Uber has been going downhill. Just yesterday a driver at LaGuardia disconnected me after finding out I was going to Queens not Manhattan. Their standards are falling dramatically. I am going to try Lyft.
1
"This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who’s wired for problem solving" -
But not someone smart enough to realize that Uber IS the problem.
But not someone smart enough to realize that Uber IS the problem.
5
Heard from a friend whose friend's kid, a freshly minted UCSD computer science grad, got a $200K job offer. Of course she took it. Money talks
p.s. her case might be special since she is female (obviously) and minority.
p.s. her case might be special since she is female (obviously) and minority.
Marissa sounded eager to get the job, take the job, make it hers last week. For most of us, we would wonder why she would want the job. And we would also wonder why Uber would want her. By many standards, she is a horrible failure, taking down Yahoo and leaving it in ashes. And yet, Silicon Valley now has morphed into a place where celebrity rules and venture capital funders are enamored with a great show, a big party.
3
Such a terrible title. Uber offers many of thankless jobs, which they refuse to call jobs. The drivers are on their own if anything goes wrong. The pay is meager and the drivers are slaves to the app and rankings by random customers.
The CEO of Uber is guaranteed to make hundreds of millions irrespectively of any contribution they make to Uber, the economy, or our society. Yes - this money is paid for by the Uber drivers who don't even work for Uber. Many of them don't make a living wage and cannot pay their car loans (of which Uber makes more money ...)
The CEO of Uber is guaranteed to make hundreds of millions irrespectively of any contribution they make to Uber, the economy, or our society. Yes - this money is paid for by the Uber drivers who don't even work for Uber. Many of them don't make a living wage and cannot pay their car loans (of which Uber makes more money ...)
12
one of the perspective fixers
"the former Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer; "
perfect.
"the former Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer; "
perfect.
2
I'm an ex UBER employee. I put in 3 years at the HQ developing their IT dept. I left about a year ago. I think UBER will weather this storm, because people need rides and the service works so well. Quite simply they offer a service people want at an affordable price. But I expect more from my old employer.
I gotta tell you the journey from proudly being on the tip of the spear of the "sharing economy" with drivers taking home serious $, to questioning my role in propogating some of the more exploitative aspects of capitalism's externalities, was a rocky road to say the least. I felt betrayed in many ways
I simultaneously hold hope, arguably willing naiveté, for the re-invention of UBER as a leader in corporate responsibility. I know the amazing capacity and the intentions of many people that work at UBER. Under leadership that holds philosophical perspective superior to TKs objectivism, I know this could be the biggest turn around in modern history.
I fought unsuccessfully for it while I was there, perhaps I wasn't "comfortable with confrontation", to make my case or any real difference. I justify failure internally, cause I was exhausted from 2.5 years of 60-70 hour weeks. But now there is a chance to harness the great minds, the innovation, and relentless work ethic of the best of UBER. I believe it's possible to bridge the good vs greed debate and I believe UBER is capable and uniquely positioned to transcend it. You got this UBER you were always better then you are.
I gotta tell you the journey from proudly being on the tip of the spear of the "sharing economy" with drivers taking home serious $, to questioning my role in propogating some of the more exploitative aspects of capitalism's externalities, was a rocky road to say the least. I felt betrayed in many ways
I simultaneously hold hope, arguably willing naiveté, for the re-invention of UBER as a leader in corporate responsibility. I know the amazing capacity and the intentions of many people that work at UBER. Under leadership that holds philosophical perspective superior to TKs objectivism, I know this could be the biggest turn around in modern history.
I fought unsuccessfully for it while I was there, perhaps I wasn't "comfortable with confrontation", to make my case or any real difference. I justify failure internally, cause I was exhausted from 2.5 years of 60-70 hour weeks. But now there is a chance to harness the great minds, the innovation, and relentless work ethic of the best of UBER. I believe it's possible to bridge the good vs greed debate and I believe UBER is capable and uniquely positioned to transcend it. You got this UBER you were always better then you are.
8
It's the drivers who have the "thankless" jobs! Exploited, personally abused by the CEO, and locked into a no-benefits-no-security modern-day version of indentured servitude!
