It's more than just sharing
The "sharing" economy is about tapping into the excess capacity, spare car seat, free loft space, free time - creating ways to increase efficiency on the use of tools, skills and assets that people, businesses and communities have and to enhance local trade and support people and small businesses.
Uber creates a way for taxis to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing the amount of miles that need to be covered and have a lot of flexibility in their lives.
AirBnB allows you to attract visitors and therefore economic activity to your area and let someone else pay apart of your rent when you may have otherwise struggled.
Google takes a margin of all businesses that advertise with them, where as the sharing economy companies only make a revenue if they match a seller with a buyer, not just for a click or a view. Its cost per acquisition marketing.
The industry is still very much in its infancy but will become a force for good. Better management of resources across the board, this is not just about peer-to-peer its the economy - a collaborative approach to consumption will benefit us all. Its about understanding what we have and what we need.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
