Cisco’s Organization Culture

Cisco’s Organization Culture

Presenters

Amritha Inderpreet Komal

ApratimBindiMayur

Cisco Overview

Founded in Dec, 1984

“Best 100 Places to Work for 8 Consecutive Years”

Worldwide leader in networking for the Internet

Internet Protocol-based (IP) networking solutions are the foundation of networks

Evolution of Organization Culture

Evolution of Cisco Culture

Entry “John T. Chambers”

Changed the Leadership Style

Changed Incentives

Changed Structure

Changed the work culture

Used Social Media Tools

John Chambers - 5-pillar collaboration approach

And………….LIVING @ Work!

Cisco’s Organizational Culture

Cisco’s Culture

Employee involvement

High Level of Trust

Decision Making Team

Employee Empowerment

Absence of Micromanagement

Authority, Responsibility and the Accountability Cisco culture badge

Cisco’s Culture

‘Work/Life’

Flexible schedules and paid time-off

Frugal Spending

Perks and Incentives

Fun loving environment

Recreational activities

Employee Resource Groups

Connected Women (CW)

Cisco Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Advocates Network (GLBT&A)

Cisco Black Employee Network (CBEN)

Cisco Disabilities Awareness Network (CDAN)

Middle East Diversity and Inclusion (MEDI)

Indians Connecting People(ICON)

Cisco’s Culture Does Affect the Bottom Line

Cisco’s quick recovery

1999 2000 2002 2003 2004

2,0232,668

-1,014

1,893

3,578

4,401

2001

Net Income (in USD millions) Recorded losses in 2001 during the dot com bubble burst

Bounced back with net profits in 2002

Industry observers attributed this comeback to the organization culture

Proof in the Performance

SPICE

“We strive to be a best in class resource for Cisco's investors and analysts and to be strategic partners for management.”

‘WORSHIP OF CUSTOMERS’

Fiscal year 2011, Cisco employed a total of 41,163 people worldwide

Within 15 years Cisco bought 14 companies at investment of $5.5 billion

Social investment strategy

Drivers of Cisco’s Culture

Customer’s First

Customer comes first

Customer feedback

Customer satisfaction

Identifying problem area

Customer Loyalty

Top management support

Focus on growth

Regular support with executive and personnel through Intranet

Birthday breakfast, new hire session with Chambers

Transparent communication

Set examples

Use of Technology

HR transactions done online

Provided line managers with online tools

More than 40,000 pages on web for internal use

Concept of telecommuting

Internet TV enabled observe children at Cisco campus

Recruitment @ Cisco

Find candidates Frugal Not obsessed with status Future - enthusiasts of the internet

Passive applicants

Websites like and

“friends@Cisco”

Art fairs and annual events

Acquisitions and Partnerships

Competencies through acquisitions

R&D investment of $3 billion to be a Leader in Technology Innovation

Strategic alliances

Cisco Leadership Series – instructors from global business schools

Cisco’s Current Scenario

Current Challenges

Market Saturation - Share price fell from $70 to $17

Innovative technology – Cisco unable to cope up

Weak operational control and slow in making decisions

Unsuccessful ventures

Our Key Takeaways

Organizational work culture should evolve as per external factors

Work culture and policies doesn’t work at every phase

Market position of the company affects the work culture to some extent

Questions???