Since it was based in 1984, Cisco Systems’ mission has been to make use of know-how to vary the way in which we work, dwell, be taught and play. The firm’s community, knowledge middle, collaboration and safety merchandise have allowed organizations to fully reimagine the way in which they function. However, 2020 was a 12 months like no different in our lifetime, and the world was on the lookout for somebody to step up and assist us navigate these difficult occasions. One firm that did, was Cisco, which shifted its mission assertion from the beforehand talked about tag line to “Powering an Inclusive Future.”
Cisco embraces a broader societal mandate
It’s vital to know what Cisco means when it talks about an inclusive future. In this case, it’s a world the place everybody has equal alternative. Cisco’s earlier “Work, Live, Learn and Play” mission did have a component of inclusiveness to it, as a result of the democratization of the web introduced new alternatives to individuals. For instance, for the primary time ever, the web let ladies in international locations the place they might not work be employed in different international locations. Its new mission takes this idea of inclusiveness and makes it core to every thing the corporate does.
Corporate social accountability (CSR) has been a core element of how Cisco operates for many years however the pandemic introduced change. When COVID-19 turned the world the other way up, Cisco was higher positioned than most to proceed supporting prospects, companions, and workers as they transitioned to distant environments. During this time of disaster, the main IT and networking vendor launched a number of free presents and trials for its Webex and safety applied sciences; allotted $2.5 billion in financing to assist preserve companies operating by means of its Business Resiliency Program; and prioritized delivering vital infrastructure to first responders and healthcare prospects. Cisco additionally donated $53 million in money and private protecting tools (PPE) to help essentially the most weak. This included $10 million to Destination: Home to help residents of Santa Clara County in California who misplaced revenue from COVID-19.
Social justice is entrance and middle at Cisco
Despite a shift in priorities final 12 months, Cisco stayed dedicated to CSR and stepped it up within the space of social justice. As a matter of truth, social justice is entrance and middle with Cisco management, all the way in which as much as Chairman and CEO Chuck Robbins. The firm usually conducts sincere “check-ins” with its workers and is vocal about combating systemic racism. Cisco’s social actions align with the United Nations’ Global Compact rules, which the seller signed in 2001 and helps at the moment.
These actions are outlined within the 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Impact Report, encompassing every thing from Cisco’s range packages to neighborhood outreach to defending the atmosphere. There’s an excessive amount of to cowl from the 150-page report in a single publish, however the firm is making strides in driving inclusiveness.
Here are 5 key highlights of how it’s enabling an inclusive future.
1. Impacting the Community as a Company:
Cisco developed an built-in digital platform known as the Community Impact Portal, which homes…
