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  • August 2016
  • Case
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CEO Succession at Cisco (A): From John Chambers to Chuck Robbins

By: Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:24
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Abstract

A smooth transition from former CEO John Chambers to new CEO Chuck Robbins had put Cisco in a position of strength. Looking back, the board reflected on what they had done well and what they might have done differently, and pondered whether another company might be able to implement a similar CEO transition process. This case reviews the specific steps taken by the board of directors and other stakeholders during the selection process. Participants in the process included John Chambers, who was the company’s CEO at the time, the Cisco board of directors, Cisco’s human resources group, and the executive search firm Spencer Stuart. The process occurred in several stages, including an informal stage during which the board became familiar with candidates, followed by a 16-month formal process with goal-setting and clear definition of roles for all involved, various interactions with and evaluations of possible candidates, and voting.

Keywords

Information Technology; Management Succession; Technology Industry

Citation

Groysberg, Boris, J. Yo-Jud Cheng, and Annelena Lobb. "CEO Succession at Cisco (A): From John Chambers to Chuck Robbins." Harvard Business School Case 417-031, August 2016.
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About The Author

Boris Groysberg

Organizational Behavior
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Related Work

    • August 2016
    • Faculty Research

    CEO Succession at Cisco (B): Announcement Strategy

    By: Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb
    • August 2016
    • Faculty Research

    CEO Succession at Cisco (C): Chuck Robbins' First 100 Days

    By: Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb
    • May 2017 (Revised January 2018)
    • Faculty Research

    CEO Succession at Cisco (A), (B), & (C), and Cisco Systems: In Search of the Next CEO

    By: Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb
    • December 2017
    • Faculty Research

    CEO Succession at Cisco: Video Supplement

    By: Boris Groysberg and J. Yo-Jud Cheng
Related Work
  • CEO Succession at Cisco (B): Announcement Strategy By: Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb
  • CEO Succession at Cisco (C): Chuck Robbins' First 100 Days By: Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb
  • CEO Succession at Cisco (A), (B), & (C), and Cisco Systems: In Search of the Next CEO By: Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb
  • CEO Succession at Cisco: Video Supplement By: Boris Groysberg and J. Yo-Jud Cheng
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