Long live the sharing economy

Uber bows out in China. Stitching together a new type of sharing economy. That old Apple battery trick to save battery.

If you can’t beat ‘em- join ‘em

Uber sells its China operations to rival and local leader Didi Chuxing- the only way to keep a foot in the second largest economy.

What so Uber actually lost?… pssh- don’t be silly- 4 reasons why it’s still winning

1. Stops bleeding cash ahead of rumoured IPO

Uber burnt through $2bn in 2 years to supposedly capture 30% of the Chinese market (Didi claimed to have 80% so one of them is telling porkies). Getting rid of this poison chalice makes an Uber IPO a much more palatable prospect for investors. As Travis said himself “getting to profitability is the only way to build a sustainable business”. WORD.

2. Focus efforts on its evergrowing range of Uber-[life laziness] services

It might make more sense to list what Uber don’t off… there’s Eats, Pool, Pop, Military, choppers, ice cream, kittens, another business- XChange Leasing cars and let’s not forget its botched attempt with UN Women. It’s research into driverless cars technology is ripe and the FT claimed they’ve poured $500m into building their own mapping system to ween off Google Maps. It’s only a matter of time before UberPhone, UberBabyDelivery and UberDressMe.

3. Get back to its core business of arguing with regulators

The Chinese government (is one of the few) who revised regulations to legalise ride-hailing services. Uber still has policy battles to face across Europe and the US. Further afield in South East Asia and India, they’re competing against Grab and Ola whose local knowledge, networks and government navigation cards are proving key weapons.

4. Using personal data in even crayer ways

From a consumer’s battery life and cell towers pinged to drivers’ dead miles- UberKnows. Whether you believe Uber is close to malware-esq data techniques, or not — it’s undeniable that its use of ‘big data’ to predict patterns has powered its profits and ability to outperform competitors. The saying goes, if you’re not paying for the product (Google, Facebook), then you are the product — in Uber’s case it’s both.

Uber fatigue- just arm yourself with these scary stats

• Uber is in 76 countries, 400+ cities, provided >2bn rides in under 7 years
• Most highly valued private company in Silicon Valley at $68bn (more than Ford(!))
• Globally does >2m rides daily -Didi nails over 10m!
• One app. FFS

If ever in doubt about Uber (derived from the word super), remember Travis came top of Nintendo’s Wii Tennis. Just think- all the gamers who spend hours on end- he beat them ALL.

Startup stalk corner (Companies I like.)

From taxis to tuk-tuks, I interviewed Leah Rodrigues from Holi coats to discuss supporting a local economy, through sewing, in Cambodia. Retailing at the higher, designer end of women’s fashion in the West, push back for her endeavours were not from locals or government but the expat community… for providing an employment funnel for women who undertook charity-run sewing initiatives.

Now bossing a fashion line and opening her manufacturing doors to other brands through Holi Studios, she’s popping up across London and in corporates. LISTEN HERE!

Here’s to the rise of socially-minded businesses as consumers (hopefully) care more about the brands they’re supporting and what goes on behind the scenes- alongside price, quality and service. If you’re interested in new attitudes to wealth, success and possessions, Stephen Hawking wrote a post-Brexit piece in the Guardian on the topic, pointing out “just like children, we will have to learn to share”.

Digi-stationary for the pencil case

That one Apple setting which will prolong your battery life

General > Background App Refresh > Off. Try it!

Android users- be smug.

Shower thoughts

(contributed via Reddit)

• When you buckle your seatbelt, you’re wearing a car
• Rainbows are solar powered
• Right now I’m making you say this in your head. Strange right?

Coming up- full STEAM ahead

Obsessed with subscription services killing it after the success of Dollar Shave Club (full read here) and the Calm mindfulness app (interview here), I’m talking to Sahar Maghani from Trunkaroo.

It’s an ‘edutainment’ subscription box for parents who want their kids to get hands-on with creative projects in the Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts and Maths fields. Another womenpreneur, we’ll discuss solving a real need for mothers, the psychology behind combining left/right brain learning and gender neutral toys.

As always, spread the lurv and share this with peeps you don’t have much to say to with this link http://eepurl.com/bQheMj

Have a cracking week and LEARN SOMETHING with the podcast serieshere!

P E A C E. SS