The Tech Strategy Podcast

Hosted by Jeffrey Towson

Technology Management NewsInterviews guestsExplicit

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Episodes

273

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A podcast by TechMoat Consulting on the strategies and best practices of leading digital companies. Especially in China / Asia. Tech Strategy offers: -Deep dives into the strategies and business models of leading tech companies. -Best practices and lessons in important digital concepts. Lots more information available at Jefftowson.com and techmoatconsulting.com To marketers, I do not have podcast guests. This podcast is not investment advice. Me and any guests may get the numbers or information wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant. Investing is risky. Do your own research.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 28650 min

Innovation and Strategy Lessons from My Visit to CATL - Part 1 (286)

This week’s podcast is about my recent visit to the CATL headquarters in Ningde, Fujian.Plus, there is a bit of a rant about the recent Anthropic ban. My prediction is the future of AI outside of the USA is now:Open source, downloadable and non-embargoable models plusLow cost, tech agnostic AI architectureWhich probably means China.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.-----------I am a consultant & keynote speaker on how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats.I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in increasing digital growth and strengthening digital AI moats. Get in contact here.I write (a lot) about digital growth and digital AI strategy (3 best selling books, +2.9M followers on LinkedIn). There is a free book and email newsletter below.My Moats and Marathons book series is a framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

June 6, 2026Episode 28544 min

What the SpaceX IPO Filing Teaches Us About AI and Tech Strategy (285)

This week’s podcast is about the recent S-1 IPO filing of SpaceX. It has some pretty good lessons in both AI and tech strategy.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.Here are the 3 mentioned steps in Elon's approach (in my opinion). This is an interesting example of a Shaping Strategy.Step 1: Identify a huge TAM. Ideally over $1T. Ideally with a weak incumbent.Step 2: Solve the problem with world-class engineering.Step 3: Run an innovation marathon focused on rapid improvements and cost reductions. Vertical integration and repeatability are key to this.Here is the book by Chris Zook on Repeatability.---------I am a consultant & keynote speaker on how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats.I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in increasing digital growth and strengthening digital AI moats. Get in contact here.I write (a lot) about digital growth and digital AI strategy (3 best selling books, +2.9M followers on LinkedIn). There is a free book and email newsletter below.My Moats and Marathons book series is a framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

June 6, 2026Episode 24747 min

The 6 Pillars of Huawei’s “Cloud for AI” Strategy (247)

This week’s podcast is about Huawei's AI strategy. Specifically it's "Cloud for AI" approach to hardware and infrastructure.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.—–I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

June 6, 2026Episode 23942 min

The Huawei Trifold Smartphone is Awesome. Why Is Huawei More Innovative than Apple? (239)

This week’s podcast is about Huawei's next products. And why they are so much more innovative than Apple.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.-------I write, speak and consult about how to win (and not lose) in digital strategy and transformation.I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps retailers, brands, and technology companies exploit digital change to grow faster, innovate better and build digital moats. Get in touch here.My book series Moats and Marathons is one-of-a-kind framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

June 6, 2026Episode 28351 min

How Do You Actually Win in Consumer Electronics? Lessons from Huawei. (283)

This week’s podcast is about consumer electronics. And lessons I learned from Huawei's recent product event.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.4 dimensions for consumer electronics.Ecosystem building.Software and AI.Emotional impact and resonance.Tech leadership.Cheers, JeffHuawei Breaks into High Fashion with a Luxury, Jeweled Smartwatch (2 of 3) (Tech Strategy)———I am a consultant and keynote speaker on how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats.I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats. Get in touch here.I write about digital growth and digital AI strategy. With 3 best selling books and +2.9M followers on LinkedIn. You can read my writing at the free email below.Or read my Moats and Marathons book series, a framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

June 6, 2026Episode 27848 min

My 5 Takeaways from Mobile World Congress 2026 (278)

