The Tech Strategy Podcast - podcast cover

The Tech Strategy Podcast

Jeffrey Towsonwww.jefftowson.com

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.com

To 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

5 Ways 5G and 5.5G Are Game Changers for Business (182)

This week’s podcast is about 5G and 5.5G (also called 5G-Advanced). This is a short-list of scenarios where they are going to have a big impact. 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 are the 5 scenarios: Glasses Free 3D Self-Guided Vehicles Next Gen Manufacturing Cellular IoT Intelligent Computing Everywhere -----...

Oct 15, 202339 minSeason 1Ep. 182

Is Life Just AI Agents Plus Gaming Engines? (181)

This week’s podcast is about digital and AI agents. This will lead to the emergence of non-human platforms and business models. 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 the podcast mentioned. —–-- Related articles: AutoGPT and Other Tech I Am Super Excited About (Tech Strategy – Podcast 162) The Winners and Losers...

Oct 09, 202335 minSeason 1Ep. 181

Huawei's New AI Tech Stack and "All Intelligence" Strategy (180)

This week’s podcast is about Huawei's new AI tech stack, which is impressive in its ability to provide end-to-end solutions. Also their new "All Intelligence" Strategy. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting . ——— Related articles: What TikTok Can Learn From Huawei About t...

Sep 29, 202339 minSeason 1Ep. 180

3 Take-Aways from My Interview with Lazada CEO James Dong. And CTO Howard Wang (179)

This week’s podcast is about my interviews with Lazada CEO James Dong and CTO Howard Wang. Here are my 3 three take-aways. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting . ———— Related articles: JD’s Emerging Competitive Advantages? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson / Update) JD’s Is Making...

Sep 22, 202343 minSeason 1Ep. 179

My Predictions for Apple vs. Huawei in China (178)

This week’s podcast is about the high profile events at both Apple and Huawei in China this month. Here’s my breakdown on what it means. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting . --------- Related articles: What TikTok Can Learn From Huawei About the Role of the State (Jeff’s Asia Tech Cl...

Sep 14, 202347 minSeason 1Ep. 178

JD's Big Play for Low Cost China (177)

This week’s podcast is about some big moves at JD.com - especially their big strategic move to go after the low-cost market of China. Here's my breakdown on what it means. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting —- Related articles: JD’s Emerging Competitive Advantages? (Jeff’s Asia ...

Sep 07, 202339 minSeason 1Ep. 177

Understanding Hyper-Politicized China (176)

This week’s podcast is about the current hyper-politicization of all things China. It's my take for assessing what it means. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting . ----—- Related articles: Ant Financial Is 3 Platform Business Models Combined. (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson...

Aug 28, 202343 minSeason 1Ep. 176

3 Rules for Winning Big in Digital (175)

This week’s podcast is about digital transformation, which is a long-term and complicated effort by established companies. This podcast is about what really matters. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting . Here are the three rules: Rule 1: The Need for Speed Rule 2: Intangibles - You Ne...

Aug 23, 202335 minSeason 1Ep. 175

3 Strategy Lessons from My Visit to Ant (174)

This week’s podcast is about my visit to Ant Group. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at 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 retaile...

Aug 13, 202335 minSeason 1Ep. 174

The Sexy But Dangerous Economics of Digital (173)

This week’s podcast is about digital / information economics. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting . —-- Related articles: Can ByteDance Breach Alibaba’s Infrastructure Moat and Become An Ecommerce Giant? (Tech Strategy – Podcast 82) Alibaba Takes Over Sun Art Retail. Is It Going to Ta...

Aug 04, 202332 min

What's Next for iQIYI and Video Entertainment? (172)

This week's podcast is about my visit to iQIYI. And what I think is coming next for video entertainment under major digital disruption. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting . -------- Related articles: Can ByteDance Breach Alibaba’s Infrastructure Moat and Become An Ecommerce Gian...

