Story Of Uber “Everyone’s Private Driver”

When two entrepreneurs meet for a conference and don’t get a taxi on time, what do they do? They Invent Uber!

This is the story of how Uber came to be. When two entrepreneurs Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanik met in Paris for the Leweb conference in 2008, they both had no idea that the night was going to gift them with the idea of a lifetime.

Garrett had just sold StumbleUpon to Ebay and Kalanik had just completed his tour with Akamai after selling Red Swoosh to them in 2007.

Over long sessions of Eating and drinking, Garrett and kalanik talked and discussed various ideas and shared their vision for the future with each other. Garrett had a vision for solving the big taxi problem in San Francisco. It was a problem most San Franciscans experienced, Garrett being one of them.

Initially, the idea was establishing a reliable and quickly accessible black car service. But as we all know, they both went on to expand their vision worldwide. Acc. To stats around late-2015, Uber was estimated to be worth $62.5 billion.

The Idea

Uber wanted to provide a platform to link people in need of a ride with available drivers. Uber’s task was figuring out a way to do it in the already existing, heavy mesh of transport.

Uber’s task also included managing this network of drivers and passengers, along with providing a variety of options for the passengers. Also, the service needed to be financially beneficial for the drivers. Convenience and availability was the priority on the customer’s front.

It goes without saying that the recent tech advancements have a major part in the success story of Uber.

Thanks to that, UberCab, which was Uber’s name at the time, was able to perform a beta test in the Bay Area in March 2010 with plans to expand to other large U.S. cities by the end of the year.

Uber had to figure out a way to achieve their vision of connecting the customers and the drivers. They made use of connectedness modern world had to offer. This led to the development of their smartphone application.

Using this app, the Users can check out the available rides in the area and order one just by a simple click, their location automatically available to the driver with the help of GPS, although not their number. The passengers can also see the real-time progress of their ride, thanks to Google maps. The customers can share their cab status and the ride feed is generated once the transaction is complete. Customers don’t need to worry about payment as it is done online with credit cards. In India company also provides the option of cash payment, as the Smartphone penetration in India is only around 18-19%.

Uber has a simple structure. The company doesn’t own any vehicles themselves. They just provide the opportunity to people who can work for themselves, also helping Uber in the process. Drivers can easily sign up online to provide their service. Passengers get to enjoy lower rates, thanks to company’s efficient structuring. The drivers are their own masters as they get to decide how much and when they want to work. It is also an opportunity for anyone who has a vehicle and wants to earn some money part-time.

There is also the concept of surge pricing. Although it has been the point of critique amongst people, but according to Uber’s blog, it is done to uphold Uber’s promise of availability on all occasions.

On occasions when the demand exceeds the availability of Uber cabs, then surge pricing is turned on. In this, a multiplier is turned on and the fare becomes 1x, 2x and so on. The customer can select the suitable multiplier, and the ride will be there as soon as one is available.

Similarly, the increased fare provides incentive for more drivers to come out and hence the demand and supply is balanced.

Did i miss anything? Please let me know!

Haiku for her

Today I just came across this very interesting form of Japanese poetry writing called "Haiku".
And to add to my suprise these poems are of just three lines (with some sort of technicalities involving syllables, I know you don't want to go that deep into the shit !!! So period.)

SHORT and CRISP..

Well, I too had tried my hands on haitu...
Here's one...

Looking through heaven's window

She smiled at me

Rain of her unflinching love

Is it worth it to do an MBA degree?

A comprehensive article discussing the pros and cons of doing MBA

As a student pursuing graduation or a professional stuck in your mundane job, you must have heard a lot about how MBA is a lucrative field and has immense scope. You must also be ‘thinking’ of doing an MBA. Many students opt to pursue management programs post their graduation as it enhances their career opportunities, salary packages and job promotions. But, is the picture as rosy as it appears from far? In this article, I aim to clear the myths related to MBA and to help you make an informed decision if you want to pursue an MBA Degree.

