Masters of Scale Rapid Response: Lyft’s John Zimmer: How to keep an essential business running
Apr 16, 2020
John Zimmer, co-founder and president of Lyft, discusses how transportation is vital, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. He reveals Lyft's pivot to launching a delivery service to support essential workers and the supply chain. Zimmer highlights the company's commitment to safety by investing in protective equipment and offering free rides to those in need. He emphasizes the importance of calm leadership during challenges and shares initiatives aimed at bridging transportation gaps for low-income communities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
First COVID-19 Encounter
- Lyft's first direct encounter with COVID-19 was in early March when a team member reported potential exposure.
- This triggered a shift to encouraging work-from-home and the formation of a COVID-19 task force.
Ridesharing as Essential
- Transportation is essential for accessing necessities like food and medicine.
- Ridesharing became more critical during the pandemic, especially for essential workers and those avoiding public transport.
Building Confidence in Safety
- Prioritize safety by following CDC guidelines and providing protective equipment.
- Lyft spent over $1 million on protective equipment and distributed 200,000 bottles of sanitizer to drivers.