{"id":2982,"date":"2015-12-08T15:12:47","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T20:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/skydrop-the-uber-of-instant-deliveries-in-latam\/"},"modified":"2015-12-14T19:08:45","modified_gmt":"2015-12-15T00:08:45","slug":"skydrop-the-uber-of-instant-deliveries-in-latam","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/skydrop-the-uber-of-instant-deliveries-in-latam\/","title":{"rendered":"Skydrop\u2014the \u201cUber\u201d of instant deliveries in LatAm"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Skydrop<\/a><\/p>\n

Skydrop (www.skydrop.co<\/a>) is a marketplace that connects local, independent delivery agents with small businesses that need pickup or delivery services. In essence, Skydrop is the \u201cUber\u201d for instant courier services. The company was founded a little over a year ago and operates from Monterrey, Mexico. It is currently focusing its marketing efforts to attract restaurant businesses that want to replace, grow or launch delivery services.<\/p>\n

\"Skydrop<\/a><\/p>\n

Business Model<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the one hand, Skydrop creates value for business owners (i.e. restaurants) by simplifying their operations. The company eliminates the need for businesses to purchase and provide maintenance to motorcycles, as well to hire delivery agents and pay for their insurance. On the other hand, Skydrop creates value for delivery agents by drastically increasing their utilization (defined by a deliveries-per-day metric). In doing so, delivery agents earn on average 50% more than what they would otherwise earn.<\/p>\n

Skydrop charges a fixed fee for every delivery they arrange. Deliveries are subject to territorial boundaries. The fee amount depends on two factors: expected volume of deliveries and required speed. On average, the company has charged US$2 in the last 12 months.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Operating Model<\/strong><\/p>\n

Skydrop does not own motorcycles (or any transport vehicle). Rather, delivery agents use their own and are responsible for their maintenance and insurance. \u00a0To recruit agents, the company posts ads in local newspaper listings. As prospects contact Skydrop, the recruitment team runs basic background checks on those interested and evaluates the transport vehicle to be used. As a prerequisite, delivery agents must own a smartphone that operates on either Android or iOS.<\/p>\n

On the agent\u2019s smartphone, Skydrop installs an application that integrates into their internal software. This software is designed to visually map demand (point A and point B of a delivery order) with supply (delivery agents). It is operated by a Skydrop executive whose main purpose is to maximize efficiency by minimizing time per order. Although somewhat uncommon, the software allows pooling of orders, matching deliveries that are headed towards a similar direction. When agents are not delivering an item, Skydrops suggests optimal parking spots according to past demand patterns. Delivery agents are paid a fixed fee for every delivery they complete.<\/p>\n

Currently, Skydrop\u2019s main customer acquisition channel is its outgoing internal call center that focuses on selling the service to restaurant businesses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why Skydrop is a Winner<\/strong><\/p>\n

Customers want a fast delivery at a low price. Skydrop\u2019s whole operation is designed to maximize utilization of delivery agents, which accomplishes both customer demands. Skydrop incentivizes delivery agents to maximize orders per hour by paying them a fixed fee for delivery (tipping amplifies such effect). The company also relies on a roubust IT platform to facilitate logistics and manages delivery angents’ schedule to best match demand with supply.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the pricing model incentivizes increased volume and smoother demand. Since increased volume translates into more agents on the road, Skydrop becomes increasingly better positioned to absorb unexpected demand peaks that would otherwise deteriorate\u00a0its value proposition of speed.<\/p>\n

\"Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sources: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Company visit and interview with Tavo Zambrano, Founder and CEO (May 2015).<\/p>\n

Company teaser (December 2015).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A marketplace that connects local, independent delivery agents with small businesses that need pickup or delivery services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1259,"featured_media":3213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[460,13,21,341,515,210,94,212],"class_list":["post-2982","hck-submission","type-hck-submission","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entrepreneurship","category-latin-america","category-logistics","category-mexico","category-pooled-logistics","category-start-up","category-startup","category-tech"],"connected_submission_link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/assignment\/the-tom-challenge-tom-winners-and-losers-assignment\/","yoast_head":"\nSkydrop\u2014the \u201cUber\u201d of instant deliveries in LatAm - Technology and Operations Management<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/skydrop-the-uber-of-instant-deliveries-in-latam\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Skydrop\u2014the \u201cUber\u201d of instant deliveries in LatAm - 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