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9 interviews · 11 quotes
In conversation
John Chambers is an extraordinary leader. During his 25 years at Cisco, he took the business profitably from $1 billion, to over $49 billion in annual revenues. Not only is this one…
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From the archive
With a dedicated salesforce, stellar customer support, and solid products, you could capture a staggering 70% market share. The core philosophy? Deliver tangible outcomes for your customers.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
While many were focused on selling routers and switches, I envisioned a more transformative goal: changing the way the world works, learns, lives, and plays via the internet... we must sell outcomes, driven by technology, rather than just selling products.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
When it comes to acquisitions, many people jump straight to analyzing the financial returns. I approach it differently. I start by asking: How will our customers benefit from this acquisition?
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
I urge everyone to channel their inner teenager. Think back to those fearless days brimming with creativity and ambition. As we age, societal rewards for 'playing it safe' can stifle our innovative spirit.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
Dyslexics, like me, often possess above-average intelligence, but we grapple with sequential thinking. Instead of thinking linearly from A to B to C to D, we jump from A to B to Z. Over time, I've learned to turn a perceived 'weakness' into a strength.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
Growing up in West Virginia, we were at the forefront economically— the chemical and coal mining center of the world. However, due to an inability to adapt to changing market dynamics and transitions, our position plummeted to the bottom ranks among the US states... I firmly advocate the idea of reinventing oneself every 5 years.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
I start by asking: How will our customers benefit from this acquisition? I tend to shy away from companies that don't share a similar cultural ethos. Even if an acquisition seems financially sound, if there's a stark cultural mismatch, I'd usually reconsider.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
In the tech sphere, when you acquire a company, you're seldom buying the present product. Instead, you're investing in their future innovations. This means retaining talent is paramount.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
You move faster with replication. There was a time I could finalize an acquisition of a $3 billion company within days, from hearing about it on a Thursday to announcing it publicly on a Sunday. Such speed is a testament to the value of a replicable process.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
I firmly advocate the idea of reinventing oneself every 5 years.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
I urge everyone to channel their inner teenager. Think back to those fearless days brimming with creativity and ambition. As we age, societal rewards for 'playing it safe' can stifle our innovative spirit.
— John ChambersFormer CEO of Cisco Systems, led company through internet boom era
