Airbnb is Going to Get Crushed in China / Asia. Rethink Your Valuation. (Tech Strategy – Podcast 59)

In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson discusses why he believes Airbnb will struggle to compete in Asia. He cites the following reasons: (1) Airbnb’s business model is not well-suited for the Asian market, (2) Airbnb faces stiff competition from local rivals, and (3) Airbnb’s valuation is too high.

Airbnb’s Valuation Depends on Asia and Its Super-Apps (Tech Strategy – Daily Article)

Airbnb is heading for its IPO. Their numbers are public and it’s pretty much what we expected. Airbnb is a simple marketplace platform that is growing and close to operating profitability (pre-Covid). And lots of people are having fun doing valuations this week. If you’re curious, here is NYU valuation professor Aswath Damodaran’s valuation. His […]

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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.

Forget the “Alibaba Ecosystem”. It’s About Collaboration-Based Industries and Business Models. (Tech Strategy – Podcast 56)

In this podcast, Jeffrey Towson argues that the term “Alibaba ecosystem” is misleading, and that the company’s success is better explained by its focus on collaboration-based industries and business models. He discusses the importance of open and inclusive ecosystems, and provides examples of other companies that have been successful by following this approach. For example, Towson cites the success of Android, which has become the world’s most popular mobile operating system by creating an open and inclusive ecosystem that allows developers to create apps for a wide range of devices.

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.

Services Marketplaces 3.0: A Platform for Therapists?

There is an interesting company in China called MyTherapist. It is a digital marketplace platform for services. But instead of connecting consumers with drivers and restaurants, it connects them with therapists and life coaches. That is a really interesting idea and highlights how marketplace platforms are really still in their infancy. Marketplace platforms began with […]

Oracle Is Saving TikTok From Itself

I like Bytedance. I think they make great apps. Super engaging. With fantastic user interfaces. They are one of the most innovative mobile app companies on the planet. But they suck at internationalization. Their attempt to become China’s first international digital  company has been a slow moving train wreck. Lots of us have been predicting […]