The Tech Strategy Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This week’s podcast is about the recent wave of Chinese tech companies that is shocking Western businesses and politicians.

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.

The mega-trends that matter here are:

• Rising Chinese consumers
• Manufacturing scale
• Brainpower behemoth
• Money

Here is DeepSeek. You can try it for free here:

• chat.deepseek.com

And you can try Alibaba's Qwen here.

• https://chat.qwenlm.ai/

You can try Kling AI here.

• https://klingai.com/

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Related articles:

• BYD Is Going for Global EV Leadership (1 of 2) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• A Strategy Breakdown of Arm Holdings (1 of 3) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

• EV AV Auto
• Robotics
• GenAI

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

• BYD
• Unitree
• Kuaishou / Kling AI
• Huawei
• Baidu AI Cloud
• Alibaba Cloud
• MiniMax / Hailuo AI
• DeepSeek

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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

This week’s podcast is about Alibaba.

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 the 4 engines:

1. Re-Igniting Growth in Their Now Re-Organized Ecommerce Business
2. Accelerating the Build Out of their Global Smart Logistics Network – Starting with Cross-Border Express Delivery
3. Big Investments in Alibaba Cloud. With Price Cuts to Push Adoption.
4. Pioneering New and Game Changing GenAI Services

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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

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).

1. Brand advocates
2. Multicategory
3. Single-category regulars
4. Deal seekers
5. Disengaged
6. 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

This week’s podcast is about AB InBev's rapidly rising beverage delivery service Ze Delivery. I visited the facilities and spoke with CEO Rudolfo Chung. It's a fascinating business model.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.

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Related articles:

• Why I Really Like Amazon’s Strategy, Despite the Crap Consumer Experience (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• 3 Big Questions for GoTo (Gojek + Tokopedia) Going Forward (2 of 2)(Winning Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• Why Netflix and Amazon Prime Don’t Have Long-Term Power. (2 of 2) (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

• Linked businesses
• Geographic density

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

• Ze Delivery
• Ab InBev
• iFood

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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

This week’s podcast is about important digital changes happening in ecommerce and retail, and that are mostly coming out of China / Asia.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.

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Related articles:

• Why I Really Like Amazon’s Strategy, Despite the Crap Consumer Experience (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• 3 Big Questions for GoTo (Gojek + Tokopedia) Going Forward (2 of 2)(Winning Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• Why Netflix and Amazon Prime Don’t Have Long-Term Power. (2 of 2) (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

• Digital Operating Basics 2: Digital Core
• Digital Operating Basics 3: Personalization and Customer Improvements

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

• n/a

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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.

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 Steam and Garena, which are good examples of specialty gaming businesses.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.

Here are my criteria for specialty ecommerce businesses.

1. Is the company sufficiently differentiated in the user experience?
2. Can the company compete and/or differentiate in logistics or infrastructure without ongoing spending?
3. Does the company have a strong competitive advantage in a circumscribed market?
4. Is there a clear path to significant operational cash flow?
5. Has the company avoided markets and situations that are attractive or strategic for the major ecommerce companies?

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Related articles:

• Why I Really Like Amazon’s Strategy, Despite the Crap Consumer Experience (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• 3 Big Questions for GoTo (Gojek + Tokopedia) Going Forward (2 of 2)(Winning Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• Why Netflix and Amazon Prime Don’t Have Long-Term Power. (2 of 2) (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

• Marketplace Platforms
• Innovation and Audience Builder Platforms
• Specialty Gaming Businesses
• Gaming and Game Engines

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

• Garena
• Steam / Valve

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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

This week’s podcast is about digital content businesses, which are entirely digital economics. They can have great economics but absolutely need a moat.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.

Three digital content strategies I do like are:

• Network effects with long-tail of UGC. Such as YouTube and TikTok.
• Creates durable IP. Such as Disney.
• Service and community businesses that uses content.

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Related articles:

• Why I Really Like Amazon’s Strategy, Despite the Crap Consumer Experience (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• 3 Big Questions for GoTo (Gojek + Tokopedia) Going Forward (2 of 2)(Winning Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• Why Netflix and Amazon Prime Don’t Have Long-Term Power. (2 of 2) (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

• Economics of Digital / Information
• Soft Advantages: Bundling and Cross-Selling
• Digital Operating Basics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime Video
• Singapore Press Holding

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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.

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 economies of scale - and why it is still the standard strategy. Especially in specialized areas and niche markets.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.

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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.

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 the human capital part of the digital operating basics. Specifically, DOB5: Leadership and management and DOB6: People, Culture and Teams. Middle Eastern retailer is a good example of a company that has been focusing on this area.

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.
 
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Related articles:

• Why I Really Like Amazon’s Strategy, Despite the Crap Consumer Experience (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• 3 Big Questions for GoTo (Gojek + Tokopedia) Going Forward (2 of 2)(Winning Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

• Operating Performance = Smarter, Faster, Better
• DOB5: Leadership and Management
• DOB6: People, Culture and Teams

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

• Majid Al Futtaim

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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

This week’s podcast is about web3 strategy and business models. It's a big confusing and still evolving space. But I think there are 5 really important concepts to understand (in terms of strategy).

You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes and Google Podcasts.

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Related articles:

• Why I Really Like Amazon’s Strategy, Despite the Crap Consumer Experience (US-Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
• 3 Big Questions for GoTo (Gojek + Tokopedia) Going Forward (2 of 2)(Winning Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:

• Protocol Networks (Blockchain) with Property Rights
• Composability
• Value Creation vs. Value Distribution
• Points of Control
• Token economics

From the Company Library, companies for this article are:

• Ethereum
• Bitcoin

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Support the show