Cisco Empowers Women in ICT through Employee Resource Group

Emma Okonji

Cisco Systems Inc has continually recognised the need for more diversity and female participation in the traditionally male high-technology industry. The technology giant has programmes and resources to help women develop their skills as individual contributors, managers, and executives, including an internal employee resource group dedicated to the development of women, and the group is called the Cisco Connected Women (CCW).

Over the last 10 years the CCW at Cisco, has grown to over 38 chapters, offering more than 4000 global members opportunities for development, networking and generating new business. CCW contributes to a strategic effort to enhance Cisco’s success in attracting, developing and retaining talented female employees. Cisco Systems Nigeria also participates in the CCW, allowing female Cisco employees to meet and discuss their involvement in the ICT industry and how the participation of women is on the positive rise.

Speaking about female participating in the technology industry, Country Manager Cisco Nigeria, Olakunle Oloruntimehin, said: “In the context of a male-dominated industry, Cisco is making intent-based decisions to promote inclusiveness, diversity and overall female participation in the industry.”

CCW Nigeria has over 15 employees as its members, which accounts for 50 per cent of employees in Cisco’s Nigeria office. The CCW Nigeria activities are strategically executed by core team of volunteers lead by the CCW leads, with the guidance of executive sponsors and thought leaders. The volunteers develop programs in line with the Cisco’s business guidelines, employee network directions and needs as per the local culture.

As a high technology company which believes in the power of the ‘human network’, Cisco recognises the importance of a very diverse work force and the value of employee mobility. In addition, in line with its inclusive organisational culture, Cisco has a number of employee networks to support the development, and growth opportunities of staff.

The Cisco Sales Associates Program (CSAP) is one of such opportunities. It is the most highly coveted early-in-career development programs designed specifically for top university graduates from around the world who aspire to become the next generation of sales leaders at Cisco.