1.  The future of cloud strategy is multi-cloud

“In the quest for the “perfect” solution, multi-cloud options are highly appealing. Benefits of a multi-cloud system include:

• Avoiding vendor/provider lock-in

• Allowing for scaling as business grows

• Increasing security to thwart attacks

• Harnessing unique capabilities of different providers.”

https://devops.com/the-future-of-cloud-strategy-multi-cloud/

There’s the traditional (fully-owned data centres) approach, the all-cloud (fully outsourced) approach (with one provider or multiple providers), and the hybrid (a mix of inhouse and outsourced data centres) approach.  For all but the largest tech firms, the advantages of outsourcing at least part of the devops load is compelling.  Most procurement strategists would argue for balancing buyer/supplier power by going multi-cloud…

2. Value stocks shield investors from worst of 2022 market storm

“The MSCI World Value Index fell around 7% in 2022 on a total return basis, much better than the 25% drop in the index provider’s Growth Index.

High relative returns mean that an investment strategy in which traders buy stocks of global companies that are cheap relative to metrics such as book value and earnings, and bet against expensive groups, has generated returns of nearly 30% so far this year, according to data from Bloomberg.”

https://www.ft.com/content/b7ee2c90-3aa1-4087-b221-4ef7682c5110

Investment strategies are in flux as a result of central banks raising interest rates, along with increased geopolitical risks.  The “value bulls / growth bears” argue with the “growth bulls / value bears” in this FT article.  Anyone using the 10 year projections of Vanguard quoted in the article is a brave one…

3.  Supply chain strategies for smartphone manufacturers

“If there is one winner in the current turmoil, it is Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, whose supply chains are primarily in South Korea and Vietnam. Its far smaller exposure to the Chinese market has also shielded it from the drop in consumer confidence there..”

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Supply-Chain/China-s-Xiaomi-Vivo-and-Oppo-trim-smartphone-orders-by-20

An interesting leading indicator for the shifts in short-to-medium term investments in mainland China...

4.  China military must be able to destroy Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites if they threaten national security: scientists

“Chinese military researchers say the country needs to be able to disable or destroy SpaceX’s Starlink satellites if they threaten national security.

“According to a paper published last month, China needs to develop anti-satellite capabilities, including a surveillance system with unprecedented scale and sensitivity to track and monitor every Starlink satellite.”

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3178939/china-military-needs-defence-against-potential-starlink-threat

When your company’s innovation is viewed through the lens of geopolitical strategy, you have no choice but to prepare for the unthinkable…

5.  The secrets of big tech

“Spending is concentrated in the online ad industry, too. Another CMA probe looked at data on British advertisers who spent a combined £7bn ($8.9bn) in 2019 on Google Ads, an ad-buying tool aimed at small businesses. The top 5-10% of advertisers by spending made up more than 85% of revenue for Google Ads. The highest-spending sectors were retail, finance and travel. A similar exercise showed even greater concentration at Facebook. The top 5-10% of the social network’s advertisers made up more than 90% of revenue. Retail, entertainment and consumer-goods firms splurged most.”

https://www.economist.com/business/the-finance-secrets-of-big-tech/21808956

This level of analysis is incredibly valuable to strategists.  Down to the level of product lines and industry sectors - a must-read…