This week’s podcast is about Mobile World Congress 2026. And my main takeaways. Thanks to Huawei for covering my travel and hotel to attend this event. My opinions and experiences shared here are my own.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.Here are my 5 takeaways.Huawei’s Atlas 950 SuperPOD is a Shift to Massively Integrated AI ComputeThe UnifiedBus. This is How Huawei Solves the 8,192 NPU Connection ProblemBuilding Ecosystems is the Key to US vs. China AI CloudGet Ready for Agent-Native NetworksAI Data Platforms are really important. It’s hard to separate KVCache / memory, data and knowledge.--------------I am a consultant and keynote speaker on how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats.I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats. Get in touch here.I write about digital growth and digital AI strategy. With 3 best selling books and +2.9M followers on LinkedIn. You can read my writing at the free email below.Or read my Moats and Marathons book series, a framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

June 6, 2026Episode 27743 min

3 Lessons from the Launch of Huawei’s GT Runner 2 Smartwatch in Madrid (277)

This week’s podcast is about Huawei's new GT Runner 2 smartwatch. And their other new consumer products. These have some good strategy lessons for smart devices.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.Here are my 3 lessons.Lesson 1: In wearables, Huawei is pulling ahead of the pack in screens and battery techLesson 2: "Breakthrough tech" plus "emotional resonance" is a good consumer electronics strategyLesson 3: Runners are a great customer group for smart products and services--------I am a consultant and keynote speaker on how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats.Note: This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. Investing is risky. Do your own research.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

June 5, 2026Episode 28439 min

My Explanation of Tencent's Big, Revamped Push in AI and Agents (284)

This week’s podcast is about Tencent's revamped approach to AI and agents.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.Here is the McKinsey & Co article on arenas.Here is what Tencent has been doing in AI and agentic products. Tencent Rebuilt Its Model Building InfrastructureTencent Kicked Things Off with the Hunyuan Hy3 PreviewAdditional Models Are Being Developed. I’m Pretty Excited about the World Models.Tencent is Accelerating the Release of New and Upgraded AI Products. And Agents (i.e., Lobsters) Are the Current Focus.Here is my explanation:Pillar 1: Anchor Your AI Agent Strategy on High Value, Scalable Use CasesPillar 2: Balance Aggressive Market Share Growth with Incremental Revenue CapturePillar 3: Prepare for Large, Ongoing Investments and Escalating Industry Competition as the Cost of Dominating this New Economic Arena---------I am a consultant and keynote speaker on how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats.I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats. Get in touch here.I write about digital growth and digital AI strategy. With 3 best selling books and +2.9M followers on LinkedIn. You can read my writing at the free email below.Or read my Moats and Marathons book series, a framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

May 1, 2026Episode 28245 min

What Matters in China Tech Right Now (282)

This week’s podcast is about 5 big, recent events in China tech.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.The five topics are:New operating model: “Humans agents robots”China semiconductor bizFoundation modelsIt’s all about agentsRobots and embodied AI ---------------I am a consultant and keynote speaker on how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats.I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats. Get in touch here.I write about digital growth and digital AI strategy. With 3 best selling books and +2.9M followers on LinkedIn. You can read my writing at the free email below.Or read my Moats and Marathons book series, a framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show

April 21, 2026Episode 28136 min

2 Problems with Scaling Agentic AI (281)

This week’s podcast is about quality datasets and the context layer. Both are needed to scale agentic AI operating systems.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.Here are my past articles on data operations:Data Network Effects and Data Scale Aren’t Moats (1 of 2) (Tech Strategy)My Playbook for Data-Empowered Operations (2 of 2) (Tech Strategy)The GenAI / Agentic Operating Basics (Tech Strategy)Here is the mentioned McKinsey & Co and a16z articles.Building the foundations for agentic AI at scaleYour Data Agents Need Context--------I am a consultant and keynote speaker on how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats.I am the founder of TechMoat Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in how to increase digital growth and strengthen digital AI moats. Get in touch here.I write about digital growth and digital AI strategy. With 3 best selling books and +2.9M followers on LinkedIn. You can read my writing at the free email below.Or read my Moats and Marathons book series, a framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show