LEADERSHIP STRATEGY
“ We have a responsibility to go into STEM programmes and help kids even in junior schools to look at technology like coding . The future will be around applications and AI . We need to do more with industries and universities . It ’ s a challenge in Asia , but we ’ re doing as much as we can ”
— Vicki Batka , President , Partnerships , APAC and Japan , Cisco
36 collaboration tools in and work with government agencies on how people can work remotely .” As a global business , Cisco brings many elements together to find the best solution for any given partner . “ We work across a huge ecosystem . We can take best practise , for example from Japan in automotive manufacturing , and be a piece of the solution .”
As Batka highlights , approximately 95 % of Cisco ’ s businesses in the region work through partners and it ’ s her job to maintain these relationships . “ It ’ s all about connecting people and influencing people to represent Cisco , rather than selling it all direct . Customers are so much smarter and more prepared now . They ’ ve done their homework and they ’ re looking for true business partners . Cisco has been around for a long time in Asia , we ’ re looking at two or three decades of relationships and we can build on that legacy .”
The Cisco Partner Executive Exchange event , involving Cisco ’ s top 30 partners , took place in Singapore this year . Annually , CEOs meet with Cisco leadership to discuss the future . “ We ’ re not just talking about what we ’ re doing at Cisco , but what we need
JULY 2018