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Downtime
VC Gopalratnam, Vice President, Information Technology
and CIO Globalization, Cisco Systems
 TITLE:
Vice President, Information Technology and CIO Globalization
COMPANY: Cisco Systems
INDUSTRY VERTICAL: Information Technology
AGE: 46 years
FIRST JOB: Consultant in Payne Reimer Group, a startup
engineering firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio
TOTAL EXPERIENCE: 23 years
BIGGEST CAREER INFLUENCE: My first manager and mentor,
Dr. Karl Voelkel inculcated the value of professional ethics. Dr Guillermo Wille
taught me the value of technology. My current boss and Cisco CIO, Rebecca Jacoby
has influenced me her inclusive style of management, collaboration and respect
for meritocracy.
THE PERSON WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST: My wife who
is my friend, philosopher and guide. I would not be where I am today, without
her support and guidance, both personally and professionally.
YOUR SUCCESS MANTRA: Hard work—there is no substitute
for the same.
TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT: I am addicted to
my BlackBerry.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING THE MOST: Holidaying with
family.
YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT: My wedding day and the
birth of my children.
FAVOURITE MOVIE: Dirty Harry, Back to School, and
some old Indian films.
FAVOURITE BOOK: Dave Barry's books
YOUR OBSESSION: Outcome orientation- to me everything
needs to have a tangible outcome.
BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR: 20 years ago, I took upon
myself to build a skill-set that would encompass technology, quality, people
management, business acumen, sales focus, supply chain, profit & loss responsibilities-to
work toward a 'General Manager' role. I feel I have achieved that.
ONE THING YOU WANT TO CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF: I need
to take it easy and take adequate time to relax and rest.
ONE THING YOU WOULD NEVER WANT TO CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF:
Commitment to whatever I undertake.
BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: Don't worry about what
you cannot control—just focus on what you can and that will help you to
achieve the larger goal.
IF NOT A CIO YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN: A game warden in
Kenya or a travel and tourism minister somewhere.
