The news that Twitter has continued to cut its staff in order to reduce its costs has raised questions not just about the social media site’s future but its immediate impact as well. With CEO Elon Musk taking over the company in October last year, Twitter’s staff count has dropped by 70%, and the most recent cut of 50 roles includes the high-ranking Esther Crawford, head of Twitter Payments. So, what does this mean for Twitter, and what can we expect from it in the future?
First, it's worth considering why cuts and cost reductions are necessary. In its Q2 report from prior to Musk's takeover, Twitter reported a $950m staff cost, a substantial amount for a single quarter. Since then, more due diligence has been done. With ad revenue reportedly declining, budget-saving initiatives such as staff cuts are essential for Twitter to keep operating and plan for a more financially viable future.
The question remains: how much can Twitter take? Every cut they make sets off alarms that the platform may be reaching its breaking point, with there being only so many superfluous staff before Twitter's operations suffer. But that hasn't happened yet - sure, there have been a few hiccups, but overall, Twitter is running, and given the success of Musk's cost-reduction efforts, it's evident that the platform isn’t going just to shut down.
So, what's the take-home lesson? As of now, it's that Twitter still has a long way to go. Even with their staff cuts and budget-management initiatives, Twitter will still need to find ways to make money - especially with its "Twitter Blue" subscription service reportedly not seeing great engagement. It's only when the site can start to generate consistent, reliable revenue that it will truly be on track.
In conclusion, regarding Twitter’s staff cuts, it’s clear that there are benefits and drawbacks. While cost reduction can be seen as a positive, there is no denying that it risks impacting the user experience and the platform's capabilities. It will be interesting to see how Twitter's story unfolds and if the staff reductions can help the platform reach its full potential.