Jul 23, 202337 minSeason 1Ep. 172

Threads Will Beat Twitter (Assuming Good Engagement and Product Market Fit) (171)

This week’s podcast is about the recent launch of Threads, Meta's clone of Twitter. My assessment is that Threads will likely beat Twitter. However, this depends on Treads getting product market fit. They have to get and retain actual engagement at significant. If that doesn't happen, then none of my strategy analysis matters. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking...

Jul 12, 202344 minSeason 1Ep. 171

Huawei Launches 5.5G. Plus, Lessons from the Shanghai Mobile World Conference. (170)

This week’s podcast is about my visit to the Shanghai Mobile World Conference. And the Huawei 5.5G R&D Center. These are my takeaways for what is going to happen next in digital infrastructure. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you’re interested in talking digital strategy and transformation for your business, contact us at TechMoat Consulting . ——— Related articles: Can ByteDance Breach Alibab...

Jul 03, 202330 minSeason 1Ep. 170

3 Strategy Lessons from My Visit to ByteDance (169)

This week’s podcast is about my visit to ByteDance, which is just a fascinating company. Lots of good lessons that I will be writing about. Two clarifications: This was a visit to a ByteDance office. Which is a different group than TikTok. The ecommerce GMV numbers cited are from external reports - and not ByteDance or TikTok. And these numbers are likely probably guesses and only somewhat accurate. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available...

Jun 24, 202343 minSeason 1Ep. 169

3 Digital Strategy Lessons from Epic Games and NetEase (168)

This week’s podcast is about NetEase and how gaming ecosystems (like Epic Games) have lots of important digital strategy lessons. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . If you are interesting in discussing your digital strategy, please contact us at TechMoat Consulting . ——– Related podcasts and articles are: JD’s Emerging Competitive Advantages? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson / Update) From the Co...

Jun 17, 202344 minSeason 1Ep. 168

How WeChat Became the Everything App (167)

This week’s podcast is about WeChat, which really has reached a level of daily usage that makes it the "everything app". Here is my breakdown on how it got there strategically. 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 TechMoat Consulting , with the Tech Tour. ———— I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation. I am the founder ...

Jun 10, 202345 minSeason 1Ep. 167

4 Insights from the Head of JD Smart Logistics Park (166)

This week’s podcast is about JD Logistics, which is building a smart logistics network at China scale. I spoke to one of its heads and this is what I learned. 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 TechMoat Consulting . Here is the link to the China Tech Tour . -------- Related podcasts and articles are: JD’s Emerging Competitive Advantages? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Lesson / Upda...

May 27, 202344 minSeason 1Ep. 166

3 Steps to Supercharge Your Business and Career with Generative AI (165)

This week’s podcast is about how generative AI can start improving your business and career. 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 three things you can (should) do right now: Step 1: Develop Staff and Skills in Gen AI (DOB 5, DOB6) Step 2: Use to Improve Internal Productivity Step 3: Use to Improve Products, Services, and the Customer Experience (DOB2...

May 22, 202342 minSeason 1Ep. 165

Yes, OpenAI and Google Will Likely Have Moats in Generative AI (164)

This week’s podcast is about the generative AI foundation models of OpenAI and Google. Will they have competitive defenses? Especially against open source. 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 two articles mentioned: Google “We Have No Moat, And Neither Does OpenAI” . Who Owns the Generative AI Platform? My (working) conclusions are: Technology d...

May 09, 202346 minSeason 1Ep. 164

AutoGPT: The Rise of Digital Agents and Non-Human Platforms & Business Models (163)

This week’s podcast is about AutoGPT / AgentGPT and how it is leading to the rise of digital agents. This will lead to the emergence of non-human platforms and business models. 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 . ----—– Related articles: AutoGPT and Other Tech I Am Super Excited About (Tech Strategy – Podcast 162) Th...

