Understanding what is a “moat” for your career The word “moat” is traditionally used to describe the trench around a castle that is usually filled with water The objective of the moat is to make it harder for the opposing forces to be able to get into the fort or castle.

1. A “moat” for your career
Understanding what is a “moat” for your career

2. What is a “moat”?
● The word “moat” is traditionally used to
describe the trench around a castle that is
usually filled with water
● The objective of the moat is to make it harder
for the opposing forces to be able to get into
the fort or castle.

3. Applying the concept of a “moat” to a business
1. Switching costs - Can a customer easily leave your product and
‘switch’ to a competitor?
1. Cost advantage - Does your business have a cost advantage over
competition?
1. Network Effects - Does a user gain more value as more users become
customers of your business?
1. Intangible assets - Do you have a differentiator that cannot be copied
by law or technology or by a brand name
1. Efficient Scale - Do you own enough of the market such that the
remaining customers will not justify the capital investment by a
competitor?
Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

4. Applying the concept of a “moat” to your career? 1
1. Do what you love
1. Do what the world needs
1. Do what you can be paid for
1. Do what you are good at

5. Applying the concept of a “moat” to your career? 2
1. Switching costs - Is the new skill completely new or do you already
have some skills that you can build on?
1. Cost advantage - Can you afford to learn this new skill?
1. Network Effects - Is there a supportive community that can help you
learn outside of academic hours (offline or online)
1. Intangible assets - Will you be able to get admission to a top class
institution or will you be willing to move cities for an amazing job
opportunity
1. Efficient Scale - Every learner has 24 hours a day. Can you learn for
more hours a day than others. E.g. - if you wish to become a graphic
designer or programmer - do you have a laptop at home?
Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

6. Applying the concept of a “moat” to your career? 3
Take the personality test
on the Career Engine
App so that you get an
idea of your own interest
and some career options
suited to you? Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

7. Big “moat” lessons for your career
1. If you think that with a short 6 month course you can
learn a skill that will make you millions - you are
mistaken.
1. If you think that you only need to learn once in your life
and you do not need to study every again - you are
mistaken. Lifelong learning is the new normal.
1. If you think that you can learn digital skills through a
smartphone and not a PC/laptop - you are mistaken.
Based on what you wish to learn, ask Career Engine
what kind of a PC/laptop you require.
Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

8. Moat Concept for a Graphic Designer 1
Switching costs - Is the new skill completely new
or do you already have some skills that you can
build on?
A. Have you enjoyed working with computers
in this course so far? (list of basic PC skills
listed in the Career Engine App)
B. Do you like to draw - If yes, please try out this
YouTube channel -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnWa
XZaVfDBee0conbZOBdJfZLlDcU9im
Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

9. Moat Concept for a Graphic Designer 2
Cost Advantage -
Do you have the money to take
some introductory courses
Can you buy a PC/laptop to
practice at home? Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

10. Moat Concept for a Graphic Designer 3
Network Effects -
Do you have the self
discipline to learn at home
from the online community
of teachers on YouTube? Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

11. Moat Concept for a Graphic Designer 4
Intangible Assets -
If you wish to learn from home, Career Engine has a list of
videos and skills for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
graphic designers in their app for you to practice & master
You will need to learn how to read, write and speak English
well in order to work for a good company. Career Engine
has English lesson plans in their free App and a list of other
resources where you can improve your “English” . Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

12. Moat Concept for a Graphic Designer 5
Efficient Scale -
Do you have a PC/laptop or a way
to use a PC/laptop for at least 3 to
5 hours a day. The more you
practice the better you will get
(faster). You will still need a year to
be market ready. Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

13. Possible career growth as a Graphic Designer
Graphic
Designer
Web
Designer
UI/UX
Designer
Product
Owner

14. Moat Concept for a Computer Programmer 1
Switching costs - Is the new skill completely new or do you already have
some skills that you can build on?
A. Have you enjoyed working with computers in this course so far?
B. Try out the hour of code - https://hourofcode.com/ca
C. Try these Apps -
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.W3school.offline,
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.area120.grasshopper,
Programming section of
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.khanacademy.android Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

15. Moat Concept for a Computer Programmer 2
Cost Advantage -
Do you have the money to take some
introductory courses
Can you buy a PC/laptop to practice at home?
A B.Tech or an Engineering degree is a great
way to start your career with the goal of
becoming a great programmer
Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

16. Moat Concept for a Computer Programmer 3
Network Effects -
Do you have the self
discipline to learn at home
from the online community
of teachers on YouTube? Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

17. Moat Concept for a Computer Programmer 4
Intangible Assets -
If you wish to learn from home, Career Engine has a list of
videos and skills for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
computer programmers in their app for you to practice &
master
You will need to learn how to read, write and speak English
well in order to work for a good company. Career Engine
has English lesson plans in their free App and a list of other
resources where you can improve your “English” .
Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

18. Moat Concept for a Computer Programmer 5
Efficient Scale -
Do you have a PC/laptop or a way
to use a PC/laptop for at least 3 to
5 hours a day. The more you
practice the better you will get
(faster). You will still need a year to
be market ready. Image source:
https://www.toptal.com/finance/business-model-
consultants/economic-moats

19. Possible career growth as a Programmer
Junior
Programmer
Software
Developer
Team Lead
CTO

20. Ikigai - Almost the same concept as a “moat”

21. So what is the conclusion?
● You have to learn all the time. Learning never stops.
● Today “skills” are more important than a degree. Showing what you know is as important as “knowing”.
● The good news - most people are lazy and want to spend time on social media and YouTube
entertaining them. So competition is low if you are willing to “learn” every single day
● If you get one percent better each day for one year, you'll end up thirty-seven times (37X) better by the
time you're done
● Your success or failure is in your own hands