#efficiency

Any insight on what's cooking?

Pretty clear that there is no need for Project Managers anymore, and that they are rapidly phased out, together with the Portfolio Manager level of directors.

Feels like the operations side will be on the front burner, with focus on finding areas that can be made more efficient (i.e., layoffs).

After reading another headline article on a big media website, it got me thinking about AI use here at COP. I wanted to take a poll of how or if AI has changed your job in any way. Who is and isn't using AI tools? What is the roadmap for implementing tools to make your day more efficient? Do you foresee any jobs at COP in O&G being lost due to upcoming AI tech?

Fintech unicorn Rapyd is undergoing a major restructuring. It is laying off employees as part of this process. CEO Arik Shtilman announced a shift to an AI-driven business model. This change aims to make the company faster and more efficient. Dozens, potentially over a hundred, workers are affected by the cuts.

https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h1r00jfrgzl

Why is it that in this company when people are called architects they're nothing more than admin assistants or when they're called engineers they're nothing more than non-technical analysts and why is it that these architects are performing administrative actions for these engineers while being denied access to provide valid implementation instructions?

Why are such efficiencies continuing to be the status quo and not replace by automation to remove these unnecessary administrative task items let alone the non-technical analysts who provide no value other than following steps on how to push buttons?

How is anyone supposed to be employed on this model for long periods of time let alone be considered a valid representative in their tradecraft?

This looks like a house of cards that's waiting to fall down due to a gust of wind or somebody walking by.

Overnight decision to move then out of the sla-ghter house currently known as Tech moves under Nish. Do we really need a chief privacy officer in that model and do we need over twenty people in a second line role where all of their functions were first line centric ? If we think of efficiencies and what matters for members this is pretty easy. This groups previous leadership fought tooth and nail when anyone dared to mention they belong in second line. (Judy and her leadership team) time to clean house I guess this is a no brainer. Any bets on what happens to a 25 person first line team moving into second line ?

BILL Holdings is cutting its workforce by up to 30%. This strategy aims to make the company leaner. The company also plans to leverage AI for increased efficiency. BILL Holdings faces headwinds from declining interest rates and SaaS sector pressures. Its stock has seen a roughly 20% decline year-to-date.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4906834-bill-holdings-ramping-profitability-with-new-layoffs

Get ready to be laid off. Nextera Energy goes through annual layoffs to improve efficiency which is why they are so efficient.

Southwest Airlines confirmed layoffs impacting approximately 75 employees. This action is part of an operational restructuring to improve efficiency. Displaced employees will have the opportunity to interview for new and current open roles. These layoffs follow a recent $10 increase in baggage fees. The airline is also dealing with rising operating costs, particularly fuel.

Dallas, Texas

https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-county/southwest-airlines-lays-off-employees-amid-restructuring/287-65ac613a-5e8a-4da3-a9c8-28c893ea3637

Verizon’s side of the house seriously needs to adapt some of the ways Frontier operates because, frankly, Frontier has always done certain things better. Faster execution, scrappier teams, less bureaucracy, and way less unnecessary process wrapped around every tiny initiative.

If I get added to one more Slack channel for something that could’ve been a two-sentence message, I’m going to scream. The amount of overcomplication is exactly why work slows down.

And leadership needs to be realistic about the culture issue. There are people on both sides who clearly don’t even want to be here anymore. Fine — give those people strong packages and let them move on. But keep the people who actually care, execute, innovate, and know how to get things done without turning every task into a 40-slide deck and six approvals.

Not everything has to be “the Verizon way.” Sometimes the better answer is already sitting right in front of you.

Gwyneth Paltrow's company, Goop, recently experienced staff layoffs. The company is transitioning to an AI workflow. Profitability and artificial intelligence are cited as reasons for the cuts. The exact number of affected employees remains unclear. A spokesperson stated Goop is adapting for efficiency.

https://www.tmz.com/2026/05/13/gwyneth-paltrows-goop-layoffs/

Verizon layoffs 2026: hundreds more jobs cut nationwide [ Yahoo Finance ].
Colleen Cabili
Thu, May 7, 2026 at 3:03 PM EDT

About six months after eliminating more than 13,000 positions in its largest-ever single round of layoffs, Verizon has confirmed a new wave of cuts totaling several hundred jobs across the country.

