Cost Advantage: Proprietary Technology (possible)
Network Effects (possible)
Share of Consumer Mind / Branding / Habit Formation (possible)

Here are the quotes I mentioned from the IPO filing (see webpage)
Related podcasts and articles are:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Production Cost Advantage: Proprietary Technology
Production Cost Advantage: Location or Transportation Cost Advantage
Economies of Scale: Purchase Economies
Economies of Scale: Distribution Network Density
Economies of Scale: IT and R&D Spending
Revenue Scale and Operating Leverage

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Coupang
Walmart

I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why Revenue Scale and Operating Leverage Are Different for Software vs. AI. (69) Feb 14, 2021

This week’s podcast is about revenue scale and operating leverage in traditional companies vs. software vs. AI. And these things can be really different. Especially software vs. AI.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Here are the three factors I mentioned that interact for operating leverage:

Revenue
Operating profits
Economic value creation (i.e., vs capital)

Here are the books I mentioned:

Related podcasts and articles are:

N/A

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Valuation (Question 3): Operating Leverage
Valuation (Question 3): Revenue Scale and Growth
SMILE Marathon: AI/ ML

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

N/A

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

34: 9 Questions

--------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Is Roblox Going to Be the Next TikTok? Plus the Kuaishou IPO. (68) Feb 07, 2021

This week’s podcast is about Roblox and the question of whether this media type will really take off. And I argue this is an interesting evolution of the audience-builder platform.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Here is the article I mentioned:

ByteDance vs. Kuaishou: Innovator vs. Fast Follower Strategies for the China Attention Market (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)

Related podcasts and articles are:

7 Reasons Digital Platforms Fail (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson / Update)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Platforms: Audience-Builders

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Roblox
Kuaishou

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4, with a focus on:

12: Basics of Tiktok / Douyin and Audience-Builder Platforms

------------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The 3 Real Effects of Network Effects. Plus So-Young's Cool Marketplace. (67) Jan 31, 2021

This week’s podcast is about network effects. And I argue they are actually three effects at the same time. Plus some stuff about So-Young's marketplace for services.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The 3-4 types of effects with network effects are:

Competitive Advantage
Barrier to Entry
Other Competitive Advantages such as switching costs.
Flywheel

Here is the article I mentioned:

16 Ways to Measure Network Effects

Related podcasts and articles are:

7 Reasons Digital Platforms Fail (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson / Update)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

B2B Customer View: Necessary, Strategic vs. Critical
Platforms: Marketplaces for Products and Services
Network Effects

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

So-Young International

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

35: Competitive Advantage and Digital Competition

I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Asia Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Pay Attention to the Potential Value of WeChat Mini Programs. (66) Jan 24, 2021

This week’s podcast is about some of the bigger strategic initiatives at WeChat. Specifically mini programs, search, mini games and WeChat Work.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles are:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Complementary Platforms
Digital Competition Pyramid

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

WeChat
Tencent

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

35: Competitive Advantage and Digital Competition

I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The Difference Between Competitive Advantages and 7 Powers (65) Jan 17, 2021

This week’s podcast is my third on the well-known 7 Powers framework by Hamilton Helmer. I go through the last 4 of his 7 powers.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
His fundamental equation of value is:
Value = M0*g*s*m = market scale * power

M0 is Market at time zero. g is growth. This is about targeting big and growing market opportunities.
S is long-term persistent market share. How much of it you have
M is long term persistent margins. (operational margins after cost of capital)
You can also do potential value = market scale * power.

His break-down of branding is that it evokes positive emotion, leading to increased willingness to pay.

Affective valence. Built-up associations that elicit good feeling that are distinct from the objective value of the good.
Uncertainty reduction. Peace of mind because confidence the product will be as expected.
A brand requires lengthy period of time with reinforcing actions (hysteresis). Legacy brands tend to be powerful. Hard to replicate in short term. Or with copycats.

His break-down of cornered (or scarce) resource is that it must be sufficiently potent to drive high-potential, persistent differential margins (m>>0), with operational excellence spanning the gap between potential and actual. He has five screening tests for cornered resource:

Idiosyncratic. Such as a brain trust with repeated success over time.
Non-arbitraged. If a firm gains preferential access to a coveted resource but also pays a price that fully arbitrages out the rents attributable to this resource – then doesn’t matter.
Transferable. If resources creates value at one company, but cannot if transferred to another, then it is not good. Probably has an essential complement.
Ongoing.
Sufficient. It must be complete enough to continue producing differential returns assuming operational excellence.

Related podcasts and articles are:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Competitive Advantage: Share of Consumer Mind
Competitive Advantage: Surplus Margin Leader in Network Effects
Competitive Advantage: Proprietary technology
Competitive Advantage: Process Advantage and Learning Advantages
Competitive Advantage: Scarce Resource

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

None

---------
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.

Support the show

Economies of Scale and Switching Costs According to 7 Powers (64) Jan 10, 2021

This week’s podcast is more on the well-known 7 Powers framework by Hamilton Helmer. I go through three of his 7 powers.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
His fundamental equation of value is:
Value = M0*g*s*m = market scale * power

M0 is Market at time zero. g is growth. This is about targeting big and growing market opportunities.
S is long-term persistent market share. How much of it you have
M is long term persistent margins. (operational margins after cost of capital)
You can also do potential value = market scale * power.

His break-down of economies of scale is:

Fixed costs
Distribution network density
Learning Economies (don't agree)
Purchasing Economies
Volume / area relationships (cool but I never use this)

His break-down of switching costs is:

Financial switching costs
Procedural switching costs
Relational switching costs

I also cited the 4 terrains from BCG: See here
Related podcasts and articles are:

4 Problems with Hamilton Helmer’s 7 Powers (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 62)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

Competitive Advantage: Economies of Scale
Surplus Margin Leader
Competitive Advantage: Switching Costs
Counter-Positioning

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

None

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4, with a focus on:

15: Didi and Switching Costs

—–----
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Tech Strategy, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

4 Problems with Michael Porter's 5 Forces (63) Jan 03, 2021

This week’s podcast is on the well-known 5 Forces framework by Michael Porter. I go through some of its limitations and where I think it works best.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Michael Porter's 5 Forces:

Bargaining power of suppliers
Bargaining power of buyers
Threat of Substitutes
Barriers to entry / threat of potential entrants
Degree of existing competitive rivalry
Role of complements?

