The Impulso Podcast

Shawn Teow, live commerce expert, discusses the patchy state of live commerce in Southeast Asia due to different platform focuses. He explores the competition among TikTok, Shopee, and Facebook, highlighting audience growth, content quality, and domestic brands' roles. The discussion delves into predictions on the future of live commerce in the region.

Both Starbucks and Luckin Coffee recently unveiled their Q1 2024 earnings, eliciting varied market responses.   In China, Starbucks faced a challenging quarter with comparable store sales declining by 11%, attributed to an 8% drop in average ticket sales. Meanwhile, Luckin has stayed committed to rapid expansion, opening over 2,000 stores in Q1, albeit at a slower pace than usual. Who is winning in China's competitive coffee scene?   Tune in as we delve into the latest results of these two coffee giants, the evolving landscape of coffee consumption in China, and examine the competitive dynamics between traditional giants and agile disruptors in the digital age.   Featured materials:  Coffee in Southeast Asia, Momentum Works Sip, Innovate, Repeat: Immersive Workshop, Momentum Works  E63: How does Luckin Coffee open 1000 new stores every month?!, The Impulso Podcast E65: Will health labels reduce bubble tea consumption? The Luckin x Moutai partnership that sold 5 mil cups of coffee in one day, ThelowDown

Discussion of different MCN business models, from KOL-led networks to celebrity rosters and studio-first players. Walkthroughs of studio setups, real-time decision making during live streams, and team management practices. Exploration of offline strategies like store-based streaming and reasons MCNs diversify into supply chains, brands and real estate to stay competitive.

Jing Li, founder and CEO of Sirius Technologies and former lead architect at WeBank, who built event-driven, domain-driven banking systems. She talks about WeBank’s embedded finance strategy and rapid MVP launches. She explains fusion teams, the enterprise architect role, and using domain-driven and event-driven design for composable, bite-sized innovation.

Connor Li, head of curriculum at Jitang and former language teacher, trains KOCs for China’s live commerce scene. He discusses the shift from KOL-led streams to KOC-driven trust, how Jitang recruits and equips part-time sellers, measuring KOC ROI, and practical brand strategies for low-risk live commerce trials.

Sabrina (Wei Han), Momentum Works team member who runs live commerce immersions and operations, shares vivid tales from visits to top MCNs in China. Short takes cover massive studio setups, hosts as theatrical performers, AI virtual avatars and legal/IP angles. They also touch on data‑driven SOPs, hybrid human‑AI shows, and the challenges of expanding into Southeast Asia.

In a recent interview, Joe Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba, redefined Alibaba’s customers as users shopping on their apps, a shift from their previous focus on merchants. This marks a shift from their previous emphasis on merchants, and with Alibaba's revenue historically heavily reliant on merchant advertising, Alibaba’s shift towards user-centricity challenges this model.    So, what does this mean for Alibaba's strategy moving forward? How will Alibaba balance between user and merchant satisfaction?     As Alibaba undergoes its biggest transformation yet, its leaders will have to make crucial decisions. Joe Tsai stresses the importance of humility and leaders being willing to acknowledge mistakes and pivot or backtrack on decisions when necessary.   Featured materials:Joe Tsai Co-founder & Chair of Alibaba | In Good Company | Norges Bank Investment Management, Norges bank Investment Management  Transforming Alibaba, Momentum Works E70: Succession – successful tech founders’ dilemma, The Impulso Podcast E68: Alibaba is giving up on new retail, The Impulso Podcast E47: Why does Alibaba replace taobao CEO?, The Impulso Podcast

From Alibaba to Meta, and now Meituan, it seems like founders and co-founders can’t retire.    Wang Huiwen's recent return to Meituan, albeit as a part-time consultant, raises questions about why founders struggle to leave their companies. His departure and subsequent comeback highlight the complexities of succession planning and the unique role founders play in navigating turbulent times.   It’s true that leadership transitions in tech are complicated due to the fast-paced environment and constant need for innovation, but is this really the main issue for lack of/ poor succession planning?    Join us in this episode as we delve into the intricacies of organisational leadership, the search for suitable successors, and the importance of trust.    Featured materials:Why did Meituan buy a generative AI company?, TheLowDown Why Meituan CEO takes over overseas businesses?, The Impulso Podcast

They dig into why BNPL schemes are collapsing in Singapore and what makes the model different from credit cards. Topics include merchant economics and who pays the fees. Listeners hear about customer acquisition hurdles, which product categories suit BNPL, and why platform-linked services outperform standalone apps.

A deep look at Hema’s future after a leadership shakeup and what it means for Alibaba’s offline retail bets. They explore Hema’s tech-first store design, its premium positioning and the pressures from value-focused rivals. Discussion covers restructuring moves, landlord tensions from online orders, and possible paths like turnaround, divestment or mass-market pivots.