The Impulso Podcast

E74: Transforming digital transformation: lessons from world's best digital bank

Everyone knows that digital transformation poses numerous challenges and pitfalls, but does it really have to be this arduous?
 
In the latest episode of the Impulso Podcast, we are joined by special guest, Jing Li, founder and CEO of Sirius Technologies and co-author of our report "Transforming Digital Transformation," as we unravel the complexities and triumphs of digital transformation. 
 
Digital transformation isn't just about technology; it's also a mindset shift towards innovation and agility - “Agility is the outcome, not the approach”. 
 
Join us as we explore the challenges of digital transformation in the financial sector, the concept of fusion teams and the role of the enterprise architect in bridging the gap between business and tech. We also explore WeBank's Success, highlighting how their pioneering approach to embedded finance propelled it to become the world’s best digital bank. 
Featured materials: 
Transforming Digital Transformation, Momentum Works 

E73: The 2nd phase of live commerce & the role of KOCs

“In China’s online business, one or two years is not a very long time… it changes so fast.” - Connor Li shares insights on the rapidly evolving live commerce scene in China in the latest episode of the Impulso Podcast.
 
Is China already transitioning into the second phase of live commerce?
 
Connor is the head of curriculum development at Ji Tang, a “S Level” MCN in China, managing 170+ influencers, with a total of more than 200 million followers. He was also a featured speaker at Momentum Works' March Live Commerce Immersion event.
 
Tune in as he shares his insights on the evolution of live commerce in China and:
The rise of key opinion consumers (KOCs); 
Who do consumers trust - KOLs or KOCs;
Ji Tang's approach to collaborating with KOCs;
Measuring the ROI of using KOCs as a marketing strategy;
Advice on those who want to learn about China’s live commerce ecosystem.

E72: Our learnings from visiting top MCNs in China

In this latest episode, Jianggan takes over as the host, and interviews the team, Sabrina, Yorlin and Liz, about Momentum Works recent Live Commerce immersion, where we brought 20+ delegates from Southeast Asia to Shenzhen. 
 
During the 3 day immersion, participants engaged in over 10 visits, including exclusive tours of leading MCNs. Tune in as we reflect on the trip, sharing memorable experiences -  going behind-the-scenes at MCN studios, interactions with AI virtual hosts, and gaining insights into China's live commerce ecosystem from our panel of expert speakers.
 
Interested in going behind-the-scenes at MCN studios? Or want to delve deeper into China's live commerce landscape?
 
Join the Momentum Work Live Commerce Immersion taking place from 28 to 30 May in Hangzhou, China. Register here! You'll have the opportunity to engage in equally impactful visits, discussions, and networking sessions with expert practitioners and potential partners. 
 
Featured materials: 
Live Commerce Immersion [May], Momentum Works
Live Commerce Immersion [March - completed], Momentum Works 
Five top learnings from MW Live Commerce Immersion to China, TheLowDown

E71: Joe Tsai interview redefines who Alibaba's customers really are

In a recent interview, Joe Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba, redefined Alibaba’s customers as users shopping on their apps, a shift from their previous focus on merchants. This marks a shift from their previous emphasis on merchants, and with Alibaba's revenue historically heavily reliant on merchant advertising, Alibaba’s shift towards user-centricity challenges this model. 
 
So, what does this mean for Alibaba's strategy moving forward? How will Alibaba balance between user and merchant satisfaction?  
 
As Alibaba undergoes its biggest transformation yet, its leaders will have to make crucial decisions. Joe Tsai stresses the importance of humility and leaders being willing to acknowledge mistakes and pivot or backtrack on decisions when necessary.
 
Featured materials:Joe Tsai Co-founder & Chair of Alibaba | In Good Company | Norges Bank Investment Management, Norges bank Investment Management 
Transforming Alibaba, Momentum Works
E70: Succession – successful tech founders’ dilemma, The Impulso Podcast
E68: Alibaba is giving up on new retail, The Impulso Podcast
E47: Why does Alibaba replace taobao CEO?, The Impulso Podcast

E70: Succession - successful tech founders’ dilemma

From Alibaba to Meta, and now Meituan, it seems like founders and co-founders can’t retire. 
 
Wang Huiwen's recent return to Meituan, albeit as a part-time consultant, raises questions about why founders struggle to leave their companies. His departure and subsequent comeback highlight the complexities of succession planning and the unique role founders play in navigating turbulent times.
 
It’s true that leadership transitions in tech are complicated due to the fast-paced environment and constant need for innovation, but is this really the main issue for lack of/ poor succession planning? 
 
Join us in this episode as we delve into the intricacies of organisational leadership, the search for suitable successors, and the importance of trust. 
 
