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Right. I gotta say something about this.
@Patreon CEO’s YouTube message letting the community (and world) know 36 people have been “let go”
@Patreon CEO’s YouTube message letting the community (and world) know 36 people have been “let go”
I... I hate this video. I hate it a lot.
If I were in the Patreon People Team I would have been a vocal advocate of this video - er - never being published.
So WHY do I hate it so much?
If I were in the Patreon People Team I would have been a vocal advocate of this video - er - never being published.
So WHY do I hate it so much?
Well, I won't speculate behind the reasons this is happening. Although some have, in the light of the @Basecamp #dramz, wondered if there is some conspiratorial layoffs connection.
However, I will say this:
However, I will say this:
If you want to be a company, and behave in a way which is commercially aggressive, then you need to stop pathetically tugging on the heartstrings of ~being a family~.
When you cross this line so consistently, as this video has, it is really hard to stomach.
When you cross this line so consistently, as this video has, it is really hard to stomach.
On one hand, we're a FaMiLy:
Addressing the "creators" like a close-knit community. Eerily faux-compassion (holding back tears?). This is about people's lives and livelihoods, and deserves ~transparency and clarity.~
Addressing the "creators" like a close-knit community. Eerily faux-compassion (holding back tears?). This is about people's lives and livelihoods, and deserves ~transparency and clarity.~
But like Mr Hyde, we're also business, and we gotta do what we gotta do:
Reminder we're in great shape financially (reminder: 9 digits). Bizarre HR Double speak "we need a different type of expertise in order to make this shift." Oh - and BTW: this process is exciting, actually.
Reminder we're in great shape financially (reminder: 9 digits). Bizarre HR Double speak "we need a different type of expertise in order to make this shift." Oh - and BTW: this process is exciting, actually.
So, mate... which one is it?
Look, I've been a part of lots of redundancies, and they fucking suck. The suck and they happen, and they're (often) more necessary than it may seem to those involved. I get it, I do.
But why do this bizarre-o-land video?
Look, I've been a part of lots of redundancies, and they fucking suck. The suck and they happen, and they're (often) more necessary than it may seem to those involved. I get it, I do.
But why do this bizarre-o-land video?
If you want to be a business which makes tough decisions and is commercial, fucking act like it.
Make the call, rip off the band-aid, give the adults you work with respect.
Don't pretend to ~own it~ but actually hide behind false platitudes and humble brags.
Make the call, rip off the band-aid, give the adults you work with respect.
Don't pretend to ~own it~ but actually hide behind false platitudes and humble brags.
Send out a blog (or a video if you really have to) which clearly sends one direct message:
We (me, the exec, the board) made a tough decision. Ultimately, we're a business and, although this is a commercial decision, we're doing the best we can to support our ex-employees.
We (me, the exec, the board) made a tough decision. Ultimately, we're a business and, although this is a commercial decision, we're doing the best we can to support our ex-employees.
The suggestion Jack wants to share "this moment with the community" is super gross.
What moment, Jack?
The super exciting business changes, or the tragically crushed livelihoods you super-dooper care about???
What moment, Jack?
The super exciting business changes, or the tragically crushed livelihoods you super-dooper care about???
This video has uncanny valley features throughout which patronise it's audience...
It's been so hard, but it's also been SO "inspiring and exciting."
We're doing SO well, but we cannot continue the way we're continuing.
It's been so hard, but it's also been SO "inspiring and exciting."
We're doing SO well, but we cannot continue the way we're continuing.
And - the worst bit: "I know I probably seem really sombre..." (Oh, are you worried about widdle owd me? 
)
Don't worry. WE'RE GOING TO BE STRONGER. We're fucking smashing it, we're killing it bro. We're fucking NAILING it in fact, "more than in the history of the company!"
)Don't worry. WE'RE GOING TO BE STRONGER. We're fucking smashing it, we're killing it bro. We're fucking NAILING it in fact, "more than in the history of the company!"
It's like youtube apology bingo but for frustratingly virtue-signalling CEO.
It's bad.
I feel bad for the Patreon team who have been let go. I feel bad for the people who may have tried to stop this video being posted. I feel bad for myself watching it 5 times.
It's bad.
I feel bad for the Patreon team who have been let go. I feel bad for the people who may have tried to stop this video being posted. I feel bad for myself watching it 5 times.
TL;DR. If your company starts making big calls: redundancies, restructures, pivots...You aren't ever going to be the underdog, and you aren't a family.
You're always going to be a company making business decisions.
Treat people with respect and at least let them have that.
You're always going to be a company making business decisions.
Treat people with respect and at least let them have that.