My 4 problems with this are:

It doesn’t work for dynamic and non-classical strategy terrains.
It doesn’t work for platforms and ecosystems.
It doesn’t work with SMILE marathon dimensions, particularly innovation.
The addition of complements doesn’t really cover the emergence of a connected, digital world.

Related podcasts and articles are:

4 Problems with Hamilton Helmer’s 7 Powers (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 62)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

5 Forces
Innovation
4 Terrains and Strategies (BCG): Predictable vs. Malleable
SMILE Marathon

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

None

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

4 Problems with Hamilton Helmer’s 7 Powers (62) Dec 27, 2020

This week’s podcast is on the well-known 7 Powers framework by Hamilton Helmer. I go through some of its limitations and where I think it works best.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Hamilton Helmer's fundamental equation for value creation and capture
Value = M0*g*s*m = market scale * power

M0 is market size at time zero. This is about targeting big and growing market opportunities.
S is long-term persistent market share.
m is long term persistent margins (operational margins after cost of capital).

Hamilton Helmer's 7 Powers:

Scale Economies
Network Economies
Counter Positioning
Switching Costs
Branding
Cornered Resource
Process Power

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

7 Powers
Competitive Advantage
4 Terrains and Strategies (BCG): Predictable vs. Malleable
SMILE Marathon

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Netflix

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

35: Competitive Advantage

——–
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What Ant Financial Tells Us About the Future of Square. Plus, Why The External View Is So Hard in Digital. (61) Dec 20, 2020

This week’s podcast is on Ant Financial vs. Square. And has an introduction to the inside vs. outside view and base rates.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Key question: What will drive Square's growth?
Metrics for base rates:

Sales growth
Gross profitability (gross profits / assets)
Operating leverage. Change in operating profits relative to change in sales.
Operating profit margin
Earnings growth
CFROI

Related podcasts and articles:

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

External vs. Internal View
Regression to the Mean (average / base rates, rate of regression)
Payment Platforms
Marketplace Platforms
Complementary Platforms

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

Ant Financial / Group / Alipay
Square

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 5, with a focus on:

19: Basics of Ant Financial / Alipay and Payment Platforms

——–
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter for investors in China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Tesla vs. Nio - And Why First Mover Advantage in Tech Can Suck. (60) Dec 13, 2020

Tesla vs. Nio and why first mover advantage is not as awesome as everyone thinks. At least not in tech.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Advantages of first mover in tech can include:

Bigger advantages:
- Temporary supply-demand imbalance
- Increasing returns to scale
- Switching costs
- Network effects
- Learning effects
Smaller advantages:
- Brand loyalty
- Technological leadership
- Scarce assets in tech

Disadvantages of first mover in tech can include:

High failure rate
R&D expenses on successful and unsuccessful tech.
Cost of building production processes and complementary goods not available in the market
Cost and difficulty of developing suppliers and distribution channels.
Cost and difficulty of building consumer awareness and education
Availability of enabling technologies and infrastructure
Uncertainty of customer requirements

Related podcasts and articles:

Introduction to Innovation, Elon and Android’s Dominant Design. (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 58)

Concepts for this class.

Increasing Returns to Tech Adoption
First Mover Advantages and Disadvantages.
Path Dependency
Resource Based Competition
Core Competency
Supply-Demand Imbalance

Companies for this class:

Tesla
Nio

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#32: Innovation, Adaptation and Resilience as Competitive Strategy

——–
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter for investors in China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Airbnb Is Going to Get Crushed in Asia. Rethink Your Valuation. (59) Dec 06, 2020

This week’s podcast is on Airbnb and what I think people are getting wrong about its business model and future in Asia. Which has some impact on how you would value it going forward.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The mentioned presentation by NYU Professor Damodaran is here.
The mentioned factors for Airbnb were:

Market size and / or growth
Competitive dynamics and strengths
Industry and unit economics

Related podcasts and articles:

Concepts for this class.

Digital Platforms: Marketplaces for Products and Services. This is on the right side of the pyramid below.
Bundling and Cross-Selling. These are under soft advanges below (light green).
Network Effects. This is under competitive advantage below (dark green).

Companies for this class:

Airbnb

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 5, with a focus on:

#16: Basics of Ctrip, Meituan and Other Marketplace Platforms for Services

--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Introduction to Innovation, Elon Musk and Android's Dominant Design. (58) Nov 29, 2020

This week’s podcast is on innovation, which often is discussed in fuzzy terms. I present some of the better language used to discuss this topic. And I present some frameworks from McKinsey and Professor Melissa Schilling (NYU).
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The slides mentioned are below.
Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#32: Innovation, Adaptation and Resilience as Competitive Strategy

Concepts for this class.

SMILE Marathon: Sustained Innovation
Dominant Design and Architectural vs. Component Innovation
S-Curves for Tech Performance vs. Tech Diffusion
Increasing Returns to Tech Adoption
Learning Effects and Learning Curve
Network Effects
Path Dependency

Companies for this class:

Android

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Alibaba, Android and The Emerging Art of Ecosystem Management. (57) Nov 23, 2020

This week’s podcast is more about the fuzzy idea of ecosystems, which I call the new collaboration-based business business models. We have clear frameworks for pipelines and platforms. And linked business models and complementary platforms. I summarize some of the thinking by Peter Williamson, Michael Jacobides and BCG's article The Emerging Art of Ecosystem Management.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#30: Ecosystems vs. Platforms

Concepts for this class.

