Twitter 1.0 had too many people applying brakes and not working, says Elon

May 24, 2023 12:31 By X

~2 min read

Last Updated: Oct 12, 2023 19:07

Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, recently shared his insightful perspective on the issue of overstaffing at pre-acquisition Twitter. In his characteristic candid manner, Musk highlighted that he saw numerous individuals at Twitter 1.0 who were engaged in activities that he believed did not contribute substantially to the company's growth. However, he went on to mention that this may be a common occurrence in many Silicon Valley companies, albeit to a lesser extent than in the case of Twitter's earlier iteration.

Musk's evaluation of employee value resonates with his dedication to fostering progress. Drawing a vivid analogy, he described the scenario at Twitter 1.0 as a meeting with a roomful of participants, where only a single individual would bring an accelerator, while the remaining nine would bring sets of brakes. Such an imbalance, Musk suggested, hindered the company's ability to realize its true potential.

But there is cause for optimism. Under Musk's leadership, Twitter is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with a renewed focus on innovation and risk-taking. Musk proudly declared that Twitter is now *gung-ho* about introducing new features, even if they pose a minor risk to site stability. In fact, he enthusiastically stated that Twitter has introduced more functionality in the past six months than it did in the entire six years prior. This vibrant shift in approach reflects the company's commitment to embracing change and pushing the boundaries of what Twitter can offer its users.

When asked about his thoughts on acquiring Twitter, Musk expressed his belief that the company is on an upward trajectory. Following the acquisition in late 2022, Musk implemented necessary adjustments, resulting in an 80% reduction in staff over the subsequent months. Currently, Twitter employs around 1,500 talented individuals, a considerable decrease from the peak of 8,000 during the Twitter 2.0 era. These changes, although challenging, have positioned Twitter for a comeback, with a leaner and more agile team focused on driving the platform's success.

Musk's influence on Twitter is evident in the introduction of exciting new features designed to enrich the user experience. Twitter Blue, a subscription service priced at $8 per month, offers subscribers an array of additional benefits, including the coveted blue checkmark verification badge. Furthermore, Twitter has expanded its character limit to enable long-form tweets, given priority to Twitter Blue users in tweet replies, and extended video upload limits to a generous two hours. These enhancements exemplify Musk's commitment to providing Twitter users with an enhanced and engaging platform.

Elon Musk's insightful remarks shed light on his ambitious vision for Twitter and his determination to bring about positive change. With a renewed focus on innovation, a streamlined workforce, and the introduction of exciting new features, Twitter is well on its way to reclaiming its position as a leading social media platform. Under Musk's leadership, the future of Twitter looks bright, and users can anticipate an even more engaging and dynamic experience on the platform.

In a recent statement, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, shared his thoughts on the issue of overstaffing at pre-acquisition Twitter. Musk acknowledged that there seemed to be a significant number of individuals at Twitter 1.0 who were engaged in activities that didn’t contribute much value to the company. However, he noted that this may be true for most Silicon Valley companies, albeit to a lesser extent than in the case of Twitter’s earlier iteration.

Evaluating the Value of Employees: Musk emphasized that every company has both employees who actively contribute to progress and those who hinder it. He likened the situation at Twitter 1.0 to a meeting scenario where out of ten participants, only one person would be accelerating progress while the remaining nine would be applying the brakes. This imbalance, according to Musk, hindered the company’s growth potential.

A Shift in Twitter’s Approach: Contrasting the previous state of affairs, Musk expressed that Twitter’s current approach is characterized by enthusiasm and a willingness to take calculated risks, even if it poses a minor threat to site stability. He proudly proclaimed that in the past six months, more new features have been introduced on Twitter than in the entire span of the previous six years. This demonstrates a significant shift in the company’s attitude towards innovation and progress.

Elon Musk’s Perspective on Twitter Acquisition: When asked about his sentiments regarding the acquisition of Twitter, Musk stated that he believes the company is on a comeback trajectory. In late 2022, Musk acquired Twitter and subsequently initiated a series of staff cuts, leading to an 80% reduction in the workforce over the following months. As of now, Twitter employs approximately 1,500 individuals, down from its peak of ~8,000 during the #Twitter 2.0 era.

Introducing Twitter Blue and Enhanced Features: Under Musk’s leadership, Twitter has introduced several new offerings to enhance user experience. The company now provides Twitter Blue, a subscription service priced at $8 per month, which grants subscribers access to additional features such as a blue checkmark verification badge. Moreover, Twitter has expanded tweet lengths to accommodate long-form content, prioritized replies from #Twitter Blue users, and extended video upload limits to two hours.

In summary, Elon Musk’s remarks shed light on his perspective regarding overstaffing at pre-acquisition Twitter. While acknowledging the presence of individuals who did not contribute significantly to the company’s progress, Musk highlighted the positive changes implemented since the acquisition. Twitter’s newfound enthusiasm for innovation, the reduction in staff numbers, and the introduction of new features demonstrate Musk’s commitment to revitalizing the platform and steering it towards a brighter future.

Source: Elon musk interview with WSJ CEO council

Elon Musk, the controversial figure behind Tesla and SpaceX, recently shared his questionable views on the issue of overstaffing at pre-acquisition Twitter. In a typical display of arrogance, Musk claimed that there were numerous individuals at Twitter 1.0 who he believed were not contributing significantly to the company's success. However, it's worth noting that his assessment may be tainted by his bias, as he holds a similar opinion about most Silicon Valley companies, although he admits it might not be as extreme as it was at the prior Twitter.

Musk's evaluation of employee value seems to reflect his autocratic leadership style. Using an analogy that oversimplifies the complexity of a company's dynamics, he compared the participants in a meeting at Twitter 1.0 to a single accelerator and a majority of brakes. Such reductionist thinking fails to acknowledge the diverse roles and contributions of individuals within an organization.

While Musk may boast about Twitter's supposed progress under his helm, a closer examination reveals a different picture. His reckless approach of launching new features without considering the potential risks to site stability raises concerns about the long-term viability and user experience on the platform. While innovation is important, it must be balanced with a commitment to quality and reliability.

When asked about his acquisition of Twitter, Musk's response reflects his inflated ego. Claiming that the company is on a *comeback arc* may be nothing more than an attempt to save face. The massive staff cuts he implemented following the acquisition, resulting in an alarming 80% reduction in the workforce, raises questions about the sustainability of Twitter's operations and its ability to effectively serve its users.

Musk's influence on Twitter is evident in the introduction of Twitter Blue, a subscription service that further monetizes the platform. By offering a blue checkmark verification badge to subscribers, Musk perpetuates a system that favors those who can afford to pay. Moreover, the extension of tweet lengths and longer video uploads appear to be superficial attempts to attract users, rather than addressing the more pressing issues of harassment and disinformation that plague the platform.

In conclusion, Elon Musk's remarks on overstaffing at pre-acquisition Twitter reflect his self-aggrandizing tendencies and disregard for the nuanced realities of running a company. While he may boast about Twitter's supposed progress and his vision for the platform, there are valid concerns about the prioritization of innovation over stability, the impact of drastic staff cuts, and the monetization of features that further perpetuate inequality. It remains to be seen whether Twitter will truly thrive under Musk's leadership or if his actions will lead to the platform's downfall.

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