The Tech Strategy Podcast

This week’s podcast is about Warren Buffett and combining competitive advantage with compounding.You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya. Slides are on my webpage.—–—Related articles:I Took 20 Peking University Students to Lunch with Warren Buffett (Again). Here’s What Happened. (Pt 1 of 4)3 Life Lessons from Lunch with Warren BuffettFrom the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:CompoundingCompetitive AdvantageFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:Warren Buffett / Berkshire Hathaway-------I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.I also run Tech Strategy, 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

This week’s podcast is about Dingdong, a specialty ecommerce player in China focused on fresh groceries. It has gone public while still operating profit negative - but brings to mind a similar situation with Meituan at IPO.You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.—–---Related articles:Should Vipshop Build a Logistics Network Like JD? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 7)The Pros and Cons of Farfetch’s Global Luxury Marketplace (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Update)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Purchasing EconomiesEconomies of Scale - Geographic DensityExplore and ExploitFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:Dingdong———I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.I also run Tech Strategy, 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

Explore the intricate world of logistics with insights into the Full Truck Alliance, where complex network effects shape the freight marketplace. Discover the challenges of matching supply and demand in less-than-full truckload shipping, driven by booming e-commerce. Delve into how digital solutions revolutionize the industry, enhancing connections between shippers and truckers. Learn about technological innovations that are streamlining long-haul operations, and the implications of IPOs in this rapidly evolving tech landscape.

This week’s podcast is about Skillz and Electronic Arts. There are some interesting and evolving strategy aspects to gaming - especially as it goes to multiplayer and tournaments. And as Skillz opens up tournament gaming based on cash rewards, the question is how far into gambling is this going to go?You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas—–—Related articles:Ant Financial and the 3 Types of Network Effects (Asia Tech Strategy – Podcast 86)A Day in the Life of a Didi Chuxing Driver (Pt 1 of 3)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Network EffectsShare of the Consumer MindFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:SkillzElectronic Arts———I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.I also run Tech Strategy, 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

This week’s podcast is about Didi's upcoming IPO. They have released their numbers and it shows market dominance but operating losses. This is my explanation for what is happening. And what their strategic plan means.You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.How I breakdown:Market size and/or growthCompetitive strength and defensibilityUnit economicsQuestions for network effects:Local vs. regional vs. international network effects?Fast vs. slow network effects?Degree vs. value of connections?Minimum viable scale vs. asymptotic scale? What is congestion / saturation / degradation scale?Linear vs. exponential growth at different scales?—–---Related articles:Ant Financial and the 3 Types of Network Effects (Asia Tech Strategy – Podcast 86)A Day in the Life of a Didi Chuxing Driver (Pt 1 of 3)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Network Effects: IndirectEconomies of Scale: Purchasing Economies5 Forces: Substitutes5 Forces: Threat of New EntrantsFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:Didi---------I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.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 separating networks (an asset) from platforms (a business model) from network effects (a phenomenon). And the three standard types of network effects.You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.I put network effects into 3 types:Direct (One-Sided) Network EffectsIndirect (Two-Sided) Network EffectsStandardization and Interoperability Network EffectsI put networks into 3 types:Physical NetworksProtocol NetworksPeople Networks——–Related articles:Ant Financial Is 3 Platform Business Models Combined. (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson / Update)Ant Financial’s Big Money is in Asset-Light Credit Tech (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson / Update)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:3 Networks vs. 5 Platforms vs. 3 Network EffectsNetwork Effects: Direct and IndirectNetwork Effects: Standardization and InteroperabilityFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:Ant Financial-------------I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.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 "criticality" as a type of switching cost. And specifically about Wabco, one of Warren Buffett's companies that has fairly powerful B2B criticality.You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.——–Related articles:Waze, Google Maps and How Warren Buffett Made 50% on a Map Company (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Update)Warren Buffett On Becoming a Better Person (Daily Lesson – Jeff’s Asia Tech Class)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Switching CostsB2B Customer View: Necessary vs. Critical vs. StrategicFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:WabcoWarren Buffett / Berkshire Hathaway——–I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.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 how traditionally great logistics businesses like DHL and JD Logistics are doing major digital upgrades. It's a big unknown but it all looks pretty attractive.You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.—-----Related articles:JD Logistics and the Dream of Smart, Automated Logistics at Scale (1 of 2) (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)Will JD Logistics Become a New Type of Ecosystem? (Asia Tech Strategy – Podcast 71)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Standardization and Interconnection Network EffectEconomies of Scale: Geographic DensityFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:DHLJD Logistics--------I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.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 US-China DTC retailer Shein, which has rocketed upwards in the past months. Analysts are starting to pay close attention - but consumers have been noticing this company for a while.You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.The mentioned article by Packy McCormick and Matthew Brennan is Shein: The TikTok of Ecommerce. —–—-Related articles:JD and Competitive Advantages vs. Entry Barriers in China Retail (Daily Lesson – Jeff’s Asia Tech Class)JD and the Power of Production Cost Advantages in Retail (Daily Lesson – Jeff’s Asia Tech Class)Don’t Go Gaga Over Shein’s “Ultra-Fast Fashion” Model. It’s Mostly a Low-Priced DTC Apparel Story. (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update) From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:Competitive Advantage: Rate of LearningSMILE Marathon: Rate of LearningShare of Consumer MindEconomies of ScaleBargaining Power with Suppliers / Purchasing EconomiesFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:Shein———–I write and speak about digital China and Asia’s latest tech trends.I also run Asia Tech Strategy, 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

This podcast is about Alibaba's 2020 earnings and the strategy implications. But it is really about how Alibaba is positioned as a "product / service + commerce infrastructure" business. And whether ByteDance can break into Chinese ecommerce with an "attention + mini programs strategy". It's really a cool and important question.You can listen to this podcast here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya.The cited Alibaba presentations are here:AliViews: Daniel Zhang on Alibaba Earnings and Future GrowthAlibaba Group Announces March Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2021 ResultsThe cited Bloomberg article on ByteDance is here:ByteDance Eyes a New $185 Billion Business Ahead of Mega IPOThe cited quotes from Alibaba are below. And at my webpage.“During the past fiscal year, we made significant progress on our three key strategies, namely domestic consumption, globalization and cloud computing. Such progress demonstrated the tremendous power of Alibaba’s digital commerce infrastructure as well as our long-term commitment to invest for the future and to create value for our consumers, merchants and partners through innovations. ”"We believe the key to unlocking the full value of the community marketplace model is not only about the standalone P&L of the business but also about the overall efficiency and servicing capabilities of the entire commerce platform where the business sits, and we believe the latter can generate far greater value than the former. Alibaba has the most sophisticated and efficient commerce infrastructure in China, with the most comprehensive product and service offerings to serve consumers of diverse segmentation and demands."—–—-Related articles:Alibaba Takes Over Sun Art Retail. Is It Going to Take Off? Or Is It Infrastructure? (pt 1 of 2) (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)Could Sun Art Grow +30% Under Alibaba? (pt 2 of 2) (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)From the Concept Library, concepts for this article are:New RetailOnline Merge Offline (OMO)Mini ProgramsFrom the Company Library, companies for this article are:AlibabaByteDance-----------Support the show