Organizational Culture of Cisco Systems Inc. Essay

Cisco Systems, Inc. is a global company that embodies the many characteristics of a company that values its employees as much as its clients. Cisco listens to their employees and responds to their needs. Cisco Systems has long been recognized as being one of the top 25 best places to work in America because of how its high regard for its employees. Cisco’s Organizational AppealThe appeal of Cisco’s organizational culture is that it appreciates its employees. It offers flexibility that few other companies do. This is particularly appealing to me in that I have observed over the years that many companies forget that if an employee feels like a stakeholder in the business, then he or she will be far more willing to take the extra steps to walk the extra mile to perform to the highest of standards. An unhappy, disgruntled employee, on the other hand, will merely show up, do just enough to keep the boss off his or her back and call it a day. Cisco Systems offers a myriad of perks to its employees including but not limited to:1.Access to on-site childcare. 2.E-learning courses. 3.Formal and in-formal flexibility of work hours that allows for the integration of home and professional life in a comfortable, manageable way. 4.On-site Weight Watchers Programs. 5.Elder Care Assistance. These are but a few of the benefits that Cisco offers. When an employee feels like the company believes in and cares for them as a person, then they believe in that company too. I share the core value of employees coming first with Cisco. I believe that without employees to tote the barge and life the bale, the work will not be done. All too many companies forget that business is like an upside-down pyramid and that the employees are at the top of the pyramid no matter how management may try to think otherwise. The seven characteristics that Cisco Systems employees include stability where growth comes in a balanced manner, outcome orientation, innovation, team orientation, people orientation, organizational easygoingness and detail orientation. Each and every one of these characteristics must be present. They must be present in a manner that is balanced. Should any one of them characteristics become imbalanced, an organization will find itself in deep trouble. Cisco Systems has managed to find and maintain the delicate balance of all of these and their success is reflected in their continued growth and prosperity. However, if I had to narrow the field to just one, I would have to saw their orientation to the team concept, team organization, if you will, is their primary embodiment. Virtually all of their professional activities are organized around partners and teams. Cisco Systems possesses a very strong cultural appeal. This is evidenced by the undeniable fact that they are a leader in cultural diversity and technological advancement. They have earned the respect of their employees and their partners because of this organizational culture. This culture is ethical in nature because to treat employees fairly and as human beings, not just bodies that fill the seats in the cubicles is a matter of morality on the part of the employer. High business morals are consistent with high business ethics. It cannot be denied that Cisco Systems is a model for other organizations to emulate when the layers are peeled away. References: Gildorf, Jeanette W. â€Å"Organizational Vulture.† Business Guidelines. 2006. 18 Mar. 2008 . Stock, G. N. (2007). Organizational Culture. Internal Journal of Production Economics, 106(2), 368-392.