Owning Customer Relationship
Companies that win in the Internet era do so by owning the customer relationship, which gives them power over suppliers.
-
Amazon Health doesn’t seem like much now, but there are hints it could be the ultimate application of Aggregation Theory.
-
Disney’s rumored acquisition of 21st Century Fox is all about competing with Netflix; whether or not that is a good thing depends on your frame of reference.
-
The Internet has removed scarcity, meaning business models based on controlling distribution are no longer viable. Instead, the key to success is controlling access to the best customers — and that means being the best.
-
The Google Squeeze
Google, the real Aggregator, is squeezing OTAs, which acted like Aggregators while depending on Google for demand. It’s easy to say Google is being unfair, but this may be better for consumers.
-
The Apple Watch Tells Time, Additional Observations on Apple’s Event, Revisiting App Store Search
The “Always-on” Apple Watch update is an important one, additional notes from Apple’s event, and why the company is likely being honest about App Store Search
-
Netflix Loses The Office, Netflix’s Budget Consciousness, Spotify Ends Direct Uploads
It is hard to see *The Office* being a good deal for NBCUniversal, even if Netflix will miss it. Then, Netflix’s budget consciousness is just as likely to be a sign of Netflix power than it is weakness, and more reasons why Spotify isn’t Netflix.
-
Facebook, Libra, and the Long Game
Libra is less about an immediate benefit to Facebook, and more about creating a world where companies like Facebook have the best chance to prosper. That is why Facebook gave up so much control.
-
Airbnb Eliminates Guest Fees, Airbnb’s Initial Advantage, Airbnb’s Delay
Airbnb is eliminating fees for guests, a change that is both overdue and also additional evidence that the company has been moving too slowly to secure its Aggregator position.
-
The Problem with “Aggregation Theory”, Demand at Scale, Supplier Power and Value
A response to The Problem with Ben Thompson’s ‘Aggregation Theory’, and why the Internet really is different (this Daily Update is freely accessible)
-
Google Fights Back
At Google I/O, Google was the opposite of defensive: the company set out to make the case that its approach made for better products that makes people’s lives better
-
Disney and the Future of TV
TV is moving from a world where distribution dictates business models to one where business models need to fit the jobs consumers want done. That is the best way to understand Disney’s latest announcement.