Ecosystems vs. Digital Platforms
SMILE Marathon: Ecosystem Orchestration and Management
Linked Business Models

Companies for this class:

Alibaba
Android

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Forget the "Alibaba Ecosystem". It's About Collaboration-Based Industries and Business Models. (56) Nov 16, 2020

Correction: I had Michael Jacobides' name incorrect throughout this episode. My apologies. Podcasting while sick may not have been my best idea.
This week's podcast is about starting to take apart the fuzzy idea of ecosystems. We have clear frameworks for pipelines and platforms. And linkedin business models and complemntary platforms. But the ecosystem term is better thought of as collaboration-based industries and business models. I summarize some of the thinking by Peter Williamson, Michael Jacobides and BCG.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The slides mentioned are below.
Related podcasts and articles:

What is Alibaba’s Best Growth Strategy? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 50)

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#30: Ecosystems vs. Platforms

Concepts for this class.

Ecosystems vs. Digital Platforms
SMILE Marathon: Ecosystem Orchestration and Management

Companies for this class:

Alibaba

--------
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How Digital Creates and Destroys Competitive Advantage. Digital Economics II. (55) Nov 08, 2020

This podcast is more about the strange but important economics of digital. And on how digital economics can impact well-established competitive advantages like economies of scale. This is a continuation of Podcast 53.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#29: Digital Economics II

Concepts for this class.

Digital Information and Economics
Economies of Scale
Minimum Efficient Scale
5 Scenarios Where Digital Impacts Economies of Scale
Network Effects
Standardization And Interconntections Network Effects

Companies for this class:

n/a

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

5 Trends That Will Power Digital China / Asia for the Next Decade (54) Nov 01, 2020

These are my predictions for the biggest trends in digital China / Asia for 2020-2030. They are all underway already. And most of them are unique to China / Asia - so I don't think we will see them elsewhere.
My prediction is:
In 2020 – 2030, China / Asia will become the world's largest and most innovative digital ecosystem - with unmatched infrastructure and capabilities.
And these the 5 trends I am watching for:

China / Asia will become the smart devices leader as innovation in digital is combined with innovation in hardware.
Smart IoT logistics platforms will emerge and connect consumers, retailers, businesses and others autonomously and in real-time.
New Manufacturing will emerge in Asia that is flexible, efficient and connected.
Smart cities will emerge and may become operating platforms.
Digital finance may leapfrog the traditional banking and financial system.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#26: Advanced New Retail

Concepts for this class.

New Retail
Online Merge Offline
Smart IoT Logistics Platforms
China Digital Consumer Network (CDCN)
New Manufacturing

Companies for this class:

Xiaomi
DJI
Xunxi
Cainiao
JD Logistics
Insta360 / Arashi Vision

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Digital Economics II: Why Pricing Is Getting Both Complicated and Critical. (53) Oct 26, 2020

This podcast is more about the strange but important economics of digital. And on pricing, in particular. It is becoming increasingly complicated with bundling, switching costs and platform business models.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles:

Review: The Sexy But Dangerous Economics of Digital (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 15)

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#29: Digital Economics II

Concepts for this class.

Combinatorial Innovation
Price Discrimination
Common Pricing Strategies (Penetration Pricing, Market Skimming, Survival Pricing, Maximize Profit Pricing)
Pricing and Switching Costs
Switching Costs

Companies for this class:

n/a

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why the Bytedance "Attention Factory" Is a Threat to Facebook (52) Oct 19, 2020

Matthew Brennan has published:

Attention Factory: The Story of TikTok and China's ByteDance

\
It's a great read, with lots of interesting ideas about how to fight for attention. And how to manage information flows in a world overflowing with content and ideas.
The slides mentioned are below and here.
Related podcasts and articles:

What Is the Secret of TikTok / Douyin’s Success? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 20)

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#32: Adaptation, Innovation and Resilience as Competitive Strategy

Concepts for this class.

SMILE Marathon 2: Machine Learning / AI and Zero-Human Operations
SMILE Marathon 4: Rate of Learning
Learning Advantages
Social Capital

Companies for this class:

Bytedance
TikTok / Douyin
Facebook

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

The Fight Between Alibaba Cloud, AWS and Friedrich Hayek (51) Oct 12, 2020

At Alibaba’s Investor Day, CEO Daniel Zhang outlined 11 growth stratgies. Five were under Alibaba Cloud (Aliyun). These are the early days of cloud and, likely, a new paradigm for computing and connectivity. It's chaotic and unclear. But Alibaba is very well positioned to win big.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The mentioned slides are below.
Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#30: Ecosystems vs. Platforms

Concepts for this class.

Ecosystems vs. Digital Platforms
Platform Types: Coordination, Collaboration and Standardization

Companies for this class:

Alibaba
Alibaba Cloud

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What is Alibaba's Best Growth Strategy? (50) Oct 04, 2020

At Alibaba's Investor Day, CEO Daniel Zhang outlined 11 growth strategies. Five were under Domestic Consumption. The question for this class is which is the most effective of these? Which is most likely to succeed and move the needle?
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The choices are:

“To continue growing our digital economy user base”
“To expand consumption categories and consumer wallet share in our digital economy”.
“To develop new supply categories and supply-side transformation based on consumer insights.”
“To create or redefine online / offline retail formats leveraging our digital technology”
“To upgrade Alipay from digital check out to digital check in.”

The mentioned slides are here.
Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#30: Ecosystems vs. Platforms

Concepts for this class.

Ecosystems vs. Digital Platforms
Linked Businesses
Complementary Platforms

Companies for this class:

Alibaba

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Ant Financial and the Sustained Innovation Trap of Network Effects (3 of 3) (49) Sep 27, 2020

This is Part 3 in a three part series about Ant Group / Ant Financial. In this part, I talk about how sustained innovation is the primary strategy for maintaining their competitive advantages.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles:

3 Ways Network Effects Suck (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 41)

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 5, with a focus on:

#19: Basics of Ant Financial / Alipay and Payment Platforms

Concepts for this class.

