Let's break it down:
1605: The first taxi service launches via horse & carriage 1908: The first car-based taxi service launches (yep, yellow cars) 2009: Brett tries to impress a girl by hailing a cab in SF. He's unsuccessful. 2010: Uber launches to help wealthy people hail a limo easier 2012: Lyft launches to help hitchhikers hail a ride easier 2012: Suddenly hitchhiking is socially acceptable and normal people use Lyft 2012: Uber launches UberX to compete with Lyft 2012: Taxis are like "hey, who want's a ride?" 2012: Sidecar launches. No one really knows why 2013: Uber and Lyft start playing dirty 2013: Competition drives ride-sharing costs down 2013: Taxis start to get upset, but don't do much about it 2014: Lyft lanches Lyft Line, followed shortly after by Uber Pool, making the costs even cheaper 2014: Lyft and Uber build out insanely innovative features to attract attention (cat delivery, the World Series ball?) 2014: Taxis are now really upset, but still not doing anything about it 2014: Elon Musk starts to wonder if electric vehicles are really the future (spoof) 2014: Uber launches UberChopper because that.is.awesome 2014: Brett sells his car because ride-sharing is easier in the city 2014: Uber announces plans to deliver packages via it's drivers and bicyclists, disrupting the parcel industry 2014: Uber, and CEO Travis, land in hot water for this, this, and just a history of controversial tactics 2014: Lyft sues their former COO for allegedly stealing company secrets before joining Uber 2014: Uber launches UberFresh to deliver food to users in Beverly Hills (expanding I'm sure) 2014: South Korea becomes the latest jurisdiction to take legal measures against Uber and non-taxi ride sharing 2014: On NYE, Uber and Lyft warn users of heavy surge prices 2014: Flywheel, an uber-like service for registered taxis, hits it big, offering an incredible NYE deal 2015 early morning Jan 1: The first day in ages when techies flocked to taxis. Uber and Lyft drivers complain. This is a competition worth studying. I did something a couple weeks ago that gives people pause. You know when you're telling a story and the person across from you is in their own world, they're listening but not really? You're going on about something you find interesting, maybe your dog or that new co-worker, but then you say something, something simple and it catches their ear. They perk up, they lean in a tad, they smile if the setting calls for it, and you know you've got them. They're hooked, interested, engaged. That's the scene every time I tell someone I spent a week without texting. 7 days, not a single text*, and the reason? Well I'll get to that. But first, I decided to document the takeaways for my own sake and for anyone who's interested. Let's go.
It was a snap decision made in the middle of a Thursday evening happy hour. I didn't send any final texts or binge the night before to get texting out of my system. Nope, just a spur of the moment decision brought about by a bar-room conversation. If this seems unusual, then you don't know me. I'm always up for a challenge, especially spontaneous ones that I can chalk up as an adventure. So what did I learn?
In a world where we have to try harder to engage someone, hook them in as I said in the opening paragraph, communication methods are king. If anyone else tries the 'No Texting' challenge, let me know. I want to hear your anecdotes and stories. So why did I accept this challenge at all? It was just for the sake of the challenge, a personal victory. Now onto the next one... _____ *Okay two texts got sent out of habit, and each was met with severe angst the moment I remembered the challenge. The first to get through was just to let a friend now I'd be a few minutes late. The second text, I don't even remember. Wasn't important. Damn habits. |
AuthorBrett Bernstein - Startup founder, and big fan of almond butter and mornings. Archives
March 2016
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