I shared an replace with our workers at this time that I wish to additionally share publicly, thus I’m republishing it right here on our weblog. Right here it goes:
Expensive Rockers,
At the moment we made the choice to scale back our workforce by 15% p.c. Rockers affected have already been knowledgeable and met with their leaders for readability on their subsequent steps. I can not categorical sufficient my gratitude for his or her contributions to the corporate, and we’ve got assured them that we’ll do every part we are able to to assist them on this transition. I may also be personally out there to supply my assist.
It was a tough however mandatory resolution to allow Rock to develop into a extra sustainable and centered firm, permitting us to return to profitability. Though some issues that introduced us listed here are past our management, the accountability for this resolution rests with me because the CEO.
Transferring ahead, I wish to reassure every of you that our mission stays the identical: to make advertising and marketing higher whereas having a optimistic influence on the planet. These changes had been vital and mandatory for us to proceed working in direction of that.
Why are we doing this? Why now?
Over 2022, we’ve began a number of initiatives to streamline and scale our operations to return Rock to profitability. Moreover that, we delivered a efficiency under our plan and will have carried out higher as a workforce. Not that we didn’t work arduous, actually, we did, however we misplaced operational effectivity and have become extra complicated, stopping us from placing our A-game on the market. Sadly, regardless of all our arduous work, our efforts weren’t sufficient to get us the place we would have liked to be.
We’re additionally residing in a second of elevated financial uncertainty, rising rates of interest, geopolitical conflicts, and a world recession looming. The second known as for motion, decisiveness, and focus. Rock has navigated unsure moments like this earlier than, and I’m certain this received’t be the final. Nice firms are resilient firms. They’re outlined by their potential to satisfy the second and adapt quick.
What adjustments?
Greater than ever, it’s time to be frugal, resourceful, and agile. It’s time to simplify— doing fewer issues higher. It’s time to give attention to the issues that matter to our purchasers and enterprise, turning into extra scalable day by day.
Over the previous few years, we began to maneuver extra slowly, and we misplaced a few of our startup frugality. With these adjustments, we have gotten an easier, extra centered group with fewer merchandise, departments, and organizational layers. We now have a transparent plan to speed up the sundown of non-core merchandise & initiatives whereas specializing in two enterprise priorities:
I) accelerating our international self-service and product-led progress mannequin, and
II) doubling down on delivering success and rising our enterprise purchasers.
Our workforce measurement, construction, and composition now replicate these priorities.
These changes will allow us to attain our profitability objectives, turning into much less depending on exterior market circumstances and exterior capital to exert extra management over our future.
Your function on this journey
I perceive that the present downturn has precipitated loads of nervousness amongst our workforce and the tech trade as a complete. I needed to thank every Rocker on your endurance and for all the time believing in Rock and our mission, which stays as vital as all the time. By embracing change and dealing collectively as a workforce, we’ll proceed constructing a permanent firm.
You stayed for a purpose, to assist us fulfill this mission as a workforce. This second asks all of us for elevated duty, and we should execute with self-discipline to proceed the attractive trajectory we’re so happy with. Keep in mind that smaller groups can get extra carried out and transfer sooner. With elevated focus and agility, we’ll proceed constructing the world’s main Content material Cloud and, now, each Rocker performs a fair greater function on this journey.
As all the time, you may depend on my dedication, and I’m relying on yours. We count on you to be there for our purchasers and Rock.
So, at this time, let’s give attention to supporting our colleagues with the compassion they deserve. Tomorrow, we’ll collect at a City Corridor assembly to debate the updates to our strategic plan and begin subsequent week centered and energized to ship our objectives for 2023. With the appropriate construction and an elevated focus, it’s upon us to execute.
The way forward for advertising and marketing is content-first, and in instances of financial uncertainty, manufacturers want content material greater than ever. We shall be right here to assist them!
Rock on,
D.
