The Tech Strategy Podcast

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:An Intro to Discount Rates and Cost of Capital for Digital Valuation (Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)Why DCF Sucks for Digital Valuation. (Tech Strategy – Podcast 101)An Intro to Digital Valuation (Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Capabilities, Resources and Assets (CRAs)Machine learning / AISMILE Marathon: Machine LearningFrom 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

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:Lessons from Grab in Geographic Density and Other Tech Enabled Cost Efficiencies (3 of 4) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)How Alibaba Freshippo and Dingdong Got to Profitability in Ecommerce Groceries (1 of 2) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)How Alibaba Freshippo and Dingdong Got to Profitability in Ecommerce Groceries (2 of 2) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Economies of Scale: Geographic and Distribution DensityEcommerceFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:GrabDingdong——–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

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:The One Hour China Consumer Book: Five Short Stories That Explain the Brutal Fight for One Billion ConsumersThe One Hour China Book: All of China Business Explained in Six Short Stories———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/aFrom 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

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 MindDigital Marathon: Ecosystem / Platform ParticipationCPG and FMCGFrom 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

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:The Winners and Losers in ChatGPT (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)Why ChatGPT and Generative AI Are a Mortal Threat to Disney, Netflix and Most Hollywood Studios (Tech Strategy – Podcast 150)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Generative AI7 Digital SuperpowersFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:MidjourneyRunwayOpenAI / 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

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.laHere is the link to the China Tech Tour.——--Related articles:The Winners and Losers in ChatGPT (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)Why ChatGPT and Generative AI Are a Mortal Threat to Disney, Netflix and Most Hollywood Studios (Tech Strategy – Podcast 150)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Generative AIAI-Powered Service Business ModelFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:MidjourneyOpenAI / ChatGPTYouTubeTikTok———–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

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.laHere is the link to the China Tech Tour.McKinsey’s Framework for Intangible AssetsInnovation / 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 riskSupport the show

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 / ChatGPTOpenAI / DALL-EMidjourneySynthesiaAIVALexicaWellsaidlabs5 Winners in Generative AISpecific, 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 servicesAudience builder platforms Learning platformsCreator tools providers with standardization Network Effects, such as Adobe.2 Likely Losers in Generative AIContent 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:The Winners and Losers in ChatGPT (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)Why I Don't Like Netflix, Singapore Press and Most Digital Content Businesses (136)Why Netflix and Amazon Prime Don’t Have Long-Term Power. (2 of 2) (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)———-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

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 DigitalFocus 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:Zé Delivery’s “Wow” Experiences vs. Ant’s Sustained Innovation Imperative (1 of 2) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)Why I Really Like Amazon’s Strategy, Despite the Crap Consumer Experience (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:DOB3: Digital Core for Management and OperationsDOB4: Connectedness, Interoperability and Collaboration-Based Business Models.SMILE Marathon: Ecosystem / Platform Orchestration or ParticipationFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:AB InBev / Ze DeliveryNikeCPG———-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

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:An Intro to Growth and “Birds in the Bush” in Digital Valuation (Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)An Intro to Discount Rates and Cost of Capital for Digital Valuation (Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)Why DCF Sucks for Digital Valuation. (Tech Strategy – Podcast 101)An Intro to Digital Valuation (Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)Valuation Like Warren Buffett in 1 Slide (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Valuation (Question 3): Digital ValuationValuation: Bird in Hand vs. BushValuation: Growth, ROIC/RONIC and ValueFrom 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