Overview of MBA Degree

MBA is one of the most popular degrees in India. The top colleges for MBA in India are Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs A, B, C, L, I, K) along with other institutes like S.P.Jain, MDI, JBIMS, XLRI, etc. MNCs in India have been spoilt for choice, and they offer managerial designations and hefty pay packages. The average salary offered at the top 10 B-schools last year for Indian postings was Rs. 12-15 Lacs per annum. There are a number of entrance exams that am MBA aspirant should know about and in due course appear for. The most popular among these is CAT, followed by XAT, SNAP, NMAT, etc.

An MBA program introduces students to the various areas of business such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, operations management, etc. Most of the core MBA courses teach general management in the first year, and the students can select the specialisation in the second year, though many institutes also offer specialised courses like MBA HR or MBA IB along with General MBA programs

There are some subjects like Marketing Management, Statistics, Economics, Organizational Behavior, Law,etc. that are thought to MBA students, that too through real-life situations 'or case studies. MBA is a pretty rigorous program. Say goodbye to 10 hours of sleep, and say hello to all-nighters where you have to slog to meet deadlines. It is also an investment as the average cost of a two-year residential program in a premier institute will be 12-15 Lacs. Therefore, ROI becomes an important consideration before joining an MBA Program.

Let's look at both sides of the MBA debate through the following points:

When is it worth it?

The benefits of pursuing MBA are manifold, such as:
• It provides you core knowledge of the field of business and helps in developing skills relevant to business.
• An MBA in an opportunity multiplier, it opens so many avenues for you and expands your pool of opportunities.
• The network one gains during the management degree is irreplaceable. Alumni, Classmates, juniors, Faculty all become a part of your network.
• An MBA degree from a top institute adds credibility and prestige to your profile.
• It provides a platform through which you can intact with like-minded people from different walks of life and also showcase your skills.
• An MBA is essentially relevant for working professionals making a career change, or who are on a career path that requires an MBA to be promoted.

When is it not worth it?

It is essential to know when MBA is not worth it; the following points will clarify this:
• When you aren't sure what you want from the experience
• When you want to do an MBA just for the sake of doing an MBA, just because your best friend, elder brother or third cousin did it
• When you start looking at B- schools as job placement agencies (they provide much more than just placements).
• When you settle for a mediocre B-School with mediocre classmates
• When the premium you are paying for the B-School brand doesn't justify the value you get from it
• When you target institutes that have little or no credibility.
• If your aim is to an Entrepreneur and you have a mature business idea with you, then theopportunity cost is too high, you can launch your startupinstead of spending two crucial years in doing MBA.

The bottom line

Well, the bottom line depends on you, your goals, aims, skills and basically what you want from life. An MBA degree is useful if it’s from a top B-School and you have beaten competition in entrance exams to get in it. Also, it’s a good option if, you have the basic aptitude and personality to become a manager. MBA requires investment in terms of money, time and effort. If you can get a good ROI on this investment, then go for it. However, an MBA from a weaker school would be far less valuable. The education might be very similar, but you can also get this education other ways. The prestige/credibility and the alumni network at a lower ranked school would be much less.

Regards,

Vikas Joshi,

C.E.O. Sagacious Infotech Pvt. Ltd.

Answer Choices to Avoid in CAT RCs

In terms of CAT, it is easy to identify answers for the Quantitative Ability section; after all every question can only have one correct answer. But as soon as we start to consider Verbal Ability, things go haywire. We are not sure which option to select and which option to reject. The problem gets even worse for CAT reading comprehensions, where the options seem to be too close to discern differences among them, and this makes your job very tough.

Keeping this in mind, we list down the types of answer choices that you should generally avoid or be very wary of in the CAT reading comprehension passage. Most incorrect answer options can be divided into these categories; and follow this classification.

Types of Incorrect answer Choices in CAT Reading Comprehensions:

Extreme Words: Answer choices that use extreme words such as "only," "all," "always," "never" and "exclusively" are generally incorrect, and you should avoid them.

