In Part 1 and Part 2, I laid out a framework for Snowflake’s “data ecosystem” business model. I described it as +3 complementary platform business models with +4 network effects. And I think that explains most of what the company is doing right now. However, I also recently listened to an interview with CEO Frank […]
Category Archives: Complementary Platforms
Part 2: Snowflake is Building 3 Complementary Platforms with 4 Network Effects (Pt 2 of 3) (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)
In Part 1, I laid out the basics for Snowflake, a “data ecosystem” or “data warehouse as a service” company. The company appears to have a complicated business model. But it’s actually not if you look at it the right way. Which is the point of this article. I have 7 initial conclusions about the […]
Google, the NBA and Competitive Fortresses at the Top of the Pyramid (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update)
In the past weeks, I have sent you multiple emails with various types of competitive advantages. Such as switching costs, network effects, purchasing economies and location and transportation cost advantages. The links are below: Walmart, JD and Purchasing Economies at Traditional and Online Retailers (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Lesson / Update) Beer, Southwest and […]
6 Early Indicators of the Greatness of Sea Limited (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)
Sea Limited is rocking and rolling. Jumping from gaming to ecommerce. Then to payment and financial services. And now to Mexico. There is a growing public consensus that the Sea management team is extraordinarily effective. That’s cool. But it would have been much better to know that two years ago, when the stock was much […]
Pay Attention to the Potential Value of WeChat Mini Programs. (Tech Strategy – Podcast 66)
In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses the potential value of WeChat Mini Programs, which are small, standalone applications that run within WeChat. He argues that Mini Programs could revolutionize the way people use WeChat, and could make the platform even more powerful for businesses and consumers.
4 Strategy Lessons from the Spectacular Rise of Sea / Shopee / Garena (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)
Singapore-based Sea Limited, which runs Garena, Shopee and AirPay, is one of the biggest tech investment stories of 2020. In the first quarter of 2020, the company was trading in the $40 price range. It is now around $180, with a market capitalization approaching $100B. It has been a rocketship for investors this year. But […]
What Ant Financial Tells Us About the Future of Square. Plus, Why The External View Is So Hard in Digital. (Tech Strategy – Podcast 61)
In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses what Ant Financial’s success can tell us about the future of Square. He argues that Square’s growth will be driven by its ability to use its payment platform to build a wider ecosystem of financial services. He also discusses why it is so difficult to predict the future of digital businesses.
What Ant Financial Tells Us About Square’s Future. (Jeff’s Asia Tech Class – Daily Update)
The market capitalization Square has exceed $100B, which makes it about 1/3 of what Ant Financial / Group was expected to list at (prior to delay). Both companies are using platform business models to invade and expand the payment and financial services space. Fortunately, Ant is further along this trajectory and offers some interesting insights […]
Alibaba, Android and The Emerging Art of Ecosystem Management. (Tech Strategy – Podcast 57)
In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses the emerging art of ecosystem management. He argues that ecosystems are more important than platforms in the digital economy, and that companies need to focus on orchestrating and managing their ecosystems in order to succeed. He compares Alibaba’s ecosystem to Android’s, and argues that both companies have been successful because they have created ecosystems that are open and collaborative.
What is Alibaba’s Best Growth Strategy? (Tech Strategy – Podcast 50)
In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses Alibaba’s growth strategy and which of its 11 strategies is the most effective. He argues that Alibaba’s best growth strategy is to expand its digital economy user base and consumer wallet share. Towson believes that this strategy will allow Alibaba to continue to grow its market share and become the leading digital economy in the world.