Without offering a precise figure, Verizon characterized the scope as under 1% of its global workforce, Business Insider reported. Smaller business units bear the brunt of the reductions, with Verizon's Basking Ridge, New Jersey campus seeing the heaviest impact.

"We're continuing to add head count to grow parts of the business that are growing while making targeted job reductions to portions of the business where this is needed," a Verizon spokesperson said in a statement.

At a time when many employers have pointed to AI as a rationale for headcount reductions, Verizon explicitly ruled out the technology as a factor in these cuts. Workers who lose their jobs can pursue any of the more than 1,000 U.S. roles currently listed on the company's careers page.

On last week's earnings call, CFO Anthony Skiadas described the company as operating with a leaner structure since the prior year's cuts and signaled that efficiency efforts would extend past 2026. During the same call, CEO Dan Schulman highlighted AI's growing footprint at Verizon, pointing to reductions in vendor support costs of up to 70% and a 40% gain in software code output.

When announcing the November 2024 cuts, Schulman characterized the scope as company-wide and said the savings would be redirected toward improving the customer experience.

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/verizon-layoffs-2026-hundreds-more-190352303.html

Sturm, Ruger & Co. implemented job cuts earlier this year. The firearms manufacturer disclosed these layoffs in its first-quarter earnings report. This "reduction-in-force" occurred in February as part of a restructuring effort. The company aims to improve efficiency and support long-term growth. Ruger recorded $2.5 million in severance and related expenses.

Southport, Connecticut

https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/ct-gunmaker-ruger-discloses-layoffs-amid-restructuring-efforts/

"Leahy said the multi-year cost management and efficiency ‘Geared For Growth’ initiative has paved the way for the AI-first focus of the plan going forward."

Okay, spill the beans...what is this, did they roll out CoPilot?

Disney executives discussed potential future workforce changes. CEO Josh D’Amaro and CFO Hugh Johnston spoke on an earnings call. The company aims to build a "culture of efficiency." They plan to shift expenses towards content and technology. Disney is also exploring AI to improve operations and guest experience.

Burbank, California

https://deadline.com/2026/05/disney-layoffs-workers-ai-culture-of-efficiency-1236882815/

Coinbase is reducing its workforce by 14%. CEO Brian Armstrong shared the news on X. He cited a need for greater company efficiency. Armstrong also noted AI's impact on changing work processes. Engineers now use AI to complete tasks in days that previously took weeks.

https://www.businessinsider.com/coinbase-layoffs-ai-brian-armstrong-job-cuts-letter-2026-5

Anyone who's actually used AI knows it's not replacing humans. Some highly specialized, deterministic models can enhance the work, that's all. Most of the time, it's just a convenient excuse to offshore or cut roles.

Tech giants are currently prioritizing efficiency. Meta and Amazon executives frequently mentioned efficiency during recent earnings calls. Microsoft's top finance executive confirmed a planned headcount decline this year. The company aims to increase its pace and agility. This move signals a broader focus on leaner operations within the tech sector.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/05/01/ai-jobs-tech-layoffs-austerity/

Christian Klein confirmed on CNBC this morning layoffs are coming when he challenged if he would follow META's call of a 10% cut.

He said efficiency is a priority for SAP

ASML announced a reduction of 1,700 staff members. This action targets bureaucratic inefficiencies. The company seeks faster decision-making. It will create 1,400 new technical positions. This emphasizes a focus on core engineering.

https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/asml-layoffs-job-cuts-the-king-of-advanced-chip-making-machines-cuts-1700-jobs-in-major-shake-up-but-is-china-ready-to-lure-them-all-and-forge-its-own-asml-empire/amp_articleshow/130441501.cms

FedEx filed a WARN notice with the New York State Department of Labor. This filing confirmed 43 job cuts. The layoffs are at the company’s Menands facility. These cuts are part of a larger company plan. FedEx aims to streamline operations and improve network efficiency.

