Smart Business: What Alibaba's Success Reveals about the Future of Strategy

Ming Zeng

Oct 2020 · Gildan Media · Narrated by Neil Shah

About this audiobook

Leaders already know that the classic approach to strategy-analyze, plan, execute-is losing relevance. But they don't yet know what replaces it. As everyone and everything becomes more interconnected and digitized, how do you operate, compete, and win? Ming Zeng, the former chief of staff and strategy adviser to Alibaba Group's founder Jack Ma, explains how the latest technological developments, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, the mobile internet, and cloud computing are redefining how value is created. Written especially for those outside the technology industry or the startup arena, this book introduces a simple, overarching framework to guide strategy formulation and execution in this data-rich and highly interactive environment. Revealing the revolutionary practices that he and his team have developed at Alibaba, Zeng shows how to: automate decisions through machine learning; create products informed by real-time data from customers; determine the right strategic positioning to maximize value from platforms and suppliers; repurpose your organization to further human insight and enable creativity; and lead your company's transformation into a smart business.

About the author

Ming Zeng was the chief of staff and strategy adviser to Jack Ma at Alibaba Group for over a decade as it blossomed into a $400 billion company. He is currently chairman of the Academic Council of Alibaba Group and dean of Hupan School of Entrepreneurship, founded by Ma and other Chinese business leaders.

Neil Shah is an Audie Award-nominated narrator and AudioFile Earphones Award winner who has recorded over one hundred audiobooks. A classically trained actor with an MFA from the Old Globe/University of San Diego program, Neil has appeared off-Broadway and on regional stages, as well as in film and television.