May 04, 202343 minSeason 1Ep. 163

AutoGPT and Other Tech I Am Super Excited About (162)

This week’s podcast is about AutoGPT / AgentGPT and two other cool new technologies. 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 are the three technologies mentioned: 5.5G and immersive and experiential video everywhere. AutoGPT and AgentGPT. Human organizational structure adopting software architecture. —–--- Related a...

Apr 26, 202329 minSeason 1Ep. 162

Why TikTok and Shein Won Internationally. And Why WeChat and Kuaishou Didn't (161).

This week’s podcast is TikTok's international success. 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 are my three factors for succeeding internationally: 1. Has a 10x product and user experience. Plus early mover. Plus big spending (marketing, acquisitions, hiring, etc.) 2. The service is standardizable cross-border....

Apr 18, 202340 minSeason 1Ep. 161

3 Lessons from Huawei's 2022 Financial Report (160)

This week’s podcast is Huawei's recent 2022 financial results and big event. 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 . —– Related articles: My Interview with Huawei’s Guo Ping on Managing People vs. Managing Rules and Systems (Tech Strategy – Daily Strategy) 3 Types of Network Effects (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Lesso...

Apr 06, 202338 minSeason 1Ep. 160

Why American Citizens Must Protect TikTok (For Now) (159)

This week’s podcast is about why Americans must protect TikTok. TikTok is not the big and proven threat to freedom and privacy. The US Censorship Regime is. For now, TikTok is necessary to break the censorship monopoly and restore free speech to Silicon Valley. 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 the statemen...

Mar 29, 202343 minSeason 1Ep. 159

NFX’s 16 Network Effects. Plus, Embedding and Other Small Digital Stuff (158)

This week’s podcast is about network effects, as described by James Courrier and NFX. 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 the NFx Network Effects manual . Here are NFX's 16 network effects, in order of strength: Physical (e.g. landline telephones) Protocol (e.g. Ethernet) Personal Utility (e.g. iMessage,...

Mar 21, 202350 minSeason 1Ep. 158

Why Prediction and Machine Learning Are Not Competitive Advantages Yet (157)

This week’s podcast is about machine learning and prediction as a capability. You can listen to this podcast here , which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts . Here is podcast on the intangible asset framework . Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting . Here is the link to the China Tech Tour . —— Related articles: An Intro to Discount Rates and Cost of Capital for Digital Valuation (Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update) Why DCF Sucks for Digi...

Mar 14, 202344 minSeason 1Ep. 157

Dingdong, Grab and the Struggle for Profits in Ecommerce Services (156)

This week’s podcast is about the struggle of companies like Grab, Dingdong, Meituan, Didi, GoJek and iFood to reach operating profits. 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 . —— Related podcasts and articles are: Lessons from Grab in Geographic Density and Other Tech Enabled Cost Efficiencies (3 of 4) (Tech Strategy – Da...

Mar 10, 202349 minSeason 1Ep. 156

Peter Zeihan and Why the “China Will Collapse” Narrative Is Soooo Stupid (155)

This week’s podcast is a rant about the common "China is going to collapse" narrative. Most recently made by Peter Zeihan on Joe Rogan. 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 . Peter's interview with Joe on China is here . Here is the Bank of Japan study . Here are the two books mentioned: The One Hour Chin...

Feb 27, 202343 min

Monster Energy and How CPG Brands Can Win in Digital (154)

This week’s podcast is about Monster Energy and my approach for winning in digital as a CPG brand. 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 . ——— Related podcasts and articles are: Habits, Chemistry and Mindless Behavior As Competitive Advantages (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update) From the Concept Library , concepts for th...

Feb 21, 202345 minSeason 1Ep. 154

Generative AI's 5 Digital Superpowers (153)

This week’s podcast is about more about generative Ai as a disruptive technology and business model. 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 . ——— Related articles: The Winners and Losers in ChatGPT (Tech Strategy – Daily Article) Why ChatGPT and Generative AI Are a Mortal Threat to Disney, Netflix and Most Hollywood Studi...

Feb 11, 202339 minSeason 1Ep. 153