Cisco Systems Uses Its Culture for Competitive Advantage

Cisco Problem Identification Cisco is a well managed company that has successfully maneuvered past downturns in the company through a management structure that encourage teamwork. Although the teamwork model has been successful, it took a great deal of time form many in the company to adapt to the new structure including the changes in the compensation model which is now heavily based on meeting organizational goals through teamwork.

At the current time there is some question as to whether the current economic climate will allow the company to continue utilizing its current teamwork strategy. Options/Alternatives The problem facing Cisco could be handled appropriately by making some simple adjustments that will assist in making employees more confident with the arrangement. For instance the company could lower the percentage of compensation that is reliant on teamwork. Other alternatives might include the consolidation of some of the teams so that each employee is only on a limited number of teams.

In addition a companywide evaluation should take place so that the company can determine the types of change that need to be made. Recommendations Cisco must be willing to listen to concerns of employees and making changes accordingly. To this end the company should conduct a companywide evaluation that will be designed to ensure that the concerns of employees are taken into consideration as the company goes through the process of improving the current structure.

This Evaluation is recommended because it will reveal all of the factors that must be addressed and will assist management in finding a proper balance that will ensure that Cisco will continue to be successful well into the future. The evaluations will be in the form of a questionnaire that will be distributed via email. All relevant employees will be asked to complete the questionnaire ad return it within three days.

As it relates specifically to the idea of consolidation the evaluations will assist managers in determining which teams hold the most value for the company and to make changes accordingly. The company should make it clear to employees that their opinions do matter and that they will be an instrumental part of improving the current system. Implementation Once the questionnaires have been completed and analyzed, the company will make a decision concerning the teams that are to be eliminated.

Employees will be made aware of these decisions and employees that are members of the dismantled teams will be place on the consolidated teams in a manner that suits their skill sets. The progress of the new consolidated teams will be assessed each quarter to determine whether or not they are adequate. If it is determined that a team is inadequate or not functioning at an optimal level, managers.