Thought this was really spot on.
The knives get sharpened and readied.
At some point, they come flying out of nowhere.
Often, from all directions at the same time.
When it rains, it pours.
Some people latch on to the opportunity to try and make a kill.
You do your best to duck this way and that and survive the onslaught.
Hopefully, you were adequately prepared.
The big question is–can you hold unto your cheese?
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
As everyone knows, Uber is essentially–for now–a high-tech taxi company.
And high-tech tends to command high price.
But they are IMHO very overconfident of their position.
And while I generally like taking Ubers, I would go so far to say that in many respects they are potential dead cab meat!
Why?
– Not because their leadership is in disarray and their founder and CEO was just forced to resign.
– Not because they have a disastrous corporate culture.
– Not because of their uber low or not profitable margins.
– Not because of the threat of autonomous driverless vehicles.
– Not because of the (alleged) stolen documents from Google.
– Not because Uber is (potentially) overvalued at nearly $70 billion (more than GM, Ford, or Honda)!
– Not because of its numerous competitors coming up from behind, including Lyft.
But a major reason is because:
They just gave you a not-so-hidden increase in price by tacking on a new tipping mechanism that will result in many people paying as much as a 20% hike to their overall fares.
Uber is now losing a sizable portion of their price point competitive advantage!
With the risks involved here, who could be so overconfident?
Perhaps, it’s time to take a cab or hovercraft somewhere else.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
(All represents my own opinions)
Well after the now notorious email scandal and other information security mishaps galore, this advertisement in Washington, DC is really quite the rage.
“Keeps classified data classified.”
As parents tell their children about keeping private things private:
“If you can’t keep it a secret, then how do you expect the other kids to keep it to themselves?”
There are lots of secrets in DC, but there are also a lot of big mouths, security negligence, and even corruption.
This gives our adversaries the opportunities they need to get our countries vital information.
We work too hard to develop the best intellectual property for national security and our economy as well as the critical policies for advancing human rights and democracy around the world to let it just be easy fodder for others to help themselves too.
Technology won’t solve the gap in certain big mouths and sloppy Joes around town.
Only vigilant, smart people can protect the nations vital information that is the fuel for our success and survival. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I took this photo in the Washington, D.C. Metro today.
What do you think it is?
Lots of electronics, wires, lights–and in front of it and holding the door open is a “caution” pylon.
This is one of the faregates to get into the metro system for the Capital region.
Now how “smart” is it to leave the door wide open to this contraption.
Usually the basics of physical security is gates, guards, and guns–in this case, the gates part is broken.
The Department of Homeland Security was provided another week of funding to work out the immigration mess pitting Congress against the President…
But even with DHS still up and running, security is looking a little too wide open again. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
andyblumenthal 