The Tech Strategy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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.
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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.

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

Show notes

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)
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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.

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

Show notes

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
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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

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

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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.
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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

Show notes

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.

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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:

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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 Salesforce, Inc. (Tech Strategy - Podcast 189) Dec 09, 2023

Show notes

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

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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

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

Show notes

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.
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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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

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