The Tech Strategy Podcast

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:How Ant Financial / Ant Group is Revolutionizing Finance (1 of 3) (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 47)How Big Will Ant Financial / Alipay Become? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 28)This is part of Learning Goals: Level 8, with a focus on:#32: Adaptation and ResilienceConcepts for this class. Adaptation and ResilienceSMILE Marathon: Sustained InnovationCompanies for this class:Ant Financial / Alipay / Ant GroupAlibaba———-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

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:How Big Will Ant Financial / Alipay Become? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 28)3 Ways AI Is Transforming Fashion: My Interview with JD Vice President of Cloud & AI (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 33)Huawei, Luckin and the SMILE Marathon (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 34)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 MarathonConcepts for this class. The slides discussed in the podcast are located below and correspond to the 4 ideas below.Payment PlatformsSMILE Marathon: Ml / AI factories & human-free operationsCompanies for this class:Ant Financial / Alipay / Ant GroupGraphics 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

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 PinduoduoConcepts 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 EcommerceVirality and Word of MouthExternal View and Base RatesCompanies 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

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:Companies Can Have Digital Superpowers: Lazada vs. Grab. Luckin vs. Hellobike. (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 37)What Is the Secret of Zoom’s Success in Video Communications? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 21)This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7-8, with a focus on:#31: Introduction to PinduoduoConcepts 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 EcommerceVirality and Word of MouthCompanies 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

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 solveWrong ecosystem configurationWrong governance choicesInadequate monetizationWeak launch strategyWeak defensibilityBad executionCited in this talk:Why Do Most Business Ecosystems Fail (BCG)Related podcasts and articles:Xiaomi, Meitu and Why Platforms Fail (1 of 2) (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 43)Review: Why Digital Platforms Are the Super Predators of Business (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 16)This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:#30: Ecosystems vs. Digital PlatformsConcepts for this class:Ecosystems vs. Digital PlatformsSMILE Operational Marathon: Ecosystem Orchestration and ManagementSwitching costsShare of consumer mindCompanies for this class:XiaomiMeitu———-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

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:How Did Alibaba Beat Everyone? Products vs. Digital Platforms. (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 4)Review: Why Digital Platforms Are the Super Predators of Business (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 16)This is part of Learning Goals: Level 7, with a focus on:#30: Ecosystems vs. Digital PlatformsConcepts for this class:Ecosystems vs. Digital PlatformsSMILE Operational Marathon: Ecosystem Shaping and ManagementMismatched and/or Crippled ScaleDigital-Physical HybridsMultihomingBlitzscalingCompanies 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

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 IIRelated podcasts and articles:Review: The Sexy But Dangerous Economics of Digital (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 15)Should Vipshop Build a Logistics Network Like JD? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 7)Concepts for this class:Digital and Information EconomicsNon-Rivalry and Zero Marginal Production CostsVersioning and PricingWillingness to Pay and Consumer SurplusBundling and Cross-SellingComplementsCompanies for this class:SogouTencent———-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

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 EffectsConcepts for this class:Networks Effects NE: Critical Mass and Chicken-and-EggNE: Interaction Failure at ScaleNE: 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

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 MarathonConcepts for this class:MultihomingManagement Track Record and IncentivesCompanies for this class:LazadaShopee———-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

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 StateConcepts for this class:Role of the StateMismatched and/or Crippled ScaleCompanies for this class:TikTok / DouyinBytedanceHuawei———-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