Network Effects
Adaptation and Resilience
SMILE Marathon: Sustained Innovation

Companies for this class:

Ant Financial / Alipay / Ant Group

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Adaptation, Innovation and Resilience at Alibaba. A Discussion with BCG's Martin Reeves. (2 of 3) (48) Sep 20, 2020

This is Part 2 in a three part series about Alibaba and Ant Group. The focus was on Alibaba's ability to continually adapt to new markets, consumer behaviors, technologies and opportunities. The idea of adaptability and innovation are increasingly discussed as key competitive abilities. Part 1 is here.
To investigate that, I spoke with Martin Reeves, who is Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute. And has long written about adaptability and rate of learning as critical parts of strategy. Here is his summary from the BCG website:
"Since joining BCG in 1989, Martin has led a broad range of strategy assignments in the Financial Institutions, Consumer Goods, Industrial Goods and Health Care sectors. He has particular expertise in the areas of adaptive strategy, strategy for multi-business systems, sustainability strategies, ecosystem strategies, collective learning and innovation, corporate vitality, and trust."
Specifically, we spoke about his paper with Ming Zeng about Alibaba as a self-tuning enterprise. Although we did go off to other ideas pretty quickly. The main question was how Alibaba had been so successful for two decades in business after business.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 8, with a focus on:

#32: Adaptation and Resilience

Concepts for this class.

Adaptation and Resilience
SMILE Marathon: Sustained Innovation

Companies for this class:

Ant Financial / Alipay / Ant Group
Alibaba

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers

Support the show

How Ant Financial / Ant Group is Revolutionizing Finance (1 of 3) (47) Sep 13, 2020

This is Part 1 in a three part series about Ant Group. And my basic argument is Ant is well positioned to disrupt and potentially revolutionize financial services.
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 5, with a focus on:

#19: Ant Financial and Intro to Payment Platforms (podcast located here)
#23: SMILE Marathon

Concepts for this class. The slides discussed in the podcast are located below and correspond to the 4 ideas below.

Payment Platforms
SMILE Marathon: Ml / AI factories & human-free operations

Companies for this class:

Ant Financial / Alipay / Ant Group

Graphics mentioned are located at my website.
———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What is the Secret of Pinduoduo’s Success? (2 of 2) (46) Sep 07, 2020

This is Part 2 about Pinduoduo and the idea of interactive / engagement-driven ecommerce.
In Part 1, I discussed a recent whitepaper with its authors Elliott Zaagman (co-host the China Tech Investor podcast and a research and communications professional focused on China) and Matthew Brennan (Managing Director of the China Channel.)
Their whitepaper on Pinduoduo and interactive commerce is available at China Channel or can be downloaded directly here (Interactive Ecommerce Whitepaper 2020.08.10.)
You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The 5 choices for explaining Pinduoduo’s success are:

First mover in a huge market. Got the right product at the right time in the right market.
Offered low cost (sometimes free) products to a frugal demographic.
Interactive / engagement-focused ecommerce.
Group buying and virality. The tie with WeChat.
Good execution and management.

Related podcasts and articles:

What is the Secret of Pinduoduo’s Success? With Matthew Brennan and Elliott Zaagman. (1 of 2) (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 45)

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7-8, with a focus on:

#31: Introduction to Pinduoduo

Concepts for this class. The slides discussed in the podcast are located below and correspond to the 4 ideas below.

Value for Money. The Power of Cheap and Free. Example of Digital Superpower #1: Dramatically improving the user experience.
Interactive / Engagement-Focused Ecommerce
Virality and Word of Mouth
External View and Base Rates

Companies for this class:

Pinduoduo

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What is the Secret of Pinduoduo’s Success? With Matthew Brennan and Elliott Zaagman. (1 of 2) (45) Aug 30, 2020

This is Part 1 about Pinduoduo and the idea of interactive / engagement-driven ecommerce. Our guests for this podcast were Matthew Brennan and Elliott Zaagman.
Elliott Zaagman is co-host the China Tech Investor podcast and a research and communications professional focused on China.
Matthew Brennan is Managing Director of the China Channel.
We discuss their whitepaper on Pinduoduo and interactive commerce, which is available at China Channel.
The 5 choices for explaining Pinduoduo’s success are:

First mover in a huge market. Got the right product at the right time in the right market.
Offered low cost (sometimes free) products to a frugal demographic.
Interactive / engagement-focused ecommerce.
Group buying and virality. The tie with WeChat.
Good execution and management.

Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7-8, with a focus on:

#31: Introduction to Pinduoduo

Concepts for this class:

Value for Money. The Power of Cheap and Free. Example of Digital Superpower #1: Dramatically improving the user experience.
Interactive / Engagement-Focused Ecommerce
Virality and Word of Mouth

Companies for this class:

Pinduoduo

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Can Xiaomi or Meitu Win as Platforms / Ecosystems? (2 of 2) (44) Aug 23, 2020

This is part 2 about Xiaomi, Meitu and 7 reasons why platforms / ecosystems succeed or fail. Part 1 is here.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
7 reasons why ecosystems (and platforms) fail (by BCG):

Insufficient problem to solve
Wrong ecosystem configuration
Wrong governance choices
Inadequate monetization
Weak launch strategy
Weak defensibility
Bad execution

Cited in this talk:

Why Do Most Business Ecosystems Fail (BCG)

Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#30: Ecosystems vs. Digital Platforms

Concepts for this class:

Ecosystems vs. Digital Platforms
SMILE Operational Marathon: Ecosystem Orchestration and Management
Switching costs
Share of consumer mind

Companies for this class:

Xiaomi
Meitu

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Xiaomi, Meitu and Why Platforms Fail (1 of 2) (43) Aug 17, 2020

In this class, I talk about why platforms fail and do an introduction to ecosystems vs. platforms.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Cited in this talk:

Why Do Most Business Ecosystems Fail (BCG)

Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#30: Ecosystems vs. Digital Platforms

Concepts for this class:

Ecosystems vs. Digital Platforms
SMILE Operational Marathon: Ecosystem Shaping and Management
Mismatched and/or Crippled Scale
Digital-Physical Hybrids
Multihoming
Blitzscaling

Companies for this class:

None

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Tencent Buys Sogou. Plus More Digital and Information Economics (42) Aug 10, 2020

