This week’s podcast is about Alibaba and Singles’ Day. Just my thoughts on what really matters.

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

Here is my new book (released December 1):

• Moats and Marathons (Part 1): How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses Kindle Edition

My list of 7 things people are getting wrong about Singles’ Day:

1. Business model is about building demand-side scale. This is also about economies of scale as a relative advantage.
2. Operating model is about user-facing innovation that adds value.
3. Consumer facing innovation is likely about live-streaming, metaverse and NFTs.
4. Merchant-facing innovation is likely about R&D and financing.
5. Physical assets have traditionally been about supply-side scale and building a barrier to entry.
6. Alibaba is also separating supply side into a new business that is the “new infrastructure of commerce”.
7. Singles Day is both a moonshot program and a yearly stress test for the company.

Here are the Digital Operating Basics

Here is the Alibaba slides for adding value to merchants.

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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.

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.