Just the way the CEOs and Republicans want it!
Just the way the CEOs and Republicans want it!
10
Sounds low risk to me! Execs who fail still end up making loads of money and are often rewarded by even better compensation at the next job! Since results don't matter, of course folks are itching for the job.
9
I had a coworker who used to say he was always willing to hold someone's crying baby. If the baby keeps crying, no one faults you; but if you're able to get the tears to stop flowing, you're a hero. It's the same with Uber.
13
While I realize the media has made much ado about Uber's annus horribilis, its only potentially unfixable problem in recent times has been the lawsuit filed against it by Google's autonomous-car unit alleging that Uber has been using its illegally appropriated IP. The judge in the case recently dismissed all but one of the charges, however, so it's unlikely the suit poses an existential threat to Uber's entire business.
As for finding a new CEO: I'm surprised only that The Times is surprised so many prospective candidates are interested in the position. I mean, come on: pulling off a turnaround at one of the most infamously troubled companies in recent times is the type of accomplishment that would effectively guarantee the CEO a blank check as to wherever and whatever s/he wants to do next.
Further, what's often lost amidst all the headlines over Uber's scandals du jour is that the company's basically a cash cow, despite its huge losses. It recently completed its FIVE BILLIONTH ride, and contrary to popular assumption, its losses stem almost entirely from its global expansion efforts and R&D spending on its autonomous-vehicle program. There's been zero *tangible* proof that Uber somehow "can't make a profit" solely from its core ride-hail business. I'd argue the opposite, in fact: if executed properly, it's a brilliantly low-overhead business model. There's also little but speculation that Uber is still subsidizing its rides to a large degree.
As for finding a new CEO: I'm surprised only that The Times is surprised so many prospective candidates are interested in the position. I mean, come on: pulling off a turnaround at one of the most infamously troubled companies in recent times is the type of accomplishment that would effectively guarantee the CEO a blank check as to wherever and whatever s/he wants to do next.
Further, what's often lost amidst all the headlines over Uber's scandals du jour is that the company's basically a cash cow, despite its huge losses. It recently completed its FIVE BILLIONTH ride, and contrary to popular assumption, its losses stem almost entirely from its global expansion efforts and R&D spending on its autonomous-vehicle program. There's been zero *tangible* proof that Uber somehow "can't make a profit" solely from its core ride-hail business. I'd argue the opposite, in fact: if executed properly, it's a brilliantly low-overhead business model. There's also little but speculation that Uber is still subsidizing its rides to a large degree.
4
Marissa Mayer? Last I checked, her previous gig didn't do so well.
4
Where do I send my resume?
3
I don't get the uber hate. Yes, they are a company with problems. But they are disrupting an industry which for years were monopolies and hated for their customer service.
4
The type of Culture Change that is required is an extremely tough task for the new CEO. Kalanick remains on the Board and holds controlling shares of stock and is involved in the selection of the new CEO.
Additional there is a core of employees that have voiced their opposition to Kalanick departure..
Also, there is much discontent among the driver who aren't earning anything close to what they thought and feel Uber keeps raising the bar!
And of course there's a lot of competition from companies that are well managed.
Additional there is a core of employees that have voiced their opposition to Kalanick departure..
Also, there is much discontent among the driver who aren't earning anything close to what they thought and feel Uber keeps raising the bar!
And of course there's a lot of competition from companies that are well managed.
1
How stupid, it will pay a very good wage and if you fix the issues the IPO will make you very wealthy. If I thought I could do the job I would take a swing at it.
It might involve writing, for example.
1
Why would anyone not want a senior executive position at a large corporation paying millions? If you do well, the incentive rewards are astounding. If you do poorly and are forced out, the severance rewards are equally astounding. There's literally no downside, none at all.
Positions like this also come with a guarantee of no jail time if you commit crimes, only minor fines if you harm the environment and privileged access to politicians who will legislate your priorities in return for modest campaign contributions. They you get to avoid tax by sending revenue and profits around the globe several times, and sit on the renumeration committees of you peers, who will be happy to award you a 15% annual rise as long as you do the same for them.
