How BYD Auto Plans to Win (2 of 2) (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

BYD Auto is one of the most successful electric vehicle makers in China and the world. In this article, Jeff Towson explains how the company uses its technology strategy to create competitive advantages in four key areas: batteries, motors, electronics, and software. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities that BYD Auto faces in the rapidly evolving EV market.

Expedia’s Painful Lessons in Money Wars and Other China Tactics. Plus Morgan Stanley.

Expedia’s experience in China is a cautionary tale for any foreign company entering the market. The company made a number of mistakes, including failing to adapt to Chinese culture and underestimating the competition. However, there are also some lessons to be learned from Morgan Stanley, which has been successful in China.

While Luckin Fights Starbucks, HeyTea Has Lines Out the Door in China (2 of 2)

In Part 1, I argued that Starbucks China most interesting competitor is not Luckin Coffee. It is HeyTea, an upscale Starbucks-type business focused on tea (something Chinese consumers really, really like). And to their credit, HeyTea appears to be mostly focusing not on digital innovation but on product development and continually thrilling their customers. Which […]

Growth, ROIC / RONIC and Growth + Sales in Digital Valuation (Tech Strategy – Podcast 102)

Growth, ROIC, and growth+sales are all important factors to consider when valuing a digital business. Growth is important because it shows that the business is expanding and has the potential to generate more revenue in the future. ROIC is important because it shows how efficiently the business is using its capital. Growth+sales is important because it shows how much revenue the business is generating from each new customer.

Can Hello Bike Become a Mini Didi? A Mini Meituan? (Asia Tech Strategy – Daily Update)

Take-Away 1: Hello bike-sharing is a marginally profitable, small services business. Its recent shift to ebikes (and subscriptions) is increasing its revenue and making it more defendable. But it is also changing the economics. Take-Away 2: Hello is trying to build a platform business model on its large user base. A marketplace for mobility (like […]

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WeChat, TikTok and Capturing the Consumer Mind in a Digital Age (Tech Strategy – Podcast 36)

In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses how companies like WeChat and TikTok are changing the way businesses compete for consumers’ attention in the digital age. He argues that the share of the consumer mind is becoming a more important competitive advantage than ever before. Towson provides examples of how WeChat and TikTok are using digital tools to capture the consumer mind, and he discusses the implications for businesses of all sizes.

My Interview With Huawei About Their 2019 Financials. Plus Fraud at Luckin Coffee. (Tech Strategy – Podcast 24)

In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses Huawei’s financial performance in 2019, as well as the recent fraud scandal at Luckin Coffee. He argues that Huawei’s strong financial performance is a sign of its resilience, and that the Luckin Coffee scandal is a reminder of the risks of investing in Chinese tech stocks. For example, he notes that Huawei’s revenue grew by 19% in 2019, despite the US government’s restrictions on its business.