Yesterday I listened to the [Do show hosted by @pennsif](https://steemit.com/dtube/@pennsif/771fcmpg), where he chatted with @elipowell, along with several other Steemit employees, and a few other guests. 

I must admit that ever since @elipowell has stepped up to be Managing Director of Steemit Inc, things have improved significantly, both from a communications point of view, and more importantly operations and cost cutting. Listening to her speak yesterday was incredibly refreshing, and gave me great confidence in the future of Steem and Steemit.

Some of the takeaways I took from the recording are as follows:

* Since the start of the year, Steemit Inc have slashed their expenses dramatically, and at the same time have started receiving a revenue with the introduction of ads on Steemit.
* Steemit Inc are working on further cost cutting initiatives, as well as optimising their ad program, which would generate additional revenue.
* This means that they will be able to reduce their programatic selling of Steem in coming months.
* Steemit Inc have been developing a relationship with Coinmarketcap.com (CMC), and they expect the rating on Steem will be improved in the near future, as well as other benefits through integration of CMC APIs.
* The focus now is firmly on development of Communities and SMTs, with the goal of completing both by Fall this year.
* Communities will incorporate the ability for ad revenue sharing.

You can listen to the full recording [here](https://d.tube/#!/v/pennsif/771fcmpg).

Overall, there were a lot of positive things that came out from the discussion with the Steemit team, and I think @elipowell has been doing an excellent job leading the new structure of Steemit Inc. I’m very excited about the future of Steem, and really looking forward to Communities and SMTs in the coming months.

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