During the recent all-hands meeting led by X CEO Linda Yaccarino, employees were eager to hear if she would address the pressing issue of performance reviews. The company has been facing challenges, including a delayed promotions process and a sales team that is not expected to meet revenue targets for the quarter. This has led employees to anticipate possible layoffs, especially considering the company’s history of struggling under Elon Musk’s ownership.
One notable aspect discussed during the meeting was the presence of Steve Davis, CEO of The Boring Company, who has been reviewing finances at X’s headquarters in San Francisco. Employees described him as “the grim reaper who only shows up for bad things.” This suggests that the company may be considering significant changes or restructuring in response to its financial challenges.
Sources at X have reported that there have been recent layoffs, including the sudden departure of Yaccarino’s right-hand man, Joe Benarroch. The absence of key personnel raises concerns about the company’s stability and future direction. With approximately 1,500 remaining staffers, employees are understandably anxious about the potential impact of these changes on their roles and the company as a whole.
Focus on Live Events and Advertising
Yaccarino emphasized the importance of live events on the platform, such as the Super Bowl and March Madness, as well as promoting Musk’s x.AI chatbot Grok to advertisers. Despite highlighting the company’s focus on video driving advertising, there was a lack of specific details provided during the meeting. This suggests that there may be uncertainties surrounding the company’s strategy and priorities in this area.
HR and Promotion Process Changes
X’s head of HR, Walter Gilbert, announced plans to implement a broader and more robust promotion process that includes regular check-ins throughout the year. However, it was noted that many employee questions regarding HR, promotions, raises, and equity were not addressed during the meeting. This raises questions about the transparency and communication within the company’s HR processes and decision-making.
Notable Absence of Musk
Despite being in San Francisco at the time of the meeting, Elon Musk was noticeably absent. Instead, other directors joined, including Monique Pintarelli, Nick Pickles, Kylie McRoberts, and Haofei Wang. The absence of Musk, a key figure in the company’s leadership, may have contributed to the uncertainty and concern among employees about the company’s future direction and stability.
Overall, the X Company all-hands meeting raised significant concerns and questions among employees regarding performance reviews, layoffs, promotions, and communication within the company. The presence of key figures like Steve Davis and the absence of Elon Musk added to the uncertainty surrounding the company’s future. It remains to be seen how X will address these challenges and navigate the changes ahead.
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