Uber China Mafia with Chenyu Zheng

Leong Chung Wei Bernard -

Chenyu Zheng, former product marketing manager from Uber and now author, joined us in a two part conversation to discuss the unique digital experience in China and the Uber China mafia and their impact to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in China after merger with Didi. In the second part, we discussed the impact of Uber in China, after its merger with Didi, and how it has created a generation of entrepreneurial talent that are shaking the transportation landscape with Ofo and Mobike.

Here are the interesting show notes and links to the discussion (with time-stamps included):

  • Chenyu Zheng (@cheyuz , LinkedIn, Wechat official account: 苹果姐姐), former product marketing manager of Uber and freelance writer.
  • Uber China Mafia
    • Can you talk about your role and coverage when you were in Uber and how you interface with Uber China? [1:15]
    • What are the most important traits for the people who Uber hired in China? [2:15]
    • How do you define what success means in China for a Silicon Valley company? [4:16]
    • Did Uber fail in China? [5:27]
    • Who are the key people in Uber China mafia that are now involved in the bicycle sharing space? [9:40]
    • Why is Didi unable to keep the talent from Uber China? [11:00]
    • What are the lessons you think that entrepreneurial talent can draw from Uber China? [12:40]
  • Closing:
    • Can you recommend a book, podcast, movie or anything that has impact your personal or work life recently? [17:50]
      • Chenyu’s recommends: Chip Conley’s “Emotional Equations”
    • How do my audience find you? [18:39]

Podcast Information:

The show is hosted by Bernard Leong (@bernardleong & weibo) and are sponsored by Ideal Workspace (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) with their new Altizen Desk on Indiegogo (Twitter, Facebook, Medium). Also check out Ideal Workspace’s new standing desk, Altizen and sign up for their mailing list. Sound credits for the intro music: Taro Iwashiro, “The Beginning” from Red Cliff Soundtrack.