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A look into an internal speech made by Alibaba's new chief executive officer may give a better idea or two of what will be the next chapter for the Internet empire.
One of the company's two main goals is to develop more independent non-ecommerce platforms that could serve businesses in the future, said Daniel Zhang Yong, the new CEO three days after he replaced Jonathan Lu, reported TMTPost.
Here are the five most promising business arms within Alibaba Group that Zhang mentioned.
5. Non-ecommerce mobile services: UC Web, AutoNavi
The browser developer UC Web and digital map platform AutoNavi are two fundamental businesses in the mobile Internet era that Alibaba acquired last year.
"We are working on a miracle, which is to truly integrate our businesses on a seamless basis, making map data and location-based services one of our fundamentals," said Zhang according to TMTPost.
The UC Web has become world's largest third-party mobile browser in terms of page view share, according to a latest ranking compiled by analytic service provider StatCounter.
4. Logistic: Cainiao Network
Logistic is another field that Alibaba has been eyeing since the e-commerce behemoth launched its own logistic unit Cainiao Network Technology Co two years ago.
"Cainiao is a good name, which means we are the rookie in the industry", said Zhang, adding that the company is exploring a new approach of making use of data and cloud computing to connect delivery centers and to improve efficiency.
3. Digital marketing: Alimama
A key strategy for Alimama, the company's digital marketing platform, is to go "beyond Taobao" and expand its customer base that is not limited to Taobao vendors, said Zhang.
The company is also working to provide businesses of all sectors with diversified digital marketing solutions, where they could interact with their consumers, other than push advertisements in a single direction, said Zhang.
The Internet giant announced earlier this year that it would acquire a controlling stake in Shanghai-based digital marketing firm AdChina to boost the development of the big data enabled marketing in the country.
2. Overseas business: AliExpress
"We absolutely must globalize, and it must be a success," said Zhang in his first speech since being promoted to lead the e-commerce giant, adding that international expansion will remain a top priority in the coming years.
Alibaba will continue to invest heavily in its new and existing overseas operation, including AliExpress, a cross-border online marketplace positioned to sell Chinese goods to consumers all over the world, and Tmall Global, a platform selling foreign brands directly to Chinese shoppers, Zhang said.
1. Cloud computing
Cloud computing is the most important business within Alibaba Group, according to Zhang. The 43-year-old CEO referred to it as the engine in the new economic era, which will empower all businesses to better serve consumers and improve productivity
"Our cloud computing service must leap ahead in terms of customer base, quality and efficiency," said Zhang in the meeting.
Alibaba Group's cloud-computing subsidiary Aliyun is teaming up with Dubai-based Meraas Holding as the company uses its technology to extend its influence beyond China. The joint venture is expected to provide a broad range of technology to businesses and governments in the Middle East and North Africa.
