Uber used a few innovative strategies to kickstart demand in new cities. Firstly, they would send an Uber City Launcher from their headquarters to the new city. This person would then flood local online platforms, such as Craigslist, with ads offering incentives to potential drivers, such as hundreds of dollars in bonuses. They would also offer free rides to customers to stimulate demand. This strategy was expensive, but it helped to rapidly grow their user base. Once demand was established, Uber would hire a local City Manager to oversee operations. Additionally, Uber was known for its aggressive approach to regulation, often choosing to operate in spite of local laws or regulations, which also contributed to their rapid expansion.
Learn how Uber's growth was fuelled by obsessive product focus, broken rules, growth at all costs an...
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