Cisco Analysis

Alternative structures such as grouping by output/product or grouping by market are not options as they would result in “duplication of activities and resources, the erosion of deep technical expertise, missed opportunities for synergies and learning” (Ancona, Kochan, Scully, Van Maanen, & Westney, 2009, p. M2-19). The matrix structure provided a potential positive aspect in that it would provide a needed cross-functional linking mechanism by mixing the functional structure with grouping by output/product, but the complexity, cost, dual systems, and dual roles resulting from the matrix structure historically resulted in either the functional or the output/product system becoming more powerful than the other.

During the 2001 functional reorganization, three cross-functional business councils were created with the goal of “aligning the organization and driving productivity gains… while ensuring that a customer-mindset remains the company’s focus every step of the way”. These councils continued to expand and improve between 2001 and 2007 (see Appendix 1). The capability to create additional capacity in the form of organization and product expansion for Cisco was the driving force behind the internal governance system. Although this new collaborative system increased and altered previous methods and processes Cisco leaders, management and VP’s were accustomed to, thus acting as a resisting force, the existing culture at Cisco was such to embrace change rather than fight it.

Yemen G.; Chatterjee S.; &Bougeois III L. (2003). Cisco: Early if not Elegant (A). University of Virginia. Darden Business Publishing.

When John Chambers assumed the CEO position, he outlined some very specific objectives for Cisco’s future success. His plans included creating a one-stop shop for business networks by creating a comprehensive product line, to make acquisitions an efficient business process, to create industry-wide software standards for networking, and to choose the right strategic partners. All of these efforts would change the way companies and industries operated by creating an infrastructure of networked voice, data and video.

This refers to how activities such as task allocation, coordination and supervision are directed towards achievement of organizational goals, therefore it seeks to define a way an organization conducts its business, treats its employee, customer and wider community. Moreover, Google represents a cross- functional structure also known as matrix or flat structure. This means that employees, groups or teams can bypass middle management and report directly to the top management, one being the CEO, Sundar Pichai.

The nature of the market structure and demand of Cisco Systems is its business market which contains fewer but larger companies. For Cisco Systems, this implies that even though they have fewer clients than other companies, they still have a good and profitable relationship with their clients. For the customers of Cisco Systems, this implies that they will receive better and faster service and products because they don’t have to compete for the attention and service of Cisco Systems.

The problems experienced by the NetManager project appear to be symptoms of integration vs. responsiveness issue within Siemens AG. As a transnational company, Siemens faces strong pressure to globally integrate its operations, and be responsive to the needs of their offices and customer’s needs. The main problem with NetManager was that it had mushroomed in size and strategic importance. This was the result of keeping up with the rapidly changing technological demands, and

Changing the IT infrastructure however would prove problematic. Cisco had a policy of centralized IT yet the company had several legacy systems that had become siloed, and lack of integration to them was slowing down sourcing, supply chain integration to manufacturing and also drastically slowing down revenue recognition as exemplified with the many problems with general ledger and other core transaction processing applications. Making matters worse, Cisco has deliberately created system workarounds to circumvent their legacy systems that had been causing the slow-down in core manufacturing and accounting system.

Why or why not? ANSWER: To determine whether a matrix structure is feasible now, or will be feasible in the future, students should examine the requirements for a matrix. Is there a dual domain competitive issue? Perhaps, in this case. Service and creativity require technical competence within each function, and yet at the same time, effective coordination across functions. Is the environment uncertain? Overall, there is potential for rapid environmental change. The environment of an advertising agency is not as uncertain, and does not have as great a potential for instability as the environment of computer chip manufacturers, but nevertheless the environment is relatively uncertain. Customers change agencies frequently, and employees drift from agency to agency. New developments and techniques occur in the industry's technology. Is there a need to share resources across project or product lines? Yes, one of the problems of moving to a hybrid structure with account executives serving as the focus of line authority is the tremendous duplication of functional resources. Unless an agency is extremely large, it cannot afford to have separate teams of art, copy, merchandising, media, and research specialists for every account executive. This is an example of the need for shared resources that typifies a matrix structure. Thus a matrix structure might be feasible for Aquarius Advertising. But in this situation, matrix is not the

Bovee, c & Thills, j (2013) recommended Organization structure as structures as "Utilitarian structure: Grouping labourers as per their comparable abilities, asset utilization, and mastery" "Divisional structure: Grouping offices as indicated by likenesses in item, process, client, or topography" Matrix structure: A structure in which workers are allotted to both a useful gathering and a venture group subsequently utilizing practical and divisional examples at the same time" system structure: A structure in which singular organizations are joined electronically to perform chose assignments for a little home office association (Bovee, C. & Thill, J., 2013).

Cisco Systems, Inc. is an IT company that specifies in the sale of networking and communication items and solutions. It is a business-to-business company where they sell items primarily to large enterprises and telecommunications companies while also marketing items designed for small businesses and consumers such as routers, modems, and home network management software. The items and solutions target to transport data, voice and video interaction within buildings and institutions as well as around the world. Cisco's supply chain was organized like a pyramid, with the company at the main point. On the second level, there were a few contract manufacturers who were accountable for final set up and assembly. These manufacturers were reliant on large sub-tier organizations for elements such as processer chips and optical equipment. Those organizations in turn were reliant on an even larger base of product providers who were spread all over the world.

Matrix organization is one of the business systems that used in advanced reporting and analyzing between managers. The reports of individual employees are reviewed by both functional manager and product manager. As challenges, this creates competition between managers who has most power upon the decision-making. So this can radiate

Think Cisco? Don’t think anymore it is merely a “networking” company. Now, it is a technology organization, having a newly appointed CEO, a new executive leadership team, and a special emphasis on the culture with a new chief people officer. Cisco is a diverse, cutting-edge and a great place to work—all these are stated by its people. However, the company faced problems of social recruiting.

Since it was critical to Cisco’s strategic commitment of advancing, the company had to pick the best option to implement quickly. The two alternatives were know as: create knowledge and expand the community. With key decision criteria , this report carefully examines both of the options that can quickly be implemented and yet help Cisco integrate into IoE era.

Cisco Systems is a world leading company in the switches and router market. Established in 1984 by a Stanford University couple, IT administrators Len Bosack and Sandy Lerner. Ina short period after founding, it became one of the most successful companies in high technology industry. In Cisco, manufacturing of its switches and router was outsourced, the company focused on core competencies: product design and development. Indirect sales and distribution through resellers became the major sales channel in the end of 1990’s; its “Value-Added Reseller” (VAR) was the most successful indirect sales channel strategy at that time. In later 1990s, Cisco had ever been the world’s most valuable company,