In this class, I talk Tencent's recent purchase of Sogou. And go through more digital and information economics.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#29: Digital and Information Economics II

Related podcasts and articles:

Concepts for this class:

Digital and Information Economics
Non-Rivalry and Zero Marginal Production Costs
Versioning and Pricing
Willingness to Pay and Consumer Surplus
Bundling and Cross-Selling
Complements

Companies for this class:

Sogou
Tencent

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Ways Network Effects Suck (41) Aug 03, 2020

In this class, I talk about networks. And some of their strengths and weaknesses.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#28: Network Effects

Concepts for this class:

Networks Effects
NE: Critical Mass and Chicken-and-Egg
NE: Interaction Failure at Scale
NE: Leaky Bucket and Multihoming

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Why Lazada vs. Shopee Is Faster Horse vs. Better Jockey (40) Jul 27, 2020

In this class, I talk how to fairly basic platform business models (Shopee, Lazada) compete. As the capabilities and strategies are similar this is mostly about operational performance and management over time.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
This is part of Learning Goals: Level 6, with a focus on:

#23: SMILE Operational Marathon

Concepts for this class:

Multihoming
Management Track Record and Incentives

Companies for this class:

Lazada
Shopee

———-
I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.
I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.
My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.
Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

What TikTok Can Learn From Huawei About the Role of the State (39) Jul 20, 2020

In this class, I talk about the role of the state as a key factor in certain industries and countries. This tends to be a fuzzy, uncomfortable aspect when it comes to analysis. But it is fairly common for government to act as both policeman and player. And it can often be easy to predict.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:

#27: The Role of the State

Concepts for this class:

Role of the State
Mismatched and/or Crippled Scale

Companies for this class:

TikTok / Douyin
Bytedance
Huawei

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Will Farfetch or Secoo Win in Luxury Ecommerce in China? (38) Jul 13, 2020

In this class, I talk about the difficulty of moving luxury into ecommerce. And how Chinese consumers will likely determine who finally cracks this problem. Secoo and Farfetch are two companies that are on this frontier right now.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Question: Will Farfetch or Secoo win in luxury ecommerce in China? Three factors to consider:

What do consumers care about most?
What do large luxury brands care about most?
What do small luxury brands and boutiques care about most?

Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#26: Advanced and Complicated New Retail

Concepts for this class:

Platform Business Models: Marketplaces for Products and Services
New Retail
Online Merge Offline (OMO)
SMILE Operational Marathon: Ecosystem Shaping and Management
China Digital Consumer Network (CDCN)

Companies for this class:

Farfetch
Secoo
JD

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Companies Can Have Digital Superpowers: Lazada vs. Grab. Luckin vs. Hellobike. (37) Jul 05, 2020

In this class, we go through 6 digital superpowers, which is a simple high-level checklist for when digital tools can significantly change the competitive dynamics of a business.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Which of the 6 Digital Superpowers does the company have? If any.

Dramatically transform the user experience
Enable a platform business model
Network effects
Other competitive advantage
Virality
Scalable

Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#25: 6 Digital Superpowers

Concepts for this class:

6 Digital Superpowers
SMILE Operational Marathon
Competitive Advantages: Traditional vs. Digital

Companies for this class:

Lazada
Grab
Luckin Coffee
Hellobike

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

WeChat, TikTok and Capturing the Consumer Mind in a Digital Age (36) Jun 28, 2020

In this class, I talk about the share of the consumer mind as a revenue competitive advantage. And how companies like WeChat and TikTok are changing this with digital tools.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles:

Why Didi Needs Driver Switching Costs. Uber Too. (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 23)

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#24: Share of the Consumer Mind in a Digital Age

Concepts for this class:

Competitive Advantages
Share of the Consumer Mind
Switching Costs
Searching Costs
Temporary Supply-Demand Imbalances

Companies for this class:

TikTok / Douyin and Bytedance
WeChat and Tencent

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

How Should Education Companies Like New Oriental Respond to AI Digital Natives Like LAIX? (35) Jun 22, 2020

In this class, I go into the how digital native education companies like LAIX are challenging traditional companies like New Oriental.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Which of the 6 Digital Superpowers does LAIX have? If any.

Dramatically transform the user experience
Enable a platform business model
Network effects
Other competitive advantage
Virality
Scalable

Related podcasts and articles:

Review: The Sexy But Dangerous Economics of Digital (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 15)

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 2, with a focus on:

#1: Basics of Digital Economics

Concepts for this class:

Jobs to be Done
Digital Econoimcs
Digital Superpower 1: Dramatically Transform User Experience

Companies for this class:

Liulishuo (LAIX)
New Oriental Education

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Huawei, Luckin and the SMILE Marathon (34) Jun 14, 2020

In this class, I go into the increasing dimensions of operational marathons. I call these the SMILE marathon.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
SMILE Marathons. Competing every day on which dimensions?

Scale, Scope, Efficiency and Effectiveness
Machine Learning / AI Factories and Zero-Human Operations
Innovation
Rate of Learning
Ecosystem Orchestration and Management

Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#23: SMILE Marathon

Concepts for this class:

SMILE Marathon
SMILE Marathon Dimension 1: Scale, Scope, Efficiency and Effectiveness
SMILE Marathon Dimension 2: Machine Learning / AI Factories and Zero-Human Operations
SMILE Marathon Dimension 3: Innovation
SMILE Marathon Dimension 4: Rate of Learning
SMILE Marathon Dimension 5: Ecosystem Orchestration and Management

Companies for this class:

Huawei
Luckin Coffee

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

3 Ways AI Is Transforming Fashion: My Interview with JD Vice President of Cloud & AI (33) Jun 08, 2020

In this class, I talk about ways AI and cheap prediction are being used in fashion and apparel. From my interview with Dr. Tao Mei, Vice President of Cloud & AI at JD.com.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#22: Basics of AI

Concepts for this class:

Digital Superpowers
Operational Marathon
AI as Cheap Prediction
AI Factories / Zero-Human Operations

Companies for this class:

JD

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Grab vs. GoJek vs. Lazada: Who Will Win in Services in SE Asia? (32) Jun 01, 2020

In this class, I go through some of the basics of Grab, GoJek and Lazada. And the different approaches for capturing local services in SE Asia.
You can listen here or at my webpage.
Which are the most important 1-2 factors for the competition in SE Asia services?

