Part 5/10:
He explained that a normalized headcount for a company of this size and maturity would likely be around 7,000 FTEs today, suggesting that about 3,000 to 4,000 positions were added unnecessarily. The company’s current strategy appears to involve significantly trimming those extra layers, partly through AI-driven efficiencies that may help bridge the remaining gap.
Industry-Wide Implications of Cost-Cutting Measures
Marcelo opined that such substantial layoffs set a precedent that other companies are beginning to follow. Observations included recent reductions at firms like C3.ai and eBay. He emphasized that automation and AI are transforming the workforce landscape, enabling companies to replace many human tasks and, consequently, justify cuts.