Layoffs have the opposite effect to the "startup buzz". With startups, things are growing fast, sales are rolling in, everyone feels invincible. Promotions and

Layoffs have the opposite effect to the "startup buzz". With startups, things are growing fast, sales are rolling in, everyone feels invincible. Promotions and raises come in fast. No office politics. Abundant resources. People see this exponential growth and they're excited to be paid in stock options. Layoffs are the opposite of that. It's a symbol that the company is no longer growing.