Tech Companies

Cisco Systems Inc.

The latest news about Cisco Systems Inc.

Cisco Moves to Streamline Management, Business
Cisco said Thursday that it will streamline its sales, services and engineering organizations to focus on what it said are "the five areas driving the growth of networks and the Internet."

Overview
Culture
Recruiting
Facts & Resources
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Overview

Cisco Systems Inc. is the No. 1 maker of communications gear that lets businesses and consumers connect to the Internet. Based in San Jose, Calif., the company built its business by selling routers and switches to large corporations and telecommunication providers. In recent years, Cisco has made a large push into the market for consumer networking gear with its acquisition of Linksys, a maker of low-cost Internet routers, and Scientific Atlanta, which makes digital boxes for cable television.

Cisco divides its markets into products for large corporate enterprises, government agencies, telecommunication service companies, consumers and small- to midsize businesses. It business units are organized by region: the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Emerging Markets, Japan and Asia Pacific.

Cisco is hyper-competitive and has a target of adding 20% more business in its adjacent markets each year. It enters new markets typically through acquisitions and uses its global sales force and broad distribution channel to gain market share.

Under CEO John Chambers, Cisco overhauled its management in 2009. Executives work on committees -- dubbed councils and boards -- and the company makes 70% of its decisions collaboratively, up from 10% just two years ago.

Culture

Cisco’s management structure is set up to be collaborative rather than top-down. Decisions are made by committee and social networking is promoted to connect its workforce. It has a myriad of company blogs penned by employees. You can follow the company on Twitter, Facebook and watch its YouTube videos.

Cisco has made repeat appearances on Fortune magazine's list of 100 Best Companies To Work For, which recently bestowed kudos to the company for being one of the largest U.S. providers of on-site childcare. At its San Jose, Calif., headquarters, Cisco has room for 800 children, whose parents can track them during the day via computer links.

Cisco offers a variety of training programs and courses to employees and nonemployed students, as well as certification programs to IT professionals around the world.

Recruiting

If called for an interview at Cisco, expect to be screened first to see if you’re skills match and you fit the company’s culture. Follow up interviews by digging deeper into technical knowledge. You'll be expected to ask questions about the job and company. Cisco actively recruits recent graduates and offers internships.