What can we learn from Uber?

After seeing Uber’s first pitch deck that they made in Aug 2008 [ https://medium.com/@gc/the-beginning-of-uber-7fb17e544851 ], I think we can safely make the following inferences:

1. We are grossly underestimating ourselves.
2. You don’t need to know everything to the last detail when you start off.
3. You don’t need to have big dreams. If you dream of a small office with 10 cabs, it is just fine.
4. Don’t make a pitch. It doesn’t matter. What matters is this: Your product or service. If it is useful, efficient, cheap, saves time then it will sell. Pitches don’t sell.
5. Customers are always looking for a better product or service at a cheaper price. They are not willing to pay more. Look at the total volume of sales and the net profit you will make instead of the % you make in every single transaction.
6. With so many scandals – toxic work place culture to squeezing drivers pay to delaying drivers payments, if Uber can be valued at US $ 69 Billion, think of the value one can create if those scandals are avoided. But, at the end of the day, scandals don’t matter. Service does.
7. We should take only the good things [focus on the +ves], leave the rest and move on.
8. We should adapt fast to the changing landscape.
9. We should be in news always, preferably for the right reasons unlike Uber.
10. You don’t need to invent anything new. If you solve one problem, it is just fine.
11. You don’t need to think 10 years ahead or be futuristic. But when the opportunity presents itself, you should be able to kick ass, grab it and scale up in no time.
12. Execution is of paramount importance. Idea is a given.

Happy Selling !!