Uberfication: How The Local On-Demand Economy (LODE) Is Taking Shape, Pt 1

There is growing conversation about the local on-demand economy or what some are calling the “Uberfication” of our local and mobile services.

This trend is not something unforeseen. The concept of localization, decentralized organizations and businesses, and greater personalization in the marketplace is something Alvin Toffer wrote about decades ago when he revealed his concept for a third wave, post-industrial society.

Toffer’s world is indeed taking shape. Technology is the driving force. It is shaping consumer habits, culture, language, personal interactions and likewise allowing for the emergence of new service providers that better match consumer interests and tendencies.

As Michael Boland, Chief Analyst and Vice President of Content at BIA/Kelsey, as well as the co-chair of the BIA/Kelsey NOW conference, wrote recently in What’s Driving The Local On-Demand Economy, as consumers, “we’re being conditioned to expect everything on demand as the mobile device increasingly becomes the ‘remote control for the physical world.’ For service providers like Uber drivers, LODE flexibility and lowered barriers resonate, and also change the societal view of ‘work.'”

This reality resonates strongly with millennials, and is forcing other generations to adapt. The impact of our technological advances means a greater diversity in consumer buying habits, but also signals the arrival of the new normal of the on-demand marketplace.

Today (May 8th) at 2:30 PM Eastern / 11:30 AM Pacific, Michael Boland and Mitch Ratcliffe are going to hold a free roundtable discussion via a Webinar. This is in advance of the NOW Conference, which is taking place next month.

During this event, Michael and Mitch are going to talk about consumer use of mobile for things such as ride sharing and hospitality to house cleaning, odd jobs and roadside assistance. What’s more, they will discuss companies like Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Homejoy, TaskRabbit, Urgent.ly and others who are delivering local services “now” to consumers through mobile.

Click here to register for the roundtable / Webinar event.

Click here to check out BIA/Kelsey’s upcoming NOW conference.

And check back to this space as I write more about the local on-demand economy (LODE) and how mobile technology is driving new consumer habits.