This is part 3 on building digital moats. You need to build at two levels: Moats and structural advantages. That’s Warren Buffett land Operating performance. Elon Musk’s crazy pace is a good symbol for this. —–Transcript Below
Category Archives: Competitive Advantage
Lessons from Shein and Unilever in Personalization vs. Economies of Scope (1 of 2) (Tech Strategy)
Last week, I was giving a talk in Shanghai about the digitization of manufacturing. And how this is creating a data ecosystem that connects consumers, retailers, logistics and manufacturing. This is something that Alibaba has been focused on with New Manufacturing. Their XunXi project is about being able to respond in real time to changing […]
Dingdong, Grab and the Struggle for Profits in Ecommerce Services (Tech Strategy – Podcast 156)
In this comprehensive analysis, Jeff Towson delves into the ongoing struggle for profitability faced by leading eCommerce companies such as Grab, Dingdong, Meituan, Didi, GoJek, and iFood. Highlighting recent business model shifts, he discusses the newfound strategies these companies have adopted to strive for profitability. A major focus is placed on the crucial concept of geographic density, underlining its role as a significant type of economies of scale in the eCommerce industry.
How Alibaba Freshippo and Dingdong Got to Profitability in Ecommerce Groceries (2 of 2) (Tech Strategy)
In Part 1, I laid out some of the challenges of doing ecommerce in groceries. And two innovative business models that attempted to make it work. One by Alibaba Freshippo and one by Dingdong. Both very interesting. Both, especially Dingdong, being unprofitable. In the past month, both companies have announced operating profits. That was really […]
Monster Energy and The Secrets to CPG Success in Digital Strategy (Tech Strategy – Podcast 154)
Monster Energy is a leading energy drink brand that has successfully used digital technology to build its brand and reach new customers. In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson shares insights on how CPG brands can use digital technology to win in the competitive marketplace.
My Visit to Warren Buffett’s Specialty Ecommerce Biz Oriental Trading Company (Tech Strategy)
Oriental Trading Company is a successful business that has been around for over 50 years. And has now become a clever specialty ecommerce business. Digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson summarizes what he learned on his visit.
The company focuses on quality products, low prices, and a large selection.
Lessons in Competitive Advantage from My Visit to Warren Buffett’s Nebraska Furniture Mart (Tech Strategy)
Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM) is one of Warren Buffett’s largest retail ventures. Its strong business model and consumer offerings provide valuable lessons in competitive advantage. Additionally, NFM’s strategic location in Omaha contributes to its success.
3 Lessons in Digital Strategy from AB InBev and Zé Delivery (2 of 2) (Tech Strategy)
Digital strategy consultant Jeffrey Towson analyzes the digital transformation strategies of AB InBev and Zé Delivery, highlighting the importance of a clear digital vision and a willingness to experiment. By embracing a digital-first mindset, these companies have achieved remarkable success in their respective industries. In this article, Towson breaks down the key takeaways from their approaches to inform your own digital transformation strategy.
Why Prediction and Machine Learning Aren’t Competitive Advantages (Yet) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
I have used the terms digital and data technology interchangeably. And I have described them as things made of bits and bytes. Of ones and zeros. Instead of physical products and services. And I have spoken quite a bit about how things made of bits and bytes have different economics. They have powerful but also […]
How Grab Uses Geographic Density Technology to Reduce Costs and Improve Efficiency (3 of 4) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)
In this captivating article by Jeff Towson, discover the remarkable insights derived from Grab’s mastery of geographic density and other cost efficiencies through technology. Gain valuable knowledge about the strategies employed by Grab to optimize operations and achieve scalability in the highly competitive tech industry. Don’t miss out on this exclusive membership content that offers a comprehensive analysis of Grab’s tech strategy and its implications for businesses across various sectors.