HIGH INCOME SKILLS For Students to Learn in 2024 | Ishan Sharma

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Bavik Mehta, former Uber executive and founder of DIY, shares his journey and lessons learned in launching Uber in India. He delves into the challenges of market entry, the importance of deep problem understanding, and the skills needed for success in tech. Bavik also discusses his vision for transforming engineering education through Scalar School of Technology, emphasizing practical learning and industry relevance.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The importance of learning relevant skills for the tech industry is emphasized, as traditional education often lacks practical, industry-relevant subjects like data science and software development.
• 🌐 Bavik, having worked at Uber, shares his experience of launching Uber in India, highlighting the challenges of introducing a new concept like on-demand, cashless rides through an app in a market dominated by traditional taxi services.
• 💡 The significance of problem-solving skills is underlined, as Bavik explains how understanding and breaking down a problem statement is crucial for success in the tech industry.
• 🛠️ The necessity for a strong foundation in data analytics and algorithms is highlighted, as these are key skills in building and improving tech products.
• 🏫 Bavik discusses the gap in the Indian education system, where outdated curricula do not align with the skills required by modern tech companies, leading to a low employability rate among graduates.
• 🌟 He shares his vision for Scala School of Technology, aiming to reshape engineering education by focusing on practical learning and industry-relevant skills.
• 💼 The interviewee's entrepreneurial journey with his startup DIY is discussed, showcasing the skills required to build a product from scratch and the importance of understanding consumer behavior.
• 🎓 Insights into the curriculum at Scala School of Technology are provided, including the focus on web development, data science, and real-world projects from the first year of study.
• 🏆 The achievements of Scala School of Technology's students in their first year, such as winning hackathons and securing internships at top tech companies, demonstrate the effectiveness of the school's practical approach to education.
• 💰 The discussion touches on the financial aspects of education at Scala School of Technology, including the total tuition fee and the availability of scholarships and financial assistance for deserving students.
• 🌍 Finally, Bavik's perspective on India's potential to become a global tech powerhouse is shared, with an emphasis on nurturing talent and the importance of skills over traditional degrees.

Q & A

What was the initial challenge faced by Uber when it launched in India?

The initial challenge was to change the consumer behavior that was accustomed to traditional pre-booking and cash payments for taxis. Uber introduced an on-demand, cashless, app-based service, which was a significant shift for the Indian market at that time.

How did Uber India approach the problem of having no marketing budget?

Uber India started with a unique marketing strategy by launching Uber Black first, which used luxury cars like Mercedes, Jaguars, and BMWs. This created a buzz in the city without spending any money on marketing, as people started talking about the new luxury ride option.

What was the significance of launching Uber Black first in India?

Launching Uber Black first was a strategic move to create awareness and generate excitement about the Uber brand. Although it was not sustainable due to the limited number of luxury cars available, it served its purpose in capturing the public's attention.

How did Uber tackle the issue of consumer preferences and the newness of the app-based taxi service?

Uber conducted consumer studies to understand the use cases where their service could be most appealing. They identified Friday and Saturday nights, post-bars, as a prime time when people struggled to get taxis, and offered free rides to people leaving bars to try the Uber app.

What was the role of data analytics at Uber?

Data analytics played a crucial role at Uber, as it was used to drive decisions related to operations, pricing strategies, and understanding consumer behavior. It helped in optimizing the supply-demand balance and in making real-time decisions for dispatch and dynamic pricing.

How did Uber India adapt its product for the local market?

Uber India adapted its product by introducing an Uber light app for the local market, which had a lower bandwidth requirement due to the prevalent 3G network and a higher number of Android phones. They also introduced cash payments, as the credit card penetration in India was only around 2%.

What skill sets did Bavik Brar identify as crucial for success in the tech industry?

Bavik identified deep understanding of problem statements, strong data analytics skills, and understanding of algorithms as crucial skill sets. He emphasized the importance of practical learning and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

What is the mission of Scala School of Technology?

Scala School of Technology aims to reshape engineering education in India by focusing on practical learning, industry-relevant curriculum, and nurturing skills over just academic degrees. The mission is to produce employable engineers who can contribute significantly to the tech industry.

How does Scala School of Technology ensure students are industry-ready?

Scala School of Technology ensures students are industry-ready by providing a curriculum deeply rooted in practical learning, offering company-sourced projects, organizing hackathons and coding competitions, and offering mentorship from industry leaders.

What was Bavik Brar's experience like when he transitioned from Uber to building his own startup, DIY?

Bavik found the transition to be an eye-opening experience. At DIY, he had to make engineering decisions himself, including choosing the tech stack, designing the product, and understanding consumer behavior. This hands-on approach gave him a comprehensive understanding of building and scaling a product.

Why did Uber Eats not continue in India?

Uber Eats' discontinuation in India was due to the timing and global outlook post-IPO. The pressure to offload businesses that required significant investments led to a partnership with Zomato, which eventually acquired Uber Eats India, rather than investing further in a market with strong local competitors.

What is the vision for India's growth to a $10 trillion economy?

The vision for India's growth to a $10 trillion economy hinges on nurturing talent across all segments, with a focus on skills over degrees. The aim is to produce a large number of high-quality engineers and professionals who can drive technological advancements and business growth.