A friend once commented on a specific country, that it was the best place to go if you wanted to see a smile while being told to go jump in a lake. “They are very good at telling you to F*#k-off politely”
I have similar feelings about the “spirit of collaboration” in California. I contend that the openness is a false trust factor.
I am not saying I am not interested in open solutions, I am saying that some business ideas are corrupted by the bright shiny object syndrome.
While I am impressed with all the activity, sometimes it feels like some stronger discipline is needed. A good example is ride sharing and the offshoots. Does Apple really have any business going into the Auto industry? If so, what is their competitive advantage? Are they going to be able to charge a premium for a mid market car? Go on the high end? The auto industry was very sick just about a decade ago. Consolidation occurred for brands and companies. Does this look like a ripe market?
Yes, Tesla has brought game changing technology to market, but it’s still not clear if they are not going to be an enabler for others more than a competitor.
Uber and others have indicated they are going to use autonomous vehicles to ride share. Does a driver less car change the cost factors to the point where the BOM is significantly impacted? And does the lack of a steering wheel have other human factors that impact comfort and buying decisions.
The fact that Google left the board of Uber indicates the issue I have. Google wants to be in the ride sharing business in San Fransisco. Google waited until it was ready before resigning from the board. I am not sure that follows the “do no evil’ goal, but even so, I still have to ask why? The fact that Uber has taken a real debt with bonds and merged it’s china operation suggest that things are tougher. Does the use of Google for maps equate to a google cab?
I would love to see the rotary guidance applied to opportunity.
Does it have to be built?
Does it have to be built now?
And does it have to be built by us?
I think a lot of projects would be abandoned once these questions asked.