Menands, NY

https://whatnow.com/news/local-news/multinational-shipping-company-fedex-cuts-43-jobs-at-menands-site/

I’m hearing last week from two senior folks that department managers are being asked to sketch out AI efficiency workforce plans.

The Regional Transportation District eliminated more than two dozen manager positions. Affected employees were notified in March, with their last day set for July 2, 2026. This action is part of a larger operations realignment effort. The goal is to reduce operating expenses and improve efficiency. A 2024 report by the Segal Group recommended these organizational changes.

Denver, Colorado

https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2026/04/15/rtd-lays-off-two-dozen-managers/

SAP has been keeping a close eye on how Joule and AI agents are being used within the company. They also track the time employees spend and the links they click on SAP product pages. Layoffs are on the horizon, and they’ll be viewed positively if they demonstrate AI efficiency. It’s easier for the executive board and HR to justify cutting 10% of the workforce by claiming that Joule has made us more efficient. This narrative is the best SAP can present at Sapphire. To enhance this story, Sapphire's theme revolves around two main points. First, we have a wealth of data on employee performance, which is stored in a global repository for decision-making. Performance Management majes it easier of course. Second, AI can analyze raw data to generate insights and recommendations that boost operational efficiency. Although these algorithms are complex, AI agents simplify resource management for 'managers' because of their conversational skills. Now, here’s the kicker: SAP has improved efficiency by reducing its workforce by 10%. That’s a significant win for the Sapphire narrative. In fact, over the past few months, SAP has been promoting SuccessFactors AI and HR-related application AI, with management constantly focusing on operational efficiency.

So why is there skepticism about layoffs? Our executive board has openly stated their desire for layoffs and aims to make the transition tough for employees. The funds for executive bonuses and share buybacks aren’t coming from customers, so they have to come from the workforce. Since customers aren’t buying into the narrative, SAP needs to provide the proof using substantial layoffs. That is the only way the share price will go up and some gullible customers will help improve SAP's cloud backlog.

Hey everyone, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the layoff situation at CVS, but I’ve noticed something strange: there haven't been any major WARN notices filed lately. Given the restructuring talk we heard last year, I’m trying to make sense of this.

Does the lack of filings mean the company is actually doing well and the 'efficiency' goals were met without more cuts? Or is this a sign that the broader economy is stabilizing? I’d love to hear if anyone inside the company has insight into whether more rounds are coming or if we're finally in the clear.

Is a reduction of workforce at Nike a bad thing? Revenue growth will come from productivity growth. More efficient teams. Motivated teams. AI. A reduction is not a bad if done right. And, to what I can see, 90% of the time, the right choices are being made.

Anyone under a ton of micromanaging
/scrutiny for low completion efficiencies beyond your control?

Chevron is laying off 111 workers in North Dakota. These cuts follow Chevron's acquisition of Hess Corp. The layoffs affect 63 employees in Minot and 48 in Tioga. Chevron completed its merger with Hess on July 18. The company cited efficiency and lower oil prices as factors.

Minot, North Dakota; Tioga, North Dakota

https://www.journalnd.com/articles/journal-news/hess-new-owner-cutting-48-jobs-in-tioga-63-in-minot/

Sonos implemented layoffs within its marketing team. This action marks a strategic pivot for the company. New Chief Marketing Officer Colleen DeCourcy led the restructuring. She stated the marketing division had become too diffuse. The goal is improved operational efficiency and faster execution.

https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/industry/sonos-lays-off-staff-in-marketing-unit/130057109

Sonos laid off marketing staff as part of an organizational restructuring. Chief Marketing Officer Colleen DeCourcy is leading these changes. The company aims to simplify operations and reduce overlap. This move also seeks to improve execution speed across teams. The restructuring focuses on a unified brand-led approach.

https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/sonos-layoffs-2026-the-audio-technology-brand-has-cut-jobs-from-marketing-team-over-restructuring-article-13880860.html

Wells Fargo is cutting 62 additional jobs at its West Des Moines campus. These job reductions will take effect on May 30. This action is part of a broader national downsizing effort. The company cites efficiency moves and changing mortgage demand. Wells Fargo has now announced 286 cuts in the Des Moines metro area since September.