Featured materials:Why did Meituan buy a generative AI company?, TheLowDown
Why Meituan CEO takes over overseas businesses?, The Impulso Podcast
 

E69: The business model behind BuyNowPayLater

ShopBack has announced the shutdown of PayLater, its Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) scheme, marking the latest withdrawal from the BNPL scene in Singapore.
 
Unlike traditional credit card models, BNPL allows consumers to split payments over time, offering convenience and flexibility at the point of sale. However, the road to success is not easy - BNPL players, particularly independent ones, encounter various challenges ranging from high customer acquisition costs to merchant acceptance and regulatory hurdles.
 
Join us in this latest episode as we explore:
The complexities of the BNPL landscape;
The struggles of BNPL services in the region, from regulations to consumer behavior;
Key success factors for BNPL to thrive, particularly in Southeast Asia;
Differences between standalone BNPL apps and integrated platforms;
Future prospects of BNPL in the region.
 
Featured materials: 
Buy Now Pay Later in Southeast Asia – “you either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain”, TheLowDown
pace | Buy now, pay later (and later)

E68: Alibaba is giving up on new retail

Last week, Alibaba announced that Hou Yi, the founder of the Hema (or 'Freshippo') retail chain, will retire as CEO, to be replaced by CFO Yan Xiaolei. What does this mean for Hema?
 
Hema, positioned as premium retail, reflected Alibaba's anticipation that consumers would become more affluent and upgrade their consumption habits. However, Alibaba is now pivoting back to its core focus on Taobao and its users as it undergoes its biggest transformation in history.
 
Amidst this transformation (which prioritises core ecommerce and cloud/AI), the role of Hema and other offline retail stores becomes uncertain. Where do Hema (and Alibaba's other offline retail stores) fit into this overall strategy? And what's next for them?
Featured materials: Alibaba is giving up on Hema and offline retail?, TheLowDown
Alibaba’s Hema Supermarket – China’s new retail revolution, TheLowDown
Transforming Alibaba, Momentum Works
Why is Lazada CEO taking over Daraz?, The Impulso Podcast 
Why does Alibaba replace taobao CEO?, The Impulso Podcast

E67: Dmitry Levit & Boon Ping Chua on the distress in Southeast Asia, and why it’s not evenly distributed

After almost a decade, is winter finally here in Southeast Asia?
 
Join us in our latest podcast episode featuring special guests Dimitry Levit and Boon Ping Chua (aka BP), partners from Cento Ventures, each with over a decade of experience in venture capital, particularly in Southeast Asia.
 
Cento Ventures recently unveiled their Southeast Asia tech investment 2023 H1 report, and we have invited Dmitry and Bp to share further insights into their perspectives on investment in the region.
 
Tune in as we ask the experts: 
Is tech & VC in Southeast Asia game over?
Why do we even bother with Southeast Asia anyway? Why is it still exciting?
How do they see VCs in the region deploying money in 2024?
Featured materials:  
Southeast Asia Tech Investment – 1H 2023, Cento Ventures
2023年上半年东南亚风险投资报告, Momentum Works 
Our investment in Doxa: Unlocking new growth within the supply chain finance, Cento ventures
 

E66: TikTok has no good options

Yesterday, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a Bill dubbed the “Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” that would give ByteDance about six months to divest the US assets of TikTok or face a ban.
 
What does this mean for TikTok?
 
Join us on the latest episode of the Impulso Podcast as we delve into: 
The likelihood of the ban; 
TikTok's options - there seem to be no good options
Donald Trump's opposition to the ban - will he really stand against it?;
Will other countries follow suit?
 
Featured materials: 
[Event Deck] Indonesia after the TikTok Shop ban, Momentum Works 
E44: The winners and losers of the TikTok-GoTo deal, The Impulso Podcast 

E65: Will health labels reduce bubble tea consumption?

Is Shanghai mirroring Singapore's nutritional labelling approach? 
 
Recently, Bawang Tea Ji's (Chagee) Shanghai store has introduced a "Nutritional Choice" logo on all its beverages - a first for freshly-made drinks in China. This mirrors Singapore's Nutri-Grade ratings (A to D), implemented by the Health Promotion Board, from December 2022, which were introduced to increase consumers' awareness, and help them make healthier choices. 
 
But do these labels actually change consumer habits? And are they a hindrance to the bubble tea business, or do they push for product innovation?
 
Tune into our latest episode for a light-hearted discussion on the impact of these nutri-grades on consumer habits and business operations. 
Featured materials
Who is Mixue?, Momentum Works 
Bubble tea in Southeast Asia, Momentum Works