Positions like this also come with a guarantee of no jail time if you commit crimes, only minor fines if you harm the environment and privileged access to politicians who will legislate your priorities in return for modest campaign contributions. They you get to avoid tax by sending revenue and profits around the globe several times, and sit on the renumeration committees of you peers, who will be happy to award you a 15% annual rise as long as you do the same for them.
16
Go ahead. Get in a car with a complete stranger, who no one knows anything about.
1
"Go ahead. Get in a car with a complete stranger, who no one knows anything about."
You mean aside from their name and license-plate tag? Or the fact that every Uber/Lyft driver in the country undergoes a comprehensive pre-employment background check, one that looks for both a criminal history as well as a problematic driving history? (e.g. convictions for reckless driving and DUIs) Or the reality that both companies maintain permanent records of EVERY trip, giving them the ability to immediately identify either a driver or passenger who causes a serious problem during a given trip?
You mean aside from their name and license-plate tag? Or the fact that every Uber/Lyft driver in the country undergoes a comprehensive pre-employment background check, one that looks for both a criminal history as well as a problematic driving history? (e.g. convictions for reckless driving and DUIs) Or the reality that both companies maintain permanent records of EVERY trip, giving them the ability to immediately identify either a driver or passenger who causes a serious problem during a given trip?
2
True you don't have a wealth of knowledge about the driver. But that is not markedly different than getting into a taxi. Same criticism must be given to both ride-sharing services and taxis if at all.
2
The lines of the Uber headquarters remind me of the Pan Am Worldport at JFK, which was obsolete the day it opened. (One word: Jetway.) Was that the right model to emulate?
Yeah, I think Uber is doing just fine outside of the whacky left-wing circles on Twitter and the NYTimes. I would happily take the CEO job. First act as CEO is to remove tipping again and keep the focus on users.
I was visiting friends in Hartford CT last weekend and my buddy decided that we should take Uber to downtown and back. He uses Uber all the time however I was amazed at how easy it was to get a car.
In both directions, it was female drivers which I thought was interesting. The driver home told us she is a nurse and only became a driver as she wanted to see what it was all about; the money was not good.
I asked what was her biggest complaint and she stated driving 10 minutes to pick up someone who is only going 2 blocks.
She also told us that a friend of hers drives for Uber.eats and he doesn't make any money.
In both directions, it was female drivers which I thought was interesting. The driver home told us she is a nurse and only became a driver as she wanted to see what it was all about; the money was not good.
I asked what was her biggest complaint and she stated driving 10 minutes to pick up someone who is only going 2 blocks.
She also told us that a friend of hers drives for Uber.eats and he doesn't make any money.
6
I really feel for the drivers who thought they would benefit from the gig economy. But if UBER is not the side job that it claims to be, with added expenditures and broken promises, just stop driving for UBER. UBER relies on contractors to improve its algorithm; eventually these contractors will have worked themselves out of a job.
1
One very large issue facing all of the ride hailing companies that never gets mentioned is the question of the impact of heavy mileage on the cars used to deliver the service. Operator owned, the income stream from delivering the service has to provide the equivalent of what fleet maintenance provided to traditional taxi and limousine service providers--even if they were owner operators. Maintenance and service are inevitable and unless I'm missing something Uber and its ilk don't provide it. Sooner or later their business model will either handle the matter or they will fail. Drivers who can't support that maintenance profitably will leave the business. You hear how Uber and Lift are part time, but you also hear about 200 and 300 mile shifts. Perform that 3 times a week times 50 or even 48 and you put a tens of thousands of miles on an automobile. Some drivers may swap in additional cars, but probably not. If anything more than genuine part time, it's a heavy load to carry, and not particularly sustainable.
12
"One very large issue facing all of the ride hailing companies that never gets mentioned is the question of the impact of heavy mileage on the cars used to deliver the service."
Actually, this is rarely mentioned because it's rarely a problem: only 12% of Uber drivers work 40+ hours per week. (This is also why ride-hail cars aren't required to undergo quarterly inspections, as is the case for most taxicabs.) Also, this is the whole point of IRS reimbursements for mileage: the 54 cents per mile that a driver gets to deduct on his tax returns is meant to cover the costs of vehicle maintenance and depreciation.