Consumer engagement and experience. Capturing a share of the consumer mind.
Merchant engagement and experience. Being strong with service providers.
Platform business models and their advantages (subsidized pricing, growing interactions, data, etc.)
Network effects.
Management execution and access to capital.

Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#16: Basics of Ctrip, Meituan and Marketplace Platforms for Services

Concepts for this class:

Bundling
Platforms: Marketplaces for Services
Network Effects

Companies for this class:

Grab
GoJek
Didi
Lazada

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Support the show

Products with Personalities? My Interview with JD About Conversational AI (31) May 25, 2020

In this class, I talk about my interview with He Xiaodong of JD. And about how chatbots are evolving into conversational AI. Plus the basics of AI economics.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
CORRECTION. In this podcast, I mentioned that JD's Smart Customer Service has the personality of a young woman. Xiaodong was actually referreing to Microsoft's Xiaolce. My apologies.
Related podcasts and articles:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#22 Basics of AI

Concepts for this class:

AI - Cheap Prediction
Mismatched and/or Crippled Scale

Companies for this class:

JD

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Should Starbucks Buy Luckin Coffee? Should Alibaba? HeyTea? (30) May 18, 2020

In this class, I talk about what can be done with Luckin Coffee post-scandal. Should another company or investor buy it?
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Who should buy Luckin Coffee? Choose an option.

Starbucks
711 or other convenience store
HeyTea
Alibaba or other ecommcerce company
Financial investors

Related podcasts and articles on Luckin and Heytea:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#21 New Retail and Value Added Deals

Concepts for this class:

New Retail
Company Quality: Good / Great / Bad / Too Hard
Alwaleed and Surgical Value Add / Value Point

Companies for this class:

Luckin Coffee
Heytea

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Can Shopee / Garena Beat Lazada? Tencent vs. Alibaba In SE Asia. (29) May 11, 2020

In this class, I talk about Shopee (ecommerce) and Garena (online gaming) in SE Asia - and the complementary platform businesses Sea Limited is building.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
The previous articles and books I cite are:

Platform Revolution (book)

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#20 The Basics of Garena / Shopee and Audience Builder Platforms

Concepts for this class:

Audience Builder Platforms
Complementary Platforms
Arms Race for Consumer Attention, Engagement and Spending

Companies for this class:

Shopee
Garena / Sea Limited
Lazada / Alibaba

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

How Big Will Ant Financial / Alipay Become? (28) May 06, 2020

In this class, I talk about Ant Financial / Alipay, AI factories and the basics of payment platforms.
You can listen here or at my website for this podcast.
The graphic discussed is shown here.
The previous articles I cite are:

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#19 The Basics of Ant Financial and Payment Platforms

Concepts for this class:

Advantages of Scale
Economies of Scale and Scope
Learning Advantages
Disadvantages of Scale: Bureaucracy, Specialization, Scope, Scale, Complexity, Connectivity
Payment Platforms
AI Factories / Zero-Human Operations

Companies for this class:

Ant Financial
Alibaba

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

How Can Meituan Compete with Alibaba? And Prepare for Next Gen Services Marketplaces? (27) Apr 26, 2020

In this class, I talk about Meituan and the evolution toward more advanced types of services marketplaces.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
What Should Meituan Do?:

Geographic expansion
Focus on transportation services (i.e., Didi)
Focus on hospitality services (i.e., Ctrip)
Jump into an ancillary opportunity: Financial Services or Cloud Services
Advance into more complicated services (i.e., market networks)

The previous podcast on the subject is:

Meituan vs. Ctrip vs. Alibaba: Who Will Win in China Services? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 22)

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#18 More on Meituan and Marketplace Platforms for Services

Concepts for this class:

Market Networks
Marketplaces for Products and Services

Companies for this class:

Meituan
Alibaba

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Is Baidu the New AT&T? The Basics of Physical vs. Virtual Networks. (26) Apr 19, 2020

In this class, I talk about networks vs. ecosystems. And how networks have evolved from physical to virtual / digital.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
This is part of Learning Goals: Level 4-5, with a focus on:

#17 Basics of Baidu and Physical and Virtual Networks

A lot of the AT&T information comes from the book The Business of Platforms.
Concepts for this class:

Network Effects
Networks and Ecosystems
Complementary Products, Services and Platforms

Companies for this class:

Baidu
AT&T

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

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Alibaba to Lazada: The Stunning Future of Interconnected Asia (25) Apr 13, 2020

In this class, I talk about Lazada, the SE Asia ecommerce champion. And about how it is a good example of how Asia is both at scale and becoming increasingly interconnected.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
Podcast on the future of digital is located here.

Why Digital Is Disrupting Business, Politics, Culture and Society (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 11)

The McKinsey Global Institute papers about the future of asia are here.
Note: The term emerging markets was coined by Antoine Van Agtmael, author of The Emerging Markets Century: How a New Breed of World-Class Companies Is Overtaking the World
Companies for this class:

Lazada

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

My Interview With Huawei About Their 2019 Financials. Plus Fraud at Luckin Coffee. (24) Apr 07, 2020

In this class, I talk about my interview with Huawei about their 2019 financial results. And a bit about the disclosure of fraud at Luckin Coffee.
You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.
This is part of Learning Goals: Level 3, with a focus on:

#6 Basics of Huawei
#10 More on Huawei

Concepts for this class:

Digital Superpower #1: Dramatically Improve the User Experience
Money Wars
Hyperscaling vs. Blitzscaling
Competitive Advantage: Economies of Scale
Linked Businesses

Companies for this class:

Huawei
Luckin Coffee

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Why Didi Needs Driver Switching Costs. Uber Too. (23) Mar 29, 2020

In this class, I talk about the basics of Didi and the importance of switching costs on the supplier side of the platform.
This is part of Learning Goals: Level 3, with a focus on:

#15 Basics of Didi and Switching Costs

Concepts for this class:

Switching Costs
Network Effects
Digital Platforms: Marketplaces for Services

Companies for this class:

Didi
Uber
Meituan
Ctrip

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Meituan vs. Ctrip vs. Alibaba: Who Will Win in China Services? (22) Mar 23, 2020

In this class, I talk about the crazy collision of Ctrip, Meituan and Alibaba in services in China, particularly in hotels.
You can listen here or at iTunes and Himalaya.
How do Ctrip and Meituan compare in the following aspects?

