Barron’s has just released its list of the 30 Most Respected CEOs — and to the surprise of virtually no one, Cisco CEO John Chambers is one of them. After consulting with investors, analysts, executives and others, a group of Barron’s editors winnowed the field to 30 who stood out “in a year of devastating losses, plunging stock prices and endless scandal,” according to the publication.
The final list is made up of CEOs from around the world who are “doing outstanding jobs of keeping their companies out of trouble and on course,” Barron’s crowed, meaning they’ve exercised “conservative financial management, a strong focus on the customer and relentless innovation.”
About Chambers, the publication said:
During his tenure, Cisco has come to dominate the networking-equipment market-and then reached further into corporate America with forays into storage, security and Internet telephony. Last week Chambers made one of Cisco’s boldest moves yet, saying he would begin selling servers. That puts the company in competition with IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Sun Microsystems.
Barron’s states that one should not be fooled by Chamber’s down home, folksy West Virginia drawl:
Mr. Nice Guy is one of the shrewdest, most aggressive dealmakers in the tech sector.
Finally, the publication tipped its hat to Chambers’ — and Cisco’s — ability to prompt dramatic reaction to its moves from its largest competitors:
Some speculated that fear of Cisco accelerated IBM’s talks to acquire Sun Microsystems. Pushing IBM to defensively spend billions-now that is an impressive sign of respect.
Congratulations, John.
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