Supplement | HBS Case Collection | August 2016

CEO Succession at Cisco (B): Announcement Strategy

by Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb

Abstract

Supplements the (A) case (417-031). This case supplement describes Cisco’s communications strategy around the CEO announcement, which focused on controlling the narrative and avoiding leaks. The strategy included both internal and external processes aimed at introducing the new CEO to employees and the general public, respectively. Externally, the process unfolded without media leaks and with a modest stock market reaction.

Keywords: Management Succession; Communication Strategy; Technology Industry;

Language: English Format: Print 12 pages Purchase

Citation:

Groysberg, Boris, J. Yo-Jud Cheng, and Annelena Lobb. "CEO Succession at Cisco (B): Announcement Strategy." Harvard Business School Supplement 417-032, August 2016.

Related Work

  1. Teaching Note | HBS Case Collection | May 2017 (Revised January 2018)

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

    Boris Groysberg, J. Yo-Jud Cheng and Annelena Lobb

    Teaching Note for HBS Nos. 417-031, 417-032 and 417-033. This note can also be used with "Cisco Systems: In Search of the Next CEO," HBS No. 416-027.

    Citation:

    Groysberg, Boris, J. Yo-Jud Cheng, and Annelena Lobb. "CEO Succession at Cisco (A), (B), & (C), and Cisco Systems: In Search of the Next CEO." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 417-076, May 2017. (Revised January 2018.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsPurchase Related

  2. Supplement | HBS Case Collection | December 2017

    CEO Succession at Cisco: Video Supplement

    Boris Groysberg and J. Yo-Jud Cheng

    Excerpts of videotaped class visits and an interview with former Cisco CEO John Chambers about Cisco’s CEO succession planning process. Topics include Chambers’ reflections on the process; the roles of the incumbent CEO, board of directors, executive search, and the executive chairman; internal vs. external CEOs; rotations and development; managing turnover; and organizational culture. The video is divided into several related sections. The first video segment, “Reflections on the Process,” contains Chambers’ general reflections on Cisco’s entire succession process. The instructor can either show just the first video segment to explore a wide range of topics, or select several of the subsequent sections to focus on specific themes. Designed to accompany the “CEO Succession at Cisco” case series (417-031; 417-032; 417-033) and “Cisco Systems: In Search of the Next CEO” (416-027).

    Keywords: CEO succession; CEO Turnover; management succession; top management teams; corporate governance; board of directors; Organizational change; strategic human resource management; strategy; high technology; Management Succession; Managerial Roles; Corporate Governance; Organizational Culture; Change;

    Citation:

    Groysberg, Boris, and J. Yo-Jud Cheng. "CEO Succession at Cisco: Video Supplement." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Supplement 418-705, December 2017.  View Details
    CiteView DetailsPurchase Related

About the Author

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Boris Groysberg
Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration
Organizational Behavior

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