What changes to Cisco would you make if John Chambers hired you as a consultant for a year?

This is a great question that a customer asked me, it really made me think as to what I would do. Now I am assuming that I could make changes and would have full control to make them. So I have come up with a small list and I am hoping everyone will post your own list. I would really like to see what others are thinking.

1. I would fix the Cisco Certification Problem

    a. Every test would be hands on with a proctor; this would stop Gold Partners from using sales people, secretaries and others to take tests so they can keep their certification. Every certification from CCIE to account rep or sales training would be included.

    b. This solution would stop people from using exam cram, actual test, and other sites to pass certifications test.

    c. All Premier and Gold Level company renewal or certifications would require hands on testing for all specializations they are requesting to be certified on. They would need to have at least 3 people in each specialization such as VOIP, Security, Routing and Wireless set up, configure and troubleshoot lab gear. This will stop companies from just having test takers at their company and will provide better service to clients.

    d. Random testing for company employees used in certification testing, with would include lab test.

    e. Random search for employees used in Premier and Gold Audits, this will stop partners from hiring then firing employees for certifications just to keep their level. If this is seen with in 3 to 6 months the partner is dropped.

    f. To be a gold partner you need to have a CCIE in Voice, Security, Routing and Design. This will insure there is an expert in each area; this is why they are a Gold Partner.

    g. Make all CCIE Boot camps outlawed; this will bring the CCIE certification back to old days when people had to know what they were doing. The reason for this was that I know of 3 CCIE's who went to boot camps, lived in a basement for 6 months and passed the test on two tries. When asked they could not configure a VPN, PIX or talk to me about QOS like they should. If someone attends and it is found out, they will be stripped of their certification.

2. I would make one discount level for all partners.

    a. There would be a 10% margin on all equipment, with a deal registration is would be 30% off. This would really allow partners to make more than 1 or 2 points on deals unlike what they have to do now with the bidding wars that the Gold Partners and Catalog companies have started.

    b. Let's face it, who has ever purchased any Cisco gear at list or even 30% off? Most all customer get at least 40% from partners to win business. This would make more money for Cisco and all partners no matter what the level.

    c. Cisco can make the money up on the back end with rebates, VIP dollars to the different level of certification such as select, premier and gold. This would keep partners wanting different levels for their company.

    d. All purchases would come direct from Cisco, get rid of the distributers and that margin also. Cisco needs to go direct with everything and bring it all back in house.

3. I would have different Partner Summits for different level of Partners

    a. There needs to be a Cisco Partner Summit for Premier and Gold Partners and one for Select Partners.

    b. There is a big difference in small to mid size companies and then enterprise or large companies. Select Partners focus on SMB Companies and that would be a much different topic of discussion at a Partner Summit.

4. I would have a weekly Telepresence meeting with John Chamber and Susan Bostrom.

5. I would accelerate applications for Unified Communications on mobile phones.

    a. I am just getting tired of applications coming out for so few phones, this needs to be fixed if market share is going to be gained.

6. Lastly I would make Cisco a place where people want to work again.

    a. It seems people go to work for Cisco, leave after a year or two for more money at another company in engineering roles.

    b. Cisco is losing to many SME's to partners, customers and other companies.

    c. Just tired of every time I go to Cisco or call, there is someone new that I have to get to know or work with because someone else has left.

This is my small list; please feel free to post your list. This list has not been posted so all of the haters can post stupid and meaningless comments. Please just post your list and let's see what we can all come up with.

If you cannot post something nice, don't post anything at all.