West Des Moines, Iowa

https://nationaltoday.com/us/ia/urbandale/news/2026/04/04/wells-fargo-announces-more-west-des-moines-layoffs/

It is my understanding that the company is planning to lay off a significant number of employees who are directly responsible for day-to-day execution. In light of this, it would be advisable to also evaluate the structure and effectiveness of the senior management team.

A thorough assessment of management layers and their contribution to operational efficiency may help identify meaningful cost-saving opportunities. In some instances, organizations develop multiple layers of leadership that are not closely aligned with core business functions, which can introduce inefficiencies. Additionally, certain senior-level appointments made under prior leadership may warrant review to ensure alignment with current organizational needs and performance expectations.

It is also important to evaluate whether the addition of high-ranking, high-cost roles is delivering the intended improvements in efficiency and execution. A balanced approach that considers both leadership structure and frontline resources is critical to sustaining operational effectiveness.

From a customer perspective, there are growing concerns regarding execution timelines. Based on ongoing engagement with financial institutions across both the East and West Coasts, a consistent theme is that projects are taking longer than expected to launch. This may reflect an overreliance on layered management and delegation, rather than a streamlined, execution-focused approach.

Given the competitive landscape, these concerns are increasingly significant. Industry discussions indicate that organizations are actively evaluating alternative providers, making it essential to address efficiency, accountability, and delivery performance to maintain strong client relationships l,

Many HR functions could be handled far more efficiently by AI. Tasks like managing job offers, coordinating interviews, handling relocations, and processing employee concerns need accuracy and consistency, and AI is way better at that than traditional systems. less delays, less errors.

Mike and his whole team need to read.
https://www.inc.com/howard-yu/what-circuit-citys-ghost-can-teach-2026-ceos-about-the-dangers-of-efficiency/91318594

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies confirmed layoffs at its College Station facility. This decision followed a strategic review of the company's portfolio. The company aims to improve efficiencies and align operations with customer demand. A small number of roles were impacted by this effort. Impacted individuals will receive support including severance packages.

https://www.kbtx.com/2026/03/19/global-medicine-vaccine-producer-confirms-layoffs-college-station-facility/

https://www.businessday.co.za/world/international-companies/2026-03-16-corporate-america-continues-job-cuts-in-2026-in-efficiency-push/

How is Intel more efficient when I spent all 8 hours today approving entitlements for people in this AGS system. Is this efficiency?

Curious what everyone’s thoughts are on the AI impacts at Cigna?

Every time companies talk about “effeciency” it often ends up meaning fewer people doing the same work. Also with the recent job eliminations and the intense focus on improving effeciencies, it makes me wonder where things are heading.

Not trying to be negative or start rumors, just curious what others think about this. Is AI impacting your role yet? Any thoughts on how this might impact jobs at Cigna going foward?

Tech layoffs reached over 45,000 globally in early 2026. Approximately 20% of these reductions, totaling over 9,200 jobs, are linked to AI implementation. Block accounted for the largest single cut with 4,000 layoffs, driven by AI tool capabilities. Other companies like WiseTech Global, Livspace, eBay, and Pinterest also reduced staff due to AI strategies. Firms are restructuring operations around AI-driven workflows to boost efficiency and automate tasks.

https://technode.global/2026/03/09/2026-tech-layoffs-reach-45000-in-march-more-than-9200-due-to-ai-and-automation-rationalfx/