Scope trap: Some answer choices sound very good but are not actually related to the topic of the passage. They are outside the 'scope of the passage', that is they are not related to the actual topic of the passage.

Single Fact Focus: An answer choice might place focus on a single fact of the passage only whereas the question requires a more holistic answer. Avoid these types of choices which actually don't answer the given question (even though they present partially correct information).

Mish-Mash: Some answer choices might present partly correct information but might also contain incorrect information. Be careful of these answer choices; these are pretty inviting ones.

Opinion Answers: In some answer choices, the question setter might use words such as "more successful," "more effective" or "more efficient" and convert a factual piece of information into an opinion. Be careful of this trap.

Irrelevant Answers: Some answer choices are simply irrelevant. Make sure you are able to identify these pesky options.

The above given points provides you information with regards to the different kinds of answer choices built in CAT reading comprehension questions. Whenever you sit to solve a RC passage, try to classify the incorrect choices into these categories, and this should greatly enhance your learning.

4 Rules to Crack the Paragraph Completion questions in the CAT

No other question in the CAT is as deceptively simple as Paragraph Completion questions. Superficially, they do not require us to know or remember any rules. They, in fact, require us to do something far more difficult – to think like the writer.

Since the last month's post on RCs, I have been thinking hard over an appropriate parallel to explain the process of solving Paragraph Completion question. And all my thoughts end once again at the same point – Sherlock Holmes. Indeed, picking up the scattered clues, and building them into a clear chain of reasoning for anticipation are as inseparable as Sherlock and Watson.

Apart from his otherworldly observation skills, Sherlock possesses one quality that even the best at Scotland Yard (or pretty much anywhere else) do not. He can THINK LIKE a criminal. Following the flimsiest of clues – for example, Irene’s pulse – he can predict what the criminal will do next. And therefore, he is always one step AHEAD of his quarry.

Let us see how Sherlock would approach the Para Completion questions in the CAT:

Rule 1 for cracking Para Completion Questions:

“Sentiment is a chemical defect found in the losing side.” – From A Scandal in Belgravia

While answering Para Completion questions, the most important thing to remember is not to approach the answer option subjectively.

Sherlock often puts himself in the criminal’s shoes. He is able to keep his emotions, and more importantly his own perspective, out of the equation. He picks up clues from the observed behaviour of his target, and foresees the next step the criminal would take – however unlikely that step may seem.

Similarly, it is not about what in my opinion, or yours, should be the ending of the paragraph. It is for both of us to objectively follow the train of the writer’s thought, pick up the clues that exist in the paragraph, and reach the intended conclusion.

This conclusion must achieve the following:

a)     It must be a value addition to the given para

b)    It must preserve the unity of thought and structure

c)     It must be consistent in tone with the given para

This does not seem very difficult. Yet, we may unconsciously depart from the criteria while looking at the answer options. If we do not lose sight of the above objectives, the rest is usually a simple process of observing the standard patterns.

Rule 2 for cracking Para Completion Questions:

“From a drop of water a logician could infer the possibility of an Atlantic or a Niagara without having seen or heard of one or the other.” – from A Study in Scarlet

Do not wait till the clues present themselves. Read the paragraph with utmost involvement. Imagine that you are listening to the writer. Try to foresee what is coming, and pick up clues that may present a hint of any of the following patterns.

