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Recommendation
David Stauffer’s impressive new book seeks to explain why Cisco is one of the world’s most important companies. At the heart of the book - and perhaps the company - is the management style of Cisco CEO John Chambers, who once worked for IBM and Wang. The book illustrates how Chambers noted the problems at both of his former employers and resolved that they would never show up at Cisco. The author also covers Cisco’s famed acquisition strategy, and explains how the company targets employees, rather than profits, in its acquisition sights. Although the author seems enamored with the company, it’s tough to argue with his main points, especially when he cites other companies, such as Oracle and Microsoft, that have replicated Cisco strategies. getAbstract recommends this definitive and entertaining book as an insightful look into a pivotal new-economy company, and the strategies that got it to where it is today.
Take-Aways
About the Author
David Stauffer is a business writer who heads the corporate writing firm Stauffer Bury, Inc. His dozens of articles on business and management have appeared in Harvard Management Update, Across the Board, The Wall Street Journal and other business periodicals. He teaches business writing as an adjunct professor at Rocky Mountain College.
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