In this class, I talk about the basics of Didi and the importance of switching costs on the supplier side of the platform. You can listen here or at iTunes, Google Podcasts and Himalaya. This is part of Learning Goals: Level 3, with a focus on: #15 Basics of Didi and Switching Costs Pictures […]
Much of our discussion about digital platforms (Alibaba, Tencent, etc.) has been about their business models. And all their strengths, which are formidable. But I haven’t talked much about the experiences of the user groups on these platforms. What does this mean for merchants and brands selling on Alibaba? For restaurants on Meituan? For content […]
Two topics for Today’s Update / Lesson. Tencent Quarterly Results Are Awesome, Yet Again It’s almost boring how these digital giants keep putting up fantastic numbers. Numbers that any other business would dream of. Most businesses are long, hard slogs where you struggle and struggle. Margins are usually small. And growth is difficult and expensive. […]
In this class, I talk about the crazy collision of Ctrip, Meituan and Alibaba in services in China, particularly in hotels. You can listen here or at iTunes and Himalaya. How do Ctrip and Meituan compare in the following aspects? Bundling of services The Assets of a Marketplace Platform: Users, Activity and Data Network Effect […]
This week’s podcast was about Zoom, which is a pretty cool video communications app. What Is the Secret of Zoom’s Success in Video Communications? (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Podcast 21) And I think it’s a particularly good company for talking about two important digital ideas. Learning Goal 14: Virality vs. Word of Mouth Learning […]
In this class, I talk about why Zoom has been so successful in video communications. You can listen here or at iTunes and Himalaya. Choose two options for why Zoom has been so successful. Good Product. Reliable, easy-to-use, high quality video communications. Viral service Collaboration / Coordination Platform Network Effect Switching Costs Correction/Clarification: Zoom has […]
Learning Goals #12 is the “Basics of Tiktok / Douyin and Audience-Builder Platforms”. And as part of this, I’ve been introducing companies that are based on audience builder platforms. These include Tiktok and China Literature Ltd (owned by Tencent), which were discussed in: What Is the Secret of TikTok / Douyin’s Success? (Jeff’s Asia Tech […]
This past week, I’ve been talking about TikTok and Alibaba’s Tudou-Youku as examples of “audience builder” digital platforms. These are +2 sided platform that connect content creators (who want an audience and other things) with viewers (who want entertainment or other types of content.) And I’ve argued that audience builders are actually more fluid and […]
In this class, I talk about why TikTok / Douyin took off so rapidly and powerfully. You can listen here or at iTunes and Himalaya. Choose two options for why TikTok / Douyin has grown so fast. Addictive Product. Short personalized videos focused on memes, comedy, and lip syncs are a psychological hack. Easy to […]
In Podcast 19 (How the Coronavirus Quarantine Economy Is Supercharging Taobao Live), I went into how social media and KOLs / Influencers are really important in Chinese e-commerce. And that live streaming is currently the white hot center of this, especially because of coronovirus. And I have one sort of super chart that summarizes all […]