The Tech Strategy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

3 Lessons from My Visit to Trip.com (234) Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

This week’s podcast is about my visit to Trip.com in Shanghai.
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 Tech Tours.
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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 Threads Might Beat X-Twitter After All (233) Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

This week’s podcast is about Threads (Meta Facebook) vs. X (Twitter).
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 Tech Tours.
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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

3 Take-Aways from My Interview with Alibaba Cloud (232) Dec 15, 2024

Show notes

This week’s podcast is about my interview with Dongliang Guo, Head of International at Alibaba Cloud.
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 Tech Tours.
Here are my 3 take-aways:

Take-Away 1: Alibaba Cloud is Focused on the Infrastructure and Model Layers. It Is Differentiating its GenAI with an Open-Source Ecosystem (i.e., ModelScope) and Model Building Tools.
Take-Away 2: Southeast Asia Cloud Computing is Being “Fixed”. And Also Reshaped for GenAI.
Take-Away 3: GenAI Has Surprising High Impact Use Cases Everywhere.

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

Extreme Personalization: How GenAI Can Supercharge Customer Improvements (231) Dec 08, 2024

Show notes

This week’s podcast is my playbook for Extreme Personalization. And how generative AI can supercharge never-ending customer improvements.
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 Tech Tours.
Here is more on 4 stages.

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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

3 Ecommerce Lessons from My Visits to China’s Digital Leaders (230) Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

This week’s podcast is what I learned about ecommerce from my visits to China's leading players.
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.
Lesson 1: GenAI Is accelerating and intensifying the fight for attention and ecommerce
Lesson 2: Cross-Border ecommerce is a big opportunity that is growing. Chinese companies are leading.
Lesson 3: Discounts and promotions are still king in ecommerce. Ctrip is awesome at this.
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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 Cainiao Will Win in Smart Logistics Everywhere (229) Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

This week’s podcast is about how Cainiao is expanding internationally with smart logistics.
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

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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 stages of extreme personalization and customer improvements.
Stage 1 - Personalization Marathon
Stage 2 - Repeat and Retain Machine.

Also move beyond just sales transactions. Do experience management.

Stage 3 - Surround Customers with Value. Add complementary services. Bundles. Consumption ecosystems.

Including AI services. This is where the Rate of Learning Marathon really matters. Watch for machine learning operating flywheels.

Stage 4 - Build a Moat

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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

Everything is Politics Now: The Dark Side of Digital Networks (226) Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

This week’s podcast is about how non-rational behavior plays out products / services, consumer behavior and network effects. Digital tools are making tribal and belief network effects more sophisticated, surgical and powerful.
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

Show notes

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.
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