1. Cause – effect: One of the most common conclusion patterns. The paragraph presents us with causes, and the correct answer option presents us with the logical effect. Do remember that the effect cannot be in contradiction with the causes. In rare cases, effects are discussed in the paragraph, and the cause is inferred in the answer option.
2. Course-of-action: The paragraph presents us with a situation, and the correct answer offers a probable course of action.
3. A contrasting option: The paragraph presents us with a viewpoint, or several view points, elaborating on one side of the story. The correct answer option may present us with another side of the story. This is a potentially dangerous situation, as the test taker must be wary of the answer options that contradict the contents of the para instead of contrasting them. Contrast offers us an opposing viewpoint without invalidating the other. Contradiction essentially refutes what the given para asserts. Remember, the writer of the para will not ever sabotage his/her own argument.
4. Chronological order: The paragraph may present us with a series of events following a definite and linear timeline. The correct answer option may extend it further. Be wary of the answer options that are far removed from the timeline in the para.
5. A problem-solution approach: The para offers us a problem or a problematic situation, and the correct answer option may be a solution to the given problem. The solution may be either of the two types: A – what can be done, and B – what could have been done.
6. Theory-Illustration: The paragraph contains a theory or more likely a theoretical discussion, and the correct answer option offers an example to explain it. Remember, the wrong answers may contain examples that disprove the theory, instead of accomplishing the opposite.
7. Reinforcement of an argument: Another extremely common para structure. The para contains the argument, and the correct answer option the appropriate substantiation of it. Do remember that wrong answer may inadequately support the argument.

 

Rule 3 for cracking Para Completion Questions:

“How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” – From The Sign of Four

Elimination can often be as effective a strategy as selection. The following kind of answer options are usually the wrong ones.

1. Irrelevant: Such answer options are the conclusions which are either entirely unrelated to or only vaguely related to the para. If they are the latter, they do not present us with any reason why they should be the concluding lines.
2. Repetition: A theme cannot be extended by repeating either directly or indirectly what has been stated earlier. Do not forget the “completion” part. It only makes sense if the information in the last line is a value addition to the para that precedes it.
3. Contradiction: The last line cannot disprove what the para has tried to prove.
4. Too broad: This is the kind of answer option that magnifies the scope of the argument beyond reasonable. For example, the para may only be about who will be the next governor of Texas, and the (incorrect) answer option concludes by suddenly raising the topic of the next US president.
5. Too narrow – Here the incorrect answer option focuses pointlessly on a very minor aspect of the para, and therefore fails to complete the grander theme of the passage.
6. Inconsistent tone – Be wary of the options that are clearly out of sync with the tone of the passage. The most common type of this is a para that is formal in tone and the proposed conclusion that is extremely informal.
7. New themes – Perhaps the most deceptive of all. Such new themes are always related to the ongoing discussion in the para, but they cannot be immediately introduced. The writer may talk about them in the next para, or the one after that, but not in the given para. Ask yourself: Is this option likely to end this para, or is it more likely to start the next para? If it is the latter, you are looking at a wrong answer.

Rule 4 for cracking Para Completion Questions:

Solving Para Completion questions requires a combination of observation, deduction, empathy, and most importantly instinct. A Para Completion question of even moderate difficulty requires us to take a bit of risk. Do not hesitate to take your chances, for the only way to learn what to do is to first learn what not to.

“Any truth is better than indefinite doubt” – from The Yellow Face

Thats all from me. Untill next time.

Vikas Joshi.

READ THAT TWICE

Is Life Blurred ?

One of the things I really like about camera is the manual focus feature. You know, when you slowly rotate your camera lenses until your image is perfectly clear. You go from a blurred, foggy image, slowly turn your fingers around the lenses, and voila: you have a brand new, crystal clear image, ready to be captured by a single, gentle touch of your finger.

You’ll be surprised to learn that everybody have this feature, this manual focus. Only it’s not about photos. It’s about your life, and the way you live it. Most of the time you live a blurred life. Everything around you is unclear. You just have enough information to know a little bit about your surroundings, but you are moving in a foggy world.

By the way, living in a blurred world is frustrating. Not knowing who you’re really talking to, not knowing where you are really heading, not knowing if the person in front of you is smiling or frowning, that’s really bad. But this is how it is and it’s pretty much everybody’s story. I’ve been there, you’ve been there, and even now, the vast majority of people is there, moving around with a blurred image of their lives.