"You hear how Uber and Lift are part time, but you also hear about 200 and 300 mile shifts."
One may "hear" many things about Uber, but that doesn't mean they're true. The average Uber/Lyft driver travels less than 200 miles per *week*, not per shift.
Actually, this is rarely mentioned because it's rarely a problem: only 12% of Uber drivers work 40+ hours per week. (This is also why ride-hail cars aren't required to undergo quarterly inspections, as is the case for most taxicabs.) Also, this is the whole point of IRS reimbursements for mileage: the 54 cents per mile that a driver gets to deduct on his tax returns is meant to cover the costs of vehicle maintenance and depreciation.
"You hear how Uber and Lift are part time, but you also hear about 200 and 300 mile shifts."
One may "hear" many things about Uber, but that doesn't mean they're true. The average Uber/Lyft driver travels less than 200 miles per *week*, not per shift.
Haters are pointing out that this job is hardly as thankless as being a teacher and the likely 10 figure comp package is all the thanks you need.
They are missing the point - anyone qualified for and being targeted for the job can already get a job that pays as well but without the headaches and scrutiny.
They are missing the point - anyone qualified for and being targeted for the job can already get a job that pays as well but without the headaches and scrutiny.
9
MTS, you are missing the point. The person who takes this job will likely get a 50% or greater raise. They will also get paid hundreds of millions in severance even if they fail, in effect getting a guaranteed massive increase in compensation. Does any other type of job have that type of "headaches" and "scrutiny"?
2
Someone with the right perspective could make Uber work, but presently, the strategy of exploiting drivers with the promise of entrepreneurial grandeur and great earnings is deeply embedded in the Uber business model. In May, Uber took another shot at driver earnings by eliminating the revenue-sharing model that built Uber. Henceforth, Uber drivers are now paid by mileage and time. Uber made this move so they could sidestep the rate war they've been waging with Lyft. It was a brilliant move, but as always, the drivers pay the price.
Full disclosure, Uber loses money on almost every UberPOOL ride. But that's their fault, they set the rates. I've never met an Uber driver who likes UberPOOL rides. They're time consuming, which drives down hourly earnings. Uber treats us, the drivers, as employees by not allowing us to select rides by both rider location and rider destination. We don't know where riders are going until they're in our vehicle. That's wrong. We are responsible for running our business. We pay expenses for our vehicle, gas, insurance and maintenance. Then Uber snuffs out the very information that would help us make more money.
We are employees. And we're the most important element of Uber's business model. This is what happens when a company is over capitalized. They do stupid stuff. Like launching UberEATS when their core business is still losing money. However they hire as CEO/COO, that person better come to terms with driver dissatisfaction. It's real.
Full disclosure, Uber loses money on almost every UberPOOL ride. But that's their fault, they set the rates. I've never met an Uber driver who likes UberPOOL rides. They're time consuming, which drives down hourly earnings. Uber treats us, the drivers, as employees by not allowing us to select rides by both rider location and rider destination. We don't know where riders are going until they're in our vehicle. That's wrong. We are responsible for running our business. We pay expenses for our vehicle, gas, insurance and maintenance. Then Uber snuffs out the very information that would help us make more money.
We are employees. And we're the most important element of Uber's business model. This is what happens when a company is over capitalized. They do stupid stuff. Like launching UberEATS when their core business is still losing money. However they hire as CEO/COO, that person better come to terms with driver dissatisfaction. It's real.
29
If you don't like it, why not just stop turning the app on?
With all due respect, Uber drivers are not employees -- or at least not as far as current law is concerned. While labor laws vary by state, Uber does not expend the requisite amount of "control" over its drivers for them to validly claim reclassification as employees. To put it another way, nearly all American taxi drivers are classified as contractors as well, and they have a considerably *better* argument for employee classification than Uber or Lyft drivers do. (Nearly all of them work fixed shifts as well as full-time; in contrast, Uber and Lyft have zero fixed shifts, and 80%+ of their drivers work fewer than 20 hours per week.)
