

The Tech Strategy Podcast
Jeffrey Towson
A podcast by TechMoat Consulting on the strategies and best practices of leading digital companies. Especially in China / Asia. Tech Strategy offers:-Deep dives into the strategies and business models of leading tech companies. -Best practices and lessons in 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 28, 2023 • 39min
CRAs Are the Path From Digital Operating Activities to Moats (2 of 2) (201)
This week’s podcast is Part 2 of Capabilities, Resources and Assets (CRAs). They are a key part of strategy. And link operating performance with structural advantages. Here is Part 1.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.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.McKinsey’s Framework for Intangible AssetsInnovation / Creative Assets. Digital and Analytics Assets. Human and Relational Assets. This has two sub-types. This is any time, effort or money spent on:Building individual or organizational skills through training within an organization. Building ecosystems and networks external the organization is also important. Brand Assets. ——–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 27, 2023 • 40min
The 4 Pillars of Baidu's AI Cloud Strategy (2 of 2) (200)
This week’s podcast is part 2 of a deep dive into Baidu Cloud, a leading provider of cloud and intelligence services. And arguably China’s AI leader.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 four pillars:Pillar 1: Baidu AI Cloud Is an Innovation Platform Pushing to Reach Critical MassPillar 2: Baidu AI Cloud Is Also Moving to Become a Technology Standard Deeper in the AI Tech StackPillar 3: Baidu’s AI-Focused Cloud Has 2 Advantages Over Other Innovation PlatformsPillar 4: Baidu's AI Cloud Is a Flywheel in Industry-Specific Intelligence ------------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 26, 2023 • 41min
Why iQIYI Is the GenAI Innovator to Watch in Video Entertainment (199)
This week’s podcast is a deep dive into iQIYI's activities in generative AI, which is a natural evolution from their long focus on digital transformation.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 24, 2023 • 50min
A Breakdown of Reddit's Really Simple Business Model (198)
This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Reddit, the "community of communities, driven by interests and passions".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 23, 2023 • 36min
Baidu's AI Cloud Strategy Is Great. It's a Flywheel in Industry-Specific Intelligence. (197)
This week’s podcast is a deep dive into Baidu Cloud, a leading provider of cloud and intelligence services. And arguably China's AI leader.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 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


