Uber’s Quest to Hit on Another Moonshot Product
Photo Credit: Uber COO Barney Harford, right, at Skift Global Forum 2018 in New York City. Skift
Skift Take
Uber needs to fix its culture and hit another moonshot beyond ridesharing. Nobody is quite sure where it will come from, but the result of investments in flying cars, autonomous cars, and a logistics network for businesses will be clear soon.
Uber had a very bad 2017. The departure of founder and CEO Travis Kalanick under accusations of improper behavior and discrimination were only the tip the iceberg amid security breaches, violence against riders and drivers, and an inability to turn a profit.
So how is the new regime headed by CEO Dara Khosrowshahi faring? Well, the turnaround is still in process, with a focus on reforming the company's toxic, sexist culture.
"Clearly, the opportunity for Dara and I to come in and take these roles wouldn't have happened if there weren't challenges in the company," said Barney Harford, Uber's chief operating officer and former CEO of online booking site Orbitz, at Skift Global Forum in New York on Friday. "(Last year) was a really bad year for the company. Dara has been very clear, he has set a very clear cultural value that we will do the right thing, a new commitment to the right behavior and a commitment to partnership with cities around the world to solve their problems. Twelv
