Roundtable discussion at the US Ambassador’s residence

It is not a zero-sum game. The new services are part of an ecosystem that is not necessarily a threat to existing competition, but a fundamental change in behaviors. For example, Uber affects personal car ownership rather than Black Cabs; Airbnb means that families will travel more, because homes better fit their needs.

It is generating a positive economic impact for society. With its roots in the economic crisis, it is decentralising income generation by creating a way to supplement income (renting a room or a home when people are away), providing income security, options of how to make money in new ways even when you are out of a job, and creating aspirational opportunities for people to plan extra holidays, improve their homes or have money to spend on activities for their children.

It’s important as an industry to tell all the positive stories as traditional industries who feel under threat will always look to highlight what can go wrong with change. Imagine a hundred years ago, the creation of railroad interchanges to allow the trains to switch tracks was an ‘outrage’ that would threaten the lives of women and children. The posters were made by the companies that thrived off of the interchange points.

Change agents will persevere and the sharing economy will potentially be looked at in the future as another transformational shift in history. At UnderTheDoormat we are excited to be a part of enabling that change and to supporting the discussion on how to have a positive impact on society through its growth. [/threecol_two]

Roundtable discussion led by:

• Matthew Barzun, an internet pioneer and the American Ambassador of London hosted an intimate gathering on the Sharing Economy.
• Tom Wheeler, chairman of the FCC.
• David Plouffe, advisor to former US President Barack Obama and Uber Board member.