In this episode of AntKast, we welcome tech strategy expert Jeffrey Towson to share his insights on what makes a platform strategy successful. We'll discuss what makes platforms different from traditional business models, why they can be more effective, and what challenges they might face. Jeffrey will also be sharing his thoughts on Ant Group’s cross-border payment network, Alipay+, and why it can be valuable to the Asian region. Jeffrey Towson is a consultant, investor, podcaster, and speaker in digital strategy with 20 years of experience across US, China/Asia, and the Middle East. He is also a professor at the China Europe Business School, and the Sasin School of Management. Jeffrey is also a best-selling author, with his latest book, "Moats and Marathons: How to Build and Measure Competitive Advantage in Digital Businesses." Sections in this episode: 02:08 What's the winning strategy in this digital age, and what are the contrasts for Eastern and Western strategies? 07:52 What is so special about platform economies? 11:08 What makes a platform meaningful and attractive to its participants? 14:50 How do companies tackle problems as the platform becomes more difficult to manage? 17:38 Ant Group's platform strategy 21:12 East and West comparison on fintech’s development 23:31 What's Alipay+ and its potential? 27:26 Jeffrey's career as a professor and a consultant 30:05 Jeffrey on his new book 33:37 Outro If you would like to repost this episode or partner with AntKast, please reach us through: zhumei.wzm@antgroup.com