Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal has a new thread up explaining why he’s firing people ahead of Elon Musk’s (maybe) purchase of the company:
@Twitter CEO on why he's letting top executives go, and cutting costs. https://t.co/I9ZqSl6vA7
— Jacob Ward (@byjacobward) May 13, 2022
But before we get to the thread, we’ll warn you that it’s “light on details as usual”:
Long thread from Twitter CEO about what he’s up to, pretty light on details as usual https://t.co/iBr1EOGP2n
— Alex Kantrowitz (@Kantrowitz) May 13, 2022
It’s being compared to “sweeping the floor in a glass store in the middle of an earthquake”:
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Decent and cogent thread from self-described “lame-duck” @Twitter CEO @paraga, but it’s akin to explaining why you’re sweeping the floor in a glass store in the middle of an earthquake. https://t.co/nIbA4286cM pic.twitter.com/7rJMW6CsZl
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) May 13, 2022
And “[w]hy would you make major changes to your leadership team if you really expected the deal to close?”:
Why would you make major changes to your leadership team if you really expected the deal to close?
— Scott Wapner (@ScottWapnerCNBC) May 13, 2022
Bingo:
This
— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) May 13, 2022
And now for the thread ==>
“A lot has happened over the past several weeks. I’ve been focused on the company and haven’t said much publicly during this time, but I will now.”
A lot has happened over the past several weeks. I’ve been focused on the company and haven't said much publicly during this time, but I will now.
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) May 13, 2022
“We announced changes to our leadership team and operations yesterday. Changes impacting people are always hard. And some have been asking why a “lame-duck” CEO would make these changes if we’re getting acquired anyway. The short answer is very simple:”
We announced changes to our leadership team and operations yesterday. Changes impacting people are always hard. And some have been asking why a “lame-duck” CEO would make these changes if we’re getting acquired anyway. The short answer is very simple:
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) May 13, 2022
“While I expect the deal to close, we need to be prepared for all scenarios and always do what’s right for Twitter. I’m accountable for leading and operating Twitter, and our job is to build a stronger Twitter every day.”
While I expect the deal to close, we need to be prepared for all scenarios and always do what’s right for Twitter. I’m accountable for leading and operating Twitter, and our job is to build a stronger Twitter every day.
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) May 13, 2022
“No one at Twitter is working just to keep the lights on. We take pride in our work. Regardless of the company’s future ownership, we’re here improving Twitter as a product and business for customers, partners, shareholders, and all of you.”
No one at Twitter is working just to keep the lights on. We take pride in our work. Regardless of the company’s future ownership, we’re here improving Twitter as a product and business for customers, partners, shareholders, and all of you.
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) May 13, 2022
“People have also asked: why manage costs now vs after close? Our industry is in a very challenging macro environment – right now. I won’t use the deal as an excuse to avoid making important decisions for the health of the company, nor will any leader at Twitter.”
People have also asked: why manage costs now vs after close? Our industry is in a very challenging macro environment – right now. I won’t use the deal as an excuse to avoid making important decisions for the health of the company, nor will any leader at Twitter.
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) May 13, 2022
“So what can you expect from me going forward? I’m still focused on doing the job, and that includes making hard decisions as needed. I will continue to embrace the deep complexities of our service and our business. And you can expect more change for the better.”
So what can you expect from me going forward? I’m still focused on doing the job, and that includes making hard decisions as needed. I will continue to embrace the deep complexities of our service and our business. And you can expect more change for the better.
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) May 13, 2022
“I will also try to bring more transparency to the work that we do. You won’t see tweets from me on the ‘topic of the day’ or the loudest sound bite, but rather on the ongoing, continuous, and challenging work our teams are doing to improve the public conversation on Twitter.”
I will also try to bring more transparency to the work that we do. You won’t see tweets from me on the ‘topic of the day’ or the loudest sound bite, but rather on the ongoing, continuous, and challenging work our teams are doing to improve the public conversation on Twitter.
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) May 13, 2022
“Finally – so much gratitude for our whole Twitter team. They have stood strong and focused, sharp and agile. They’ve been doing the work, as they always have. Onward.”
Finally – so much gratitude for our whole Twitter team. They have stood strong and focused, sharp and agile. They've been doing the work, as they always have. Onward.
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) May 13, 2022
“Because I mentioned the deal in this thread, he’re the obligatory legalese for your reading pleasure https://investor.twitterinc.com/financial-information/Additional-Information-and-Where-To-Find-It/default.aspx”
Because I mentioned the deal in this thread, he’re the obligatory legalese for your reading pleasure https://t.co/Zf5Q84j6AT
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) May 13, 2022
And now we wait for Elon Musk to make up his mind.
***
Related:
Update: Musk says 'Still committed to acquisition' https://t.co/d65kFuQn5a
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 13, 2022
