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Twitter announces layoffs

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Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#161

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not great, but it's certainly better than something like "We've decided to move forward with a new strategic initiative that will involve a synergistic restructuring of our organizations and in that process it's possible that some people may find themselves seeking opportunities"...

Where I work, they called it a "workforce rebalancing," which I thought was a nice touch.

Or "plan social" in french.

Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#162

> Emails like this are usually riddled with corporate speak so I'm going to give it to you straight. I tried rewriting his email to live up to this promise: - - - Team, We're cutting our workforce to strengthen Twitter as a company. The team has been deciding how to best streamline Twitter, Vine, and Periscope to put their focus on the projects which will have the greatest impact. Moments, which we launched last week…

It could have been a lot worse. People on here seem to confuse being polite with corporate speak. Yes, he could have summed it up in a single sentence: "I'm firing 336 people." It would also have been a hell of a lot more rude.

Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#163

> Emails like this are usually riddled with corporate speak so I'm going to give it to you straight. I tried rewriting his email to live up to this promise: - - - Team, We're cutting our workforce to strengthen Twitter as a company. The team has been deciding how to best streamline Twitter, Vine, and Periscope to put their focus on the projects which will have the greatest impact. Moments, which we launched last week…

Team, We're cutting 336 people from our workforce to strengthen the company. We are deciding how to streamline Twitter, Vine, and Periscope to focus on projects with the greatest impact. Moments, which we launched last week, is a great beginning. It's a peek into the future of discovery. We'll offer each person a generous exit package and help finding a new job. Engineering will be smaller but remain the biggest perc…

That one's a proper improvement.

Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#164
post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Am I the only one who doesn't see much difference between your version and his?

It's removed all the fairly meaningless corporate buzzwords like: roadmap structural change nimbler streamlined impactful And many more.

While they may be jargon, they're not meaningless. I mean, roadmap? Is there anyone who has worked at a tech company that doesn't know what a roadmap is, and why it's important? Is there anyone who doesn't know that nimbler means better able to react to changes in the marketplace?

Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#165
post #139

"we plan to part ways with up to 336 people from across the company. We are doing this with the utmost respect for each and every person." Bart might disagree: https://twitter.com/bartt/status/653946266938818561

Did you read his followup email? He said they called but he did not pick up.

Whenever you have a large layoff, it is fairly standard to lock accounts immediately.

Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's nearly 10% of their work force.

I'll admit that I have no basis for this number, but I would expect them to layoff 20 - 25%. 10% is a high number, but not for a company that has never made a profit and is currently hemorrhaging money.

This could just be round 1.

Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#167
post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Am I the only one who doesn't see much difference between your version and his?

It's removed all the fairly meaningless corporate buzzwords like: roadmap structural change nimbler streamlined impactful And many more.

If those offend, you should try reading any financial research articles that delve into details or PR wire announcements. ;)

Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#168
post #139

"we plan to part ways with up to 336 people from across the company. We are doing this with the utmost respect for each and every person." Bart might disagree: https://twitter.com/bartt/status/653946266938818561

That seems a little unfair to Twitter - he's a remote worker, so they couldn't have the Bobs meet with him in a conference room. He does report "a side effect of WFH. HR can't wait for you to come in. Granted they also called but that went to voice mail."

Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's removed all the fairly meaningless corporate buzzwords like: roadmap structural change nimbler streamlined impactful And many more.

While they may be jargon, they're not meaningless. I mean, roadmap? Is there anyone who has worked at a tech company that doesn't know what a roadmap is, and why it's important? Is there anyone who doesn't know that nimbler means better able to react to changes in the marketplace?

They're jargon as well as buzzwords. They mean things, but they're unnecessary.

"Roadmap" -> plan, strategy

"Structural change" -> internal reorganizing, lay-offs

"Nimbler" -> fewer employees, which we hope will make us become more agile

"Streamlined" -> ambiguous and essentially meaningless by itself

"Impactful" -> revenue- and/or growth-generating, maybe "important"

Re: Twitter announces layoffs

#170
post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's removed all the fairly meaningless corporate buzzwords like: roadmap structural change nimbler streamlined impactful And many more.

If those offend, you should try reading any financial research articles that delve into details or PR wire announcements. ;)

That is of course assuming that you like being offended.
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