John Chambers: Getting Cisco Through Tough Times

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John Chambers is a guilty scheister who cannot fight anyone who punches him in the face.

David Stanley of NY 12:28PM March 12, 2010

You must be the smartest CEO, do you think I can come meet you.

Christian of NY 12:25PM March 12, 2010

heyyy(;

of 10:38AM February 10, 2010

The previous poster is incorrect in his assertion:
"He [John Chambers] has diverted most of Cisco's $35 billion cash out of the US to avoid paying US taxes..."
The profit that global operating companies earn outside of the United States is subject to a local 'in-country' corporate income tax AND a second US corporate income tax should the company wish to 'repatriate' the funds back to the United States. Unfortunately the US- unlike nearly every other country in the world- does not allow for the 'in-country' income taxes to be deducted against the US income tax and therefore creates a double taxation situation for the global company (triple income taxation should the company then pass these repatriated funds on to its stockholders in the form of dividends). Most global companies therefore keep these profits off shore and do not repatriate the funds to the US in order to avoid this double or triple taxation of their profits.
The Bush corporate tax cuts of a few years ago allowed a one time repatriation of off shore profits back to the US at reduced tax levels which resulted in the return of billions of dollars of profits that companies like Cisco, Intel, IBM etc. had earned oversees to return to the US where it was used to hire new employees, build out new offices, finance acquisitions, pay out dividends, and pay for company stock repurchases etc. Unfortunately such tax 'cuts' (elimination of double taxation) are deemed immoral by the present administration and as such billions of dollars of much needed capital will remain off shore.
John Chambers (and Cisco's CFO) would be guilty of incompetence had they done anything otherwise.
As a long time shareholder of Cisco stock I am not happy with a CEO who has made over a hundred million dollars in realized and unrealized profit over the last 9 years while the price of the stock is basically flat.Contrast Cisco's stock with Apple's and you will see the difference between a great CEO from a below average one. "John Chambers a great leader"- a joke- but a criminal- certainly not.

Cisco Shareholder of NC 1:41PM November 24, 2009

"Chambers received a postgraduate education in sales at IBM"
Ah, there's the unfortunate corrupting influence.
People were making routers before 1984. Cisco took them into mass production, which is fine.
It's very regrettable that Chambers couldn't see his way to combat the corrupt Red Chinese government thugs, though, rather than aiding them.
My father would have agreed with the "shrewd" label, though you'd have to hear him say it to know whether it was positive or negative.

jgo of FL 1:52PM November 22, 2009

Although I agreed with this article's naming of Mr. Chambers as an accomplished leader, I thought it barely scratched the surface of the kind of inspiration he offers to customers, employees and partners of Cisco. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of his leadership style is the joyful, generous tone he sets for the people who work for him. To listen to Mr. Chambers speak on the future of Cisco and the Internet is to gain a sense of gratitude and enthusiasm for the privilege and opportunity of partcipating in something important and grand. In my experience as a Cisco employee, this magnanimous spirit is contagious and creates a "win-win" attitude at the company that generates innovation and market success.

Jonathan Cohen of CA 4:40PM November 19, 2009

John Chambers deserves immense credit for guiding Cisco through difficult economic times. He a smart, shrewd, and great CEO.
He falls short as one of "America's" great leader's though. He has laid off or forced retirement on many highly skilled American engineers in favor of less qualified labor in India, China, Philippines, and other low-cost countries. His actions and those of other high tech CEOs have discouraged American college students from entering engineering and computer science fields. (Expansion to other nations is a good thing, but it should not be at the expense of long-time, highly skilled employees who made the company what it is today.)
He has diverted most of Cisco's $35 billion cash out of the US to avoid paying US taxes. This is great for Cisco, but not so great for America. If all of our global companies would pay their US taxes, the corporate US tax rates could be much less, attracting and retaining more corporations to America. No one likes to pay taxes, but those taxes provide the freedom and environment in which a company like Cisco can thrive.
A great American leader would look out not only for his or her company, but for his or her country as well.

Name Withheld of CA 6:49PM November 18, 2009

A well deserved honor. I’ve been a customer, employee and vendor of Cisco over the last 20 years and have personally seen the transformation. Much credit goes to the leadership of Cisco for building such a strong DNA that is focused on technology that solves business problems in an ethical way.
At the center of this transformation is John Chambers. John is unique is his ability to understand technology transformation and to mobilize his team around this inflection point. He and his team were the first to grasp IP Telephony and what it would mean to the world. No product based technology company has executed consistently as well as Cisco over the last 25 years.
Lastly, I have had the pleasure of having numerous conversations with Mr. Chambers over the years and he has always been personable and thought provoking. It’s been a pleasure.

Pat Bodin of GA 8:49PM November 17, 2009

As a 10 year employee of Cisco, i can honestly say that there is no better honoree for the title of "Best Leader", than John Chambers. Mr. Chambers has successfully navigated our company through some of the most tumultuous times in economic history, whilst ensuring that our corporate culture still remained one where thoughts, ideas, and expression were considered assets to the success of the organization. Cheers to Mr. Chambers.
To Mr. Phillips point - a fundamental aspect of a leader is in his/her ability to build a good team, and motivate the people on his team (all of us) to be the very best we can be. I personally see Cisco's expansion and diversity as sure-fire way we will establish ourselves as a formidable force in the years to come.

John Trollinger of TX 5:16PM November 16, 2009

Leadership is about seeing the future before it occurs and investing to make it a reality. Leadership is about integrity and doing what is right instead of what is easy. Leadership is investing ahead of the curve and creating markets versus waiting and entering at the point of commoditization. Leadership is about being true to yourself and always believing that each new day brings with it the opportunity to improve. Cisco and Mr. Chambers are leaders!

Mike Peek of MO 3:23PM November 16, 2009