The Impulso Podcast Momentum Works

In the latest episode of the Impulso podcast, we are joined by special guest Shawn Teow (who makes his podcast debut), diving deep into live commerce in Southeast Asia.
 
Shawn, the co-founder and former COO of Upmesh, now leads his new venture, Hitwave, which aims to connect live sellers in SEA with cross-border brands. With over five years of experience in live commerce in Southeast Asia, he has a wealth of insights to share. 
 
Tune in as Shawn discusses the current state of live commerce in Southeast Asia, describing it as "patchy" due to different stages of development and category focuses; explores the competitive landscape between major platforms like TikTok, Shopee, and Facebook; as well as the critical factors needed for live commerce to thrive in the region - audience growth, content quality, and the role of mid-scale domestic brands.
 
Is Southeast Asia at the tipping point of live commerce? Check out our latest episode for more insights and our predictions on the future of live commerce in Southeast Asia
 
Featured materials: 
Is MCN a good business model?, The Impulso Podcast
Why you should join MW Live Commerce immersion to Hangzhou, TheLowDown

Both Starbucks and Luckin Coffee recently unveiled their Q1 2024 earnings, eliciting varied market responses.
 
In China, Starbucks faced a challenging quarter with comparable store sales declining by 11%, attributed to an 8% drop in average ticket sales. Meanwhile, Luckin has stayed committed to rapid expansion, opening over 2,000 stores in Q1, albeit at a slower pace than usual. Who is winning in China's competitive coffee scene?
 
Tune in as we delve into the latest results of these two coffee giants, the evolving landscape of coffee consumption in China, and examine the competitive dynamics between traditional giants and agile disruptors in the digital age.
 
Featured materials: 
Coffee in Southeast Asia, Momentum Works
Sip, Innovate, Repeat: Immersive Workshop, Momentum Works 
E63: How does Luckin Coffee open 1000 new stores every month?!, The Impulso Podcast
E65: Will health labels reduce bubble tea consumption?
The Luckin x Moutai partnership that sold 5 mil cups of coffee in one day, ThelowDown

From leveraging top Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) like Luo Yonghao at BeFriends, to signing up celebrities at YoWant, MCNs are employing various strategies to stand out. But it's not just about the hosts; MCNs are also exploring other diverse approaches, from studios to real-store experiences, to differentiate themselves and stay competitive.
 
And in this dynamic industry, every detail matters, from the critical role of hosts in driving sales to the meticulous operational details to the real-time decision-making during live streams. 
 
Join us as we explore the MCN landscape, from business strategies to operational intricacies, including: 
Is MCN a good business model?
What are the different business models of MCNs?
How is it like to actually run a MCN?
 
Featured materials: 
Most unfortunate entrepreneur’s first live streaming experience, on TikTok, TheLowDown
How did KFC sell 190m cups of coffee in China?, TheLowDown
How did this company reach $280m sales in Live commerce?, TheLowDown
Why you should join MW Live Commerce immersion to Hangzhou, TheLowDown
Momentum Works Immersion: Live Commerce [Hangzhou edition]

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 

“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.

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