Poll us—any of us, whether customers, partners, or Cisco. We’re all experiencing the same thing: We’re at a point where technology is enabling a pervasive computing and collaboration experience for end users. It’s the “era of engagement”—and it’s fundamentally changing expectations for the end-user experience, just as it’s  changing expectations for business – how we do business, operate business and grow business.

Big End User Demands

Recently a customer CIO described how he delivers IT to his company: “When it comes to technology, we have to go where the users are. Technology must be intuitive, user friendly. Our employees choose technology based on what works. I run behind them and try and plug in the support they need to use it.”

Today, employees want their Sunday experience at work on Monday. They’re much more mobile in how they run their lives, communicate, share information and collaborate—and they expect the same on the job.

Consider these facts:

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Tags: business objectives, CIO, customer, mobility, Problem solving, technology

In the summer of 2010, Veronica Recanati, Security Partner Account Manager for Cisco Italy, spent one month of paid time off volunteering at an orphanage in Tanzania. It turned out to be a life-changing experience not just for her, but for many of her colleagues in Rome.

In Tanzania, Veronica realized just one euro could buy ten meals for children. She realized more help was needed, not just in Tanzania, but at home in Italy and around the world. And she realized she wanted be involved.

“It was like a bomb that exploded in my head,” Veronica says. “I wanted to use my experience with Cisco to help.”

Today, Veronica is part of a very active Italy Civic Council – a group of Cisco employees that leads volunteer and charitable activities at the local level.

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Tags: Cisco Italia, civic council, community relations, community service, corporate social responsibility, CSR, donate, employee engagement, Italy, nonprofit, orphanage, poverty, Sensacional, Tanzania, technology, volunteer, volunteer engagement

Welcome to the new Cisco Perspectives blog.  This new blog features real Cisco customers as they share their Cisco experiences with you.

The customer stories found in the Perspectives blog span a breadth of Cisco technologies, products, and services, and provide additional insights into Cisco business solutions.

Your voice is important, too! We hope you will become an active participant in and visitor to the Perspectives blog. As our customers relate the important role Cisco plays in their business, we encourage you to ask questions, share content, and add your own perspectives.   Looking forward to hearing from you!

Tags: customer, customer stories, technology, Voice

I am still feeling the energy from the Girls in ICT venue held in New York City on April 26, 2012 where I participated on a panel with outstanding women from Microsoft, Ushahidi and Facebook.

The conference included women pioneers from government and private industry who engaged in a stimulating dialogue on the topic of girls in ICT; to recruiting and retaining women in ICT a topic where shared accountability is a MUST.

Further, ITU Secretary General, Dr. Hamadoun Touré pointed out Cisco in his opening keynote:

“Special mention should go to Cisco, a long time partner of ITU, which today organized more than 40 different events globally – and I know that many other tech companies have also been very active in promoting events and celebrations.”

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Tags: engineering, girl, ICT, technology, women

If you missed the EG Conference on inspiration and innovation, check out Cisco VP Marie Hattar’s recap in her blog, “No-Holds-Barred Inspiration.”

Tags: Cisco TelePresence, education, EG, entertainment, innovation, technology