Bundling of services
The Assets of a Marketplace Platform: Users, Activity and Data
Network Effect
Switching Costs

This is part of Learning Goals: Level 3, with a focus on:

#16 Basics of Ctrip, Meituan and Marketplace Platforms for Services

Concepts for this class:

Digital Platforms: Marketplaces for Products and Services
Bundling and Cross-Selling
Network Effects
Switching Costs

Companies for this class:

Ctrip
Meituan
Alibaba Fliggy

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

What Is the Secret of Zoom’s Success in Video Communications? (21) Mar 15, 2020

In this class, I talk about why Zoom has been so successful in video communications.
Choose two options for why Zoom has been so successful.

Good Product. Reliable, easy-to-use, high quality video communications.
Viral service
Collaboration / Coordination Platform
Network Effect
Switching Costs

Correction/Clarification: Zoom has been blocked in China for the last couple of months. I know lots of people who are using it because of coronavirus but that is via VPN. So not the same thing. I'm not sure if I mentioned that or said it wrong in the podcast.

Learning Goal for this class:

#14 Virality vs. Word of Mouth
#15 Collaboration, Coordination, and Standardization Platforms

Concepts for this class:

Digital Platforms: Collaboration / Coordination / Standardization
Word of Mouth vs.Virality
Network Effects
Switching Costs

Companies for this class:

Zoom

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

What Is the Secret of TikTok / Douyin’s Success? (20) Mar 08, 2020

In this class, I talk about why TikTok / Douyin took off so rapidly and powerfully.
Choose two options for why TikTok / Douyin has grown so fast?

Addictive Product. Short personalized videos focused on memes, comedy, and lip syncs are a psychological hack.
Easy to Use and Highly Shareable Content Types. Tap into CDCN.
Audience-Builder Digital Platform
Network Effect, including data network effect (also called learning effect)
First mover in new space
AI and Digitized Operating Model.

Learning Goal for this class:

#12 the Basics of TikTok and Audience-Builder Platforms

Concepts for this class:

Digital Platforms: Audience Builder
B2B Customer View: Shareability, Word of Mouth and Virality
China Digital Consumer Network
Network Effects
First Mover
AI and Digital Operations

Companies for this class:

ByteDance / TikTok / Douyin

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

The Coronavirus Quarantine Economy Is Supercharging Taobao Live & the China Digital Consumer Network (19) Mar 01, 2020

In this class, I talk about how live-streaming and KOLs (especially Taobao Live) are activating the China Digital Consumer Network (CDCN). And how the coronavirus quarantine economy is supercharging this.
Correction. I mistakenly said Scott Gottlieb was former CDC head. I meant FDA.
You can listen here or at iTunes and Himalaya.
Learning Goal for this class:

#11 the Basics of CDCN, Social Media and KOLs

Concepts for this class:

China Digital Consumer Network
Networks and Ecosystems
Digital Platforms: Marketplaces
Social Media, Influencers and KOLs

Companies for this class:

JD / JD Live
Alibaba / Taobao Live

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

JD vs. Alibaba: How Retailers and Marketplace Platforms Compete and Evolve in China (18) Feb 23, 2020

In this class, I talk about how online retailers like JD and marketplace platforms like Alibaba compete on different dimensions.
You can listen here or at iTunes and Himalaya.
Alibaba and marketplace platforms compete on:

Cost and / or difficulty of entry - including the chicken-and-egg problem and the cost of the logistics network.
Competitive advantages - including network effects (main one) and economies of scale in logistics, marketing and IT.

JD and online retailers compete on:

Cost and / or difficulty of entry - including the cost of the logistics network.
Competitive advantages - including supply cost advantages and economies of scale in logistics (mostly), marketing and IT

Key Learning Goal is #5: the basics of JD
Concepts for this class:

Digital-Physical Hybrids
Competitive Advantage: Economies of Scale
Competitive Advantage: Network Effects
Digital Platforms: Marketplaces
Cost and Difficulty of Entry
Linked Businesses

Companies for this class:

JD
Alibaba

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

How Should Huawei's Smartphone Business Respond to the US Tech Ban? Part 2 (17) Feb 17, 2020

In this class, we continue the discussion about what Huawei should have done after the US tech ban. In Part 1, we discussed the telco business. Here we talk about the consumer and smartphone business.
You can listen at my website or at iTunes and Himalaya.
I presented four options for what to do:

Fix the supply chain and stay the course.
Become a digital platform. This means building a smartphone operating system.
Ignore Europe and focus mostly on China.
Try to build an anti-US alliance for smartphone operating systems. Europe would be key.

