What is Uber?
Of course, the ride app takes its origins from the word in the normal lexicon. And the dictionary defines “uber” as “Denoting an outstanding or supreme example of a particular kind of person or thing.”
I think, so far, the company is right on the mark.
Do you remember when Uber first came on the scene?
Will Farrell was in the commercials, doing what Will Farrell does: fancy car, bling, cool shoes, and rockstar looks, making it all fun and approachable.
Uber was JUST a car service then. Or so we thought!
Today, Uber has grown to operate in more than 10,500 cities in 70 countries and is officially “Uber Technologies.” As with any great vanguard idea, they have numerous competitors: Lyft, Alto, Bird, Waymo, and more every day.
But is that really competition for Uber?
Uber was – and is – so much more than just a ride-hailing service.
They have evolved into a complete ecosystem of solutions.
Car service? Check.
Food delivery? Check.
Scooter service? Check.
Black car service? Check.
Airplane?! Yup!
Boat? You guessed it – check.
And now, Uber offers rental cars, too.
The system construct allows for the delivery of pretty much anything.
Uber IS and WAS a disruptor. They rose to meet the need for the way people think about what they need, when they need it, and how it’s delivered to them.
Now, I am sure that Uber went through rough patches (in fact, we know they did). But the model was to attract people. And once you attract the eyeballs, they are yours. You begin to understand what they want and need. And then, just have to deliver on it, making it seamless and easy.
“Denoting an outstanding or supreme example of a particular kind of person or thing.”
I think that’s something to strive for in all aspects of business and life!
-J.D.