Bird’s Comeback Story: Inside the Turnaround with Co-CEO Michael Washinushi
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Show Notes
What happens when one of the biggest names in micromobility files for bankruptcy? In this exclusive interview, Bird Co-CEO Michael Washinushi joins host Prabin Joel Jones to break down the company’s dramatic turnaround. From Chapter 11 restructuring to a bold shift in strategy, discover how Bird is rebuilding its position as a leader in sustainable urban transportation.
Learn how Michael transitioned from CFO to CEO during a crisis, retained critical city permits, cut operational costs, and set Bird on a new path toward growth. Whether you're in mobility, startups, or urban tech, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, financial strategy, and navigating tough times.
👉 Topics covered:
Bird’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and recovery strategy
Leadership transition: CFO to CEO
Micromobility business models and revenue optimization
Cultural overhaul and operational efficiency
Third-party vehicles and hardware strategy
The future of shared electric scooters and urban mobility
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00:00 The Birth of Bird: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility
01:40 Michael's Journey: From CFO to CEO
05:13 Navigating Challenges: The Turnaround Strategy
08:34 Cultural Overhaul: Post-Bankruptcy Bird
11:58 Motivating the Team: Retention and Transparency
15:29 Revenue Resilience: Strategies During Bankruptcy
18:49 Tough Decisions: Streamlining Operations
22:31 Building Brand Loyalty in Micro Mobility
25:50 Metrics that Matter: Revenue and Customer Retention
29:43 Understanding User Price Sensitivity
32:18 Post-Bankruptcy Metrics and Surprises
34:56 Strategies for Reducing G&A Costs
39:24 Hardware Strategy and Market Positioning
44:21 Geographical Expansion and Market Focus
48:43 Future of Shared Micro Mobility