
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.comTo 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.
Latest episodes

Dec 22, 2023 • 34min
3 Lessons from Alibaba Cloud’s AI and Big Data Summit (196)
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

Dec 21, 2023 • 50min
Will Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Win Big in Human Capital and Non-Human Workforces? (195)
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

Dec 20, 2023 • 43min
Why TikTok Shop is a Big Problem for Etsy (194)
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

Dec 19, 2023 • 38min
Facebook Meta is Mostly 4 Networks and 2 Platforms (193)
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 networksAudience-builder platformsLimited ecosystemsProfit vs engagement productsHierarchies of controlSubstitutes 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

Dec 18, 2023 • 38min
BYD Is Running China's "Manufacturing to the World” Playbook (192)
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 UnsplashSupport the show

Dec 17, 2023 • 40min
3 Factors Will Determine the Future of Verisign Inc. (191)
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:A Digital Strategy Breakdown of Salesforce. Spoiler: It’s Awesome (1 of 3) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)A Strategy Breakdown of Arm Holdings (1 of 3) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)3 Digital Concepts Powering ARM Holdings (2 of 4) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:CA16: State-Granted Competitive AdvantagesStandardization Network EffectsSubstitutesFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:Verisign 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

Dec 15, 2023 • 27min
Digital Strategy Lesson: CRAs Are the Path From Operating Activities to Competitive Advantage (1 of 2) (190)
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:Lessons in Digital Operating Basics from Ram Charan. Part 1 of 2 on “Rethinking Competitive Advantage”. (Asia Tech Strategy – Podcast 98)Meituan vs. Ctrip vs. Alibaba: Who Will Win in China Services? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 22)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Capabilities, Resources and AssetsIntangible AssetsSerial MoatsFrom 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

Dec 9, 2023 • 41min
The 4 Digital Concepts Powering Salesforce, Inc. (Tech Strategy - Podcast 189)
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:A Digital Strategy Breakdown of Salesforce. Spoiler: It’s Awesome (1 of 3) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)A Strategy Breakdown of Arm Holdings (1 of 3) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)3 Digital Concepts Powering ARM Holdings (2 of 4) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:SaaSSwitching Costs: Financial, Procedural, Relational and RiskEconomies of Scale: Fixed Costs: Specialized, Cumulative and NicheEnterprise Software: CRMFrom 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

Dec 8, 2023 • 33min
The Arm Holdings' China Question (188)
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------ 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

Dec 7, 2023 • 40min
The 4 Digital Concepts Powering Arm Holdings (187)
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 EffectsIndirect Network Effects by linkage with Operating System Innovation PlatformEconomies of Scale in R&DSwitching 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
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