Concepts for this class:

Digital Platforms vs. Products
Innovation Platforms
Operational Marathon
Innovation Marathon (also under Rate of Learning)

Companies for this class:

Huawei
Apple
Xiaomi
HTC

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Review: Why Digital Platforms Are The Super Predators of Business (16) Feb 10, 2020

In this class, we review the basics of digital platforms, which is one of the key learning goals for Level 2.
You can listen here or at iTunes and Himalaya.
Concepts for this class:

Pipelines vs. Platforms

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Review: The Sexy But Dangerous Economics of Digital (15) Feb 04, 2020

In this class, we review the basics of digital economics, which is one of the key learning goals for Level 2.
You can listen here or at iTunes and Himalaya.
Concepts for this class:

Digital and Information Economics

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

How Should Huawei Have Responded to the US Tech Ban? Part 1 (14) Jan 21, 2020

In this class, we discuss Huawei's tech ban and what the company should have done.
You can listen at my website or at iTunes and Himalaya.
Concepts for this class:

B2B Customer View: Necessary vs. Critical vs. Strategic
Competitive Advantage: Switching Costs
Competitive Advantage; Economics of Scale
Operational Marathon

Companies for this class:

Huawei

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

My Visit to WeChat and Why They Are Smarter Than Apple and Facebook (13) Jan 15, 2020

In this class, I discuss my visit to the WeChat Open Class. And why Allen Zhang and the WeChat team are doing so much better than Facebook and Apple.
You can listen at my website or at iTunes and Himalaya.
Allen Zhang's video from the event is here.
———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Why Digital Is Disrupting Business, Politics, Culture and Society (11) Jan 05, 2020

In this class, I discuss some of the theory behind ecosystems, firms and coordination costs. And why digital platforms are having such a big impact on business, culture / media, politics / government and society.
You can listen at my website or at iTunes and Himalaya.
———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

My Visit to JD's E-Space: Is It a Game Changer for Department Stores in China? (10) Dec 29, 2019

In this class, I discuss my visit to JD's new 50,000 sqm e-space in Chongqing - and the question of what new retail (i.e., online-merge-offline) will mean for department stores and shopping malls.
You can listen at my website or at iTunes and Himalaya.
———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

3 Lessons from Hotpot with Huawei Chairman Guo Ping (9) Dec 23, 2019

In this class, I discuss my visit to Huawei in China - and my lessons learned from lunch with rotating Chairman Guo Ping.
You can listen at jefftowson.com (here) or at iTunes here.
Articles / podcasts cited in this class:

Huawei is Going to Beat Trump with Human Resources, Not Technology

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Why Did Ofo Fail? What Should They Have Done? (8) Dec 15, 2019

In this class, I discuss bike-sharing company Ofo. And their spectacular rise and fall in China.
You can listen here or at iTunes here.
The exercise for this class is:
What should Ofo have done?
1) Partner with a major digital platform ASAP. No matter what it takes.
2) Copy Hellobike. Avoid the competition. Go to markets or segments with little competition and try to get to operating break-even.
3) Split the company into a good co and bad co. Fund the good company and don't tie it to the cash drain of the bad co.
4) Carl Icahn option. Go activist investor and try to split the company, replace management or other.
What would you recommend to the CEO?

Write 3 paragraphs with your answer. Do it on your smartphone. Or a PC. Or a piece of paper (take a picture and save it).
Think about bundling and the emergence of greater ecosystems.

The McKinsey slide cited is here.
Articles / podcasts cited in this class:

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

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Should Vipshop Build a Logistics Network Like JD? (7) Dec 11, 2019

In this class, I discuss Vipshop and JD. And how smaller ecommerce sites can compete with larger players in China, especially in logistics.
You can sign-up for my Asia Tech course here. Or at my website www.jefftowson.com. With a 30-day free trial. You can subscribe at iTunes at the above button.
The exercise for this class is:
Which of these three options make sense for Vipshop in logistics?
1) Copy JD: Build an in-house logistics and delivery network.
2) Copy Alibaba: Work with multiple partners (in logistics and/or ecommerce).
3) Outsource logistics: Find a partner or contractor for this. Just be an ecommerce site.

Now make a decision: What would you recommend to the CEO?

Write 3 paragraphs with your answer. Do it on your smartphone. Or a PC. Or a piece of paper (take a picture and save it).
Think about versioning and competitive advantage.

Articles cited in this class:

An Introduction to the Sexy but Dangerous Economics of Digital

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

Will Luckin, Mobike, Didi or WeWork Ever Be Profitable? (6) Dec 01, 2019

In this class, I discuss Didi, Luckin and Mobike and how to predict if they will ever be profitable.
Exercise for this class:

For Mobike, Luckin or Didi, think about the following two aspects.
- Consumer view: What do they care about? What is their journey for buying and using?
- Competitor: Could a well-funded, well-run competitor take 10-20% of their business? Five forces and competitive advantage are useful here.
- Digital economics: Do any of the following really change their business? Or your answers to the above?
  - Zero marginal cost of production
  - Non-rival goods. Can be used by multiple customers simultaneously.
  - Durable vs. consumed as a product or service.
  - Low or zero distribution costs. Does it have global reach?
Now make a decision: Will this business be profitable? Will the unit economics be positive eventually?
- Write 3 paragraphs with your answer. Do it on your smartphone. Or a PC. Or a piece of paper (take a picture and save it).

Articles cited in this class:

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

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Behind the Scenes with Alibaba on Singles' Day (5) Nov 16, 2019

This is the fifth episode of my Asia tech class. It is a summary of my time with Alibaba on Singles' Day in China.
———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

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How Did Alibaba Beat Everyone? Products vs. Digital Platforms (4) Nov 04, 2019

This is the fourth episode of my Asia tech class. It is an introduction to Alibaba and platform business models.
Exercise:

For a shopping mall, credit card and conference (or convention), decide who are the core users, what is the type of interaction, and what is the frequency of interaction? Write it down.

———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

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How Should Starbucks China Have Responded to Luckin Coffee? (3) Oct 27, 2019

This is the third episode for my Asia tech class. It asks how Starbucks China should have responded to the rapid entrance of Luckin Coffee in 2018.
You can vote here or below).
You can post your 3 minute pitch to the CEO here.
———
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

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What Should Giant Bicycles Have Done About Mobike, Ofo and China Bike-Sharing? (2) Sep 17, 2019

This is the second episode (and first case) for my Asia tech class. It is about what the leading bike manufacturers (like Giant) should have done in response to the rapid rise of China bike-sharing.
You can do the voting for the case here (or below).
———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

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Introduction to Jeff's Asia Tech Class (1) Sep 13, 2019

This is a short introduction to my Asia Tech class.
———-
I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.
I also run Jeff’s Asia Tech Class, a podcast and subscription newsletter on the strategies of China / Asia tech companies.
This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.
www.jefftowson.com

Support the show

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