I interpreted it differently, like it was saying "some people are lazy, and you need to get rid of them". If I were one of the people who'd just been made redundant because a layer of management above me changed strategy, I'd find that comment really hurtful.

Many, many years ago I worked at a small company, mostly on a single project for a single client.

Out of the blue, one day the boss summoned me and told me I wasn't delivering enough value so I would be leaving. I knew he was lying (I had the numbers), and it still made me feel terrible.

If someone here is on a similar situation, let me tell you this: if you do your best and yet they tell you "you don't deliver enough value", it is the company's fault, not yours.

Really, just shrug it off and move on. Keep working hard and things will eventually work out.

PS: Four months later they wanted to hire me again, paying 50% more than before. I already had a better job ;)