Thank You Cisco!

As I move into my post-Cisco chapter, I find myself reflecting on my time here at this special company, and how it has deeply enriched me as a leader and person. My #1 take-away from Cisco is that CULTURE is the real X-factor, secret sauce, and competitive differentiator for this amazing place. I am so thankful to have been part of this culture, and I wanted to spend a few minutes on what the culture has meant to me personally.

I joined Cisco through the acquisition of TANDBERG. Anyone who knew TANDBERG, understood our culture was very unique – focused on customers, winning, people, fun, and profit. We believed that “culture eats strategy for breakfast”, and it was powerful. Coming into Cisco, I really thought it would be impossible to replicate. For one, TANDBERG was only 2,000 employees – while Cisco was 70,000 employees. How could such a large global business have a special culture?

The Cisco culture is strong, pervasive and multi-dimensional. Foundational in the culture is the unrelenting focus on employees, customers, and partners. The leadership emphasis is on “doing the right thing” in support of all three groups.

With employees, it became very clear that it wasn’t just lip service when an employee medical issue or family crisis might arise. In most cases, leadership jumped into help, and at times, John Chambers, Chuck Robbins or Jeff Sharritts would personally assist if needed. This was profound and really made Cisco feel like one large family – it really is!

Customer focus at Cisco is unparalleled. Before I joined, I competed against Cisco, and I often questioned why customers rarely left Cisco. The true customer-first focus – and the satisfaction it drove - was a major factor why. For example, Cisco quickly executes the CAP (Customer Assurance Process) to ensure the most challenging customer problems get solved – putting an army of the best and brightest people on the case to ensure complete satisfaction – in a very timely fashion. This process is the industry standard for excellence, and it helps retain “customers for life”. The CAP process is just one example around how Cisco passionately drives Customer Success – I could go and on with stories here.

Whether it is John Chambers or Chuck Robbins, the Board of Directors, Gerri Elliott or Wendy Bahr, Oliver Tuszik or Jeff Sharritts – Cisco is passionate about partnering. Cisco understands the unique role partners play in delivering solutions to customers – and engages with partners enabling them to profitably deliver word class solutions – regardless of architecture or consumption model. As customer needs change, Cisco is also deeply committed to helping partners evolve with them. At Cisco, partners are a competitive weapon, a force multiplier, and our unfair advantage. This is deeply engrained in the culture, and I am convinced this mindset will continue to withstand industry transitions and evolving consumption models.

When Cisco talks about “Giving Back,” they really mean it. For starters, Cisco provides employees paid time off to participate in non-profit causes – 40 hours a year. Even more, Cisco will match employee monetary donations to a long list of charities. Whether it’s helping to reduce world hunger, saving endangered species like the rhinos, or helping to solve the homelessness crisis, Cisco deeply commits by investing huge amounts of resources, employee time, and money. It’s terrific to see many Fortune 500 companies following suit recently – and Cisco has led the way here.

There are many powerful stories that further illustrate Cisco’s unique culture - these are just a few of them. When people ask me what the best thing about Cisco is - my answer is always the same – it’s the culture! I have been blessed in many ways in my life and having the opportunity to live this culture as a leader is one of those very special blessings. Thank you for the incredible experiences and the lasting memories, Cisco.