At Cisco Live in Amsterdam, Fletcher Previn, the CIO, shared insights into Cisco’s future plans, emphasizing the importance of organizational culture amidst evolving workplace dynamics and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). As Cisco celebrates its 40th anniversary, Previn highlighted the company’s determination to lead in areas ranging from AI implementation in data centers to fostering digital resilience.
In an interview, Previn stressed the significance of company culture, stating, “Culture is the only thing you really own about your company. They can steal your technology, but not your philosophy.” This perspective underpins Cisco’s strategic roadmap, designed around three key pillars: user experience, business agility, and AI integration.
Previn’s first focus is enhancing user experience. He established a team directly answering to him from design and user experience, integrating user insights with development processes. The aim is to ensure that every product developed aligns with user requirements.
The second pillar is business agility, encompassing team dynamics and workflow organization. Previn advocates for developing stable, well-trained, and agile teams consisting of six to ten members, each possessing all necessary skills to bring innovations to market.
AI represents the third core pillar of Cisco’s strategy. Previn distinguishes between using AI to enhance productivity for employees, enabling business interactions, and Cisco’s efforts to build robust AI infrastructure, including new noise cancellation features for Webex.
On the subject of technology legislation, Previn acknowledged the escalating regulations concerning data privacy and residency, which vary significantly between Europe and the USA. He mentioned Cisco’s proactive approach, focusing on compliance across over 100 global markets.
Finding equilibrium between fostering innovation and adhering to regulations is crucial, according to Previn. Cisco’s responsible AI team collaborates with ethics and legal departments to ensure all developments align with the company’s values and local laws before implementation.
Previn also expressed concerns regarding shadow technology within organizations. He emphasized the need for transparent communication with employees to build trust regarding the technology they employ. Previn is focused on empowering employees by providing the right tools for improved productivity instead of limiting innovation due to security concerns.
Highlighting a successful initiative at Cisco, Previn introduced "Bridget," a digital assistant designed to assist employees with company-related inquiries by leveraging public and private information. The adoption of this project has been swift and effective.
Previn concludes that, as a critical business enabler rather than a mere cost center, IT departments must prioritize the development of engineers and technologists to shape the future of work. This approach not only enhances productivity but also uplifts employee engagement and satisfaction.
