An interview in The Wall Street Journal reported Cisco's stock has become the darling of Wall Street with Cisco CEO John Chambers celebrating the occasion by treating 20 company executives to a fishing trip to Alaska (obviously, there's no need for expensive janitorial service in the great Alaskan outdoors).
However, when the interview hinted Chambers might stay at Cisco for another decade or more, I couldn't help but think a very, very cold Alaskan style chill must be going through the executive and employee ranks of Cisco, especially since it was just a mere 2 months ago that Chambers' suggested he would retire in 3 to 5 years.
Official comment from Cisco:
Brad -
You have mischaracterized the editorial in this weekend's Wall Street Journal in your headline today. The section from the Journal article in question reads:
------------------------------------------------------------
"And it’s why he’s reorganized Cisco around small, fast-moving product groups—called councils and boards—and sent them off in hot pursuit of markets in full expectation of every one turning into a billion-dollar business. Unrolling all of that may take a decade or more, and John Chambers intends to be around to see it happen. He certainly has the genes for it: His father, 84, remains his most trusted adviser."
------------------------------------------------------------
The author was making a comment about John's health and not his tenure as Cisco CEO. Last year, Mr. Chambers committed to the board for an additional term as Chairman and CEO for 3-5 years.
Note: Obviously my error for not accurately comprehending that the statement:
John Chambers intends to be around to see it happen
- is not the same as -
John Chambers intends to be around to make it happen.
My bad and I apologize to Network World readers for not accurately comprehending the statement - Brad Reese.
Perhaps giving more cold chills down the spines of Cisco employees was the interview statement:
"Meanwhile, Cisco has had no major layoffs during this economic downturn and made no salary cuts."
Am sure the employees at Cisco's headquarters in San Jose, California are pleased with Chambers's no major layoffs accomplishment as well as Chambers' policy of quietly outsourcing Cisco's U.S. jobs to India.
What's your take, should Cisco executives and employees be excited that John Chambers hinted he may stay at Cisco for another decade or more?
Am I wrong to feel a cold chill in the air?
Should John Chambers never retire so that he can remain CEO and/or Chairman of Cisco for the rest of his life?
![]()
BradReese.Com Cisco Refurbished - Services that protect, maintain and optimize Cisco hardware
Contact: Brad Reese | Twitter: http://twitter.com/BradReese

Brad Reese cofounded BradReese.Com Cisco Refurbished, which enables affordable Cisco networks globally by assuring customer satisfaction with guaranteed one year warranties on both Cisco Repair as well as Refurbished Cisco.
Don't be shy, contact Brad Reese online or call him at 646-827-1130.