Also, the reason Uber and Lyft alike don't reveal to drivers where a given passenger is going (prior to the commencement of a trip) is for entirely solid public-policy reasons, namely the prevention of redlining: the practice of refusing passengers rides to parts of a city a driver arbitrarily deems to be "dangerous." This has been a problem with taxis for decades, and almost invariably involves persons of color seeking a ride to what a driver perceives as a "ghetto." Note that this practice is illegal -- for taxis and ride-hail services alike -- under federal law as well as most local ordinances. It is therefore not "wrong" in any real way.
Finally, the fact that you "run your business" and pay for all of your vehicular expenses is an argument *against* reclassification as employees, not one in favor of it.
Also, the reason Uber and Lyft alike don't reveal to drivers where a given passenger is going (prior to the commencement of a trip) is for entirely solid public-policy reasons, namely the prevention of redlining: the practice of refusing passengers rides to parts of a city a driver arbitrarily deems to be "dangerous." This has been a problem with taxis for decades, and almost invariably involves persons of color seeking a ride to what a driver perceives as a "ghetto." Note that this practice is illegal -- for taxis and ride-hail services alike -- under federal law as well as most local ordinances. It is therefore not "wrong" in any real way.
Finally, the fact that you "run your business" and pay for all of your vehicular expenses is an argument *against* reclassification as employees, not one in favor of it.
7
I don't like it. I'm not an Uber driver, and I don't have the app installed on my phone.
How do you suggest I get the hordes of awful Uber drivers who now clog the streets of my city to GO AWAY? A third of any traffic jam in the city now consists of Uber cars, with drivers who seem to have no idea how to actually get anywhere in town.
How do you suggest I get the hordes of awful Uber drivers who now clog the streets of my city to GO AWAY? A third of any traffic jam in the city now consists of Uber cars, with drivers who seem to have no idea how to actually get anywhere in town.
1
Does the NY Times have any idea how elitist your are to say that a job that pays, I am sure, hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, is "Thankless"
I am sure there are lots and lots and lots of highly qualified hardworking people who would be overjoyed to take almost any job at what a CEO makes
I am sure there are lots and lots and lots of highly qualified hardworking people who would be overjoyed to take almost any job at what a CEO makes
40
Oh Mr. Abrams, how naive you are. That job does not pay hundreds of thousands. That is chump change. The job pays millions, many millions.
9
Golden parachutes are a strong incentive to take any job.
19
If the Board were really smart and thinking outside the box, which they are not, they might want to consider this. Rather than waste valuable time with talking about the attributes needed for a new CEO to run the company further into the ground, think “Uber Drivers”.
Why not elect/appoint some of your new and seasoned drivers as a standing Committee that has a voice in the future of Uber. I call them “Stakeholders”. They would have a voice in the governance of the company. Get good feedback from the workforce and present it to Management for action. If you do this it may very well save the company from further negative press.
I have always kept in the back of my mind what a mentor told me over 40 years ago. Remember, your people can make you or break you. Take care of them.
Why not elect/appoint some of your new and seasoned drivers as a standing Committee that has a voice in the future of Uber. I call them “Stakeholders”. They would have a voice in the governance of the company. Get good feedback from the workforce and present it to Management for action. If you do this it may very well save the company from further negative press.
I have always kept in the back of my mind what a mentor told me over 40 years ago. Remember, your people can make you or break you. Take care of them.
7
Was your mentors name Karl Marx?
Uber is not the highest valued private company in the world. For example, Koch Industries and Cargill are each valued well in excess of $70B.
5
A multi-million dollar paycheck with no actual responsibility? Yeah, I'd apply that too.
31
Thankless? Really, with millions of dollars in salary and compensation? Being a public defender is thankless, being a social worker, a nurse, a cop, a teacher. Being a CEO, even of a malicious company like Uber, is not thankless. Even when you fail they throw money at you. And you always get lots of second chances.
76
By your comment, it seems like you are thanking public defenders, social workers, nurses, cops, and teachers. Many people do. As this comment board shows, there is not a lot of sympathy or love for CEOs. And right now, the Uber CEO position is among the lowest of the low. That is what the author means by thankless. It is a lot more than money, and the people identified who are applying for this position could make the same amount of money in many other jobs, so there must be something else driving them to apply.