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🚖 Uber CEO Takes the Driver’s Seat

Plus: Getting Outdoors, Practo makes cuts but plans to grow.

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Chai Sip
April 09, 2023

ISSUE #046

☕ Good Morning! Sippers,

In an effort to better understand the experiences of Uber drivers during the pandemic, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi took on a unique challenge: becoming an Uber driver himself.

Spending months ferrying passengers around the hills of San Francisco, Khosrowshahi’s experience as an undercover driver forced him to “reexamine every single assumption” the company had made.

In today’s Issue 📥 :

  • Uber CEO Takes the Driver’s Seat.

  • Getting Outdoors.

  • Practo makes cuts but plans to grow.

SIP WORTHY

Uber CEO Takes the Driver’s Seat to Get the Business Moving in a New Direction

Code-named Project Boomerang, Khosrowshahi’s campaign to better understand the needs of Uber drivers has resulted in some of the biggest changes to the ride-hailing app since its inception in 2009. Facing pressure from investors to increase profits, Khosrowshahi used his experiences to implement difficult changes that drivers had asked for.

📈 Success for Uber:

The changes have paid off for Uber, with ride-share revenue more than doubling in 2022 and the company posting its first full-year adjusted profit. Uber now commands 74% of the U.S. ride-share market, up from 62% in early 2020.

👨‍✈️ The Clunky Experience:

While Khosrowshahi’s experience as an Uber driver was at times difficult and clunky, he remains committed to making changes that benefit both drivers and passengers. As he says, “there is still a long way to go” – but with his unique perspective, Khosrowshahi is well-equipped to make those changes.

IMPROVEMENT SIP

Tech Billionaire Tim Cook’s Secret to Success: Getting Outdoors

Apple CEO Tim Cook has revealed that getting out into nature is his go-to method for clearing his head and resetting mentally. Despite running one of the world’s largest tech companies, Cook believes that there is nothing better for easing tensions than spending time outdoors. Cook, who has an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion, has spent the past 20 years in Silicon Valley, but it was his time in North Carolina and Colorado that prompted his love for the great outdoors.

“The outdoors were always accessible there, other than some infrequent snowstorm or something,” Cook said. “I always think about hiking and the things that really settle my mind when I’m here [at work].” Cook added that getting outside the Bay Area’s tech bubble helps: “You can hike so many different places [in California]. It’s almost a sin not to go out and enjoy it.”

Cook is not alone in his love for the outdoors. A 2020 paper in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows that doctors are increasingly prescribing nature walks to help patients with symptoms ranging from anxiety and depression to stress and obesity. Furthermore, a 2019 study published in Scientific Reports found that spending at least 120 minutes in natural environments like parks, woodlands, and beaches is associated with positive well-being, especially for people who live in urban areas.

The study observed 20,000 people who tracked their outdoor activities for seven days, and its data showed that good health and well-being peaked after spending 200-300 minutes outside. Cook is not the only billionaire who prioritizes outdoor time. Oprah Winfrey has a daily hiking ritual and is known as an avid gardener. Mark Zuckerberg wrote in 2020 that he sometimes hunts in his free time, and Tyler Perry flies radio-controlled planes as a hobby.

Experts say that it is simple to be more intentional about spending time in nature. Jared Hawkins, a therapist and assistant professor at Utah State University, recommends taking a walk or eating a meal outside, even if you only have a few minutes. “Bringing your attention to the view of trees, the sound of birds, or the feel of wind can help you be mindful and decrease stress,” Hawkins said. He also recommends taking up hobbies like hiking, fishing, or star-gazing, in addition to gardening and having picnics at nature sites.

In conclusion, it is clear that spending time in nature has significant benefits for both physical and mental health. Even just a few minutes outside can help ease stress and increase well-being. The examples set by Cook, Winfrey, Zuckerberg, Perry, and many others demonstrate the value of prioritizing outdoor time, no matter how busy or stressful life may seem.

HOT SIP

Practo makes cuts but plans to grow: lays off 41 employees, but aims to add 500 more

What’s sipping? ☕ Practo, the Indian health tech startup, has laid off 41 employees in its latest round of layoffs due to performance issues. The majority of those affected were in the engineering department, including product managers and software engineers.

📉 Not a Financial Issue: Practo has confirmed that the layoffs were not related to the company’s financial performance. In fact, the company claimed that its revenue, margins, and profits are at an all-time high.

💪 Strong Commitment to Employees: The company emphasized its commitment to its employees, saying that they will receive the requisite support. Furthermore, Practo plans to add 500 more employees to its workforce in the next 12 months.

🏥 Building Healthcare for a Billion+ Indians: Practo remains focused on strengthening its businesses and its mission of building healthcare for a billion+ Indians. In the past year, the company has hired over 500 talented individuals and plans to add another 500 Practeons to its team in the next 12 months.

QUICK SIPS

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Google CEO Sundar Pichai drops big hint on AI, search engine.

You’re likely paying more if buying from ads online.

With CHAI ☕

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TWEET