And they have this foggy image because they don’t use the manual focus feature. Their life camera is not calibrated. In other words, they’re not using their full potential. They’re looking at a blurred scenery, truly believing that this is all what they are getting from this life. A blurred job, a blurred relationship, a blurred income. A life blurred completely. They don’t have the courage to touch the lenses and really see what’s going on around them.

Whenever you clear your lenses, something magical happens. You start to see things the way they really are. Some people call this “having an aha” moment. Some people call this an epiphany and even other people call this “seeing God”. If you ask me, they’re all right. With the mention that everything was there before, only blurred. Your real life mission was always there, only you couldn’t see it because of the fog. Your perfect partner was there all the time, only she was just invisible, melted in a sea of dissipated contours. Everything was there before, but you couldn’t see it, because you were not properly focused.

Now, what could you do in order to start improve your life lenses?

Make Sure It Still Works

Yes, the most common problem is a broken camera objective. It doesn’t work anymore. It’s stuck. Only you think it’s still working at full capacity.

The best way to verify your camera integrity is to try moving it a little bit forward and backward. That translates in what people usually call “pushing your luck”.

For instance, if you are in a job you don’t like, try upsetting your boss. Or be late a couple a days. Is this really making a difference? Or everything is basically the same, no difference?

On the other hand, if you do like the job but you’re unsure if it really fits you, do allocate some extra time. Work extra hours. Is this really making a difference? How do you feel? There is any change at all in your life?

This type of small steps helps you verify if the camera is actually working. If it’s not, you’ll experience the same type of sensation you have in a dream, when whatever you do has no consequences. If there is any reaction at all from your environment, you’re lucky: you have a working camera. If not, you’re stuck. Your camera objective is broken, you live a blurred life and you didn’t even know. You need to take immediate measures to fix your camera.

Usually, this means buying a new one. Which, of course, translates in starting a completely new life.

Make Sure Your Lenses Are Clean

Sometimes, wherever you point your camera, you get the same result. The reality has the same shape. No matter what you try to shoot, you get the exact same picture. That means your lenses are dirty. There is clogged dirt on the lenses which is preventing you to see the world as it really is.

The most common dirt your lenses can accumulate in time is called prejudice. Or pre-made judgement. If you already make your judgement in regard to whatever crosses your mind, your camera will obey and show you exactly what you think you know. It will show the dirt you have on the lenses, not the reality.

Assessing this can be difficult. You trust your camera so much that you don’t even bother to check it out from time to time. Things are changing, reality is changing. Some judgement that was ok when you were a kid is not working anymore now. And this is something natural. You lived for so long that your camera accumulated a lot of dirt. Clean it up.

And the only way to give a professional cleaning to your life lenses is to go out and experience more. You can’t tell if your lenses are clogged with dirt if you don’t check them out. Verify them against what you thought you know. Experiment. Learn.

Make Sure You Shoot The Right Subject

Maybe you’re trying to get that common picture everybody wants? Like shooting the same old Eiffel Tour you get on every postcard in the world? No wonder you think life it’s boring. Because if you’re doing what everybody else does (or tells you to do), your life will be boring. If you’re choosing common subjects for your life, you will get common pictures.

Point your camera to new topics, try new angles, see if what you get is interesting. Maybe your life picture got blurred because its main subject is so common that you can’t find anything original in it? No courage? No thrills? No innovation? No risk? Well, enough with that! Forget what they told you about how to use a camera and invent your own way. Nobody guarantees that you will shoot the picture of a lifetime, but at least you didn’t get bored.

It’s About You, Not About Them

If you’ve carefully doing everything above, I’m sure you’ll start getting a new picture pretty soon. You may not know if it’s a good or a bad one, but it’s a new one. You’ll learn something from it.

And maybe the most important lesson to be learned is that your life picture is entirely up to you. You are the one who holds the camera. You can adjust the objective the way you want. The lenses are obeying you. You chose the subject, you adjust the clarity and the beauty of your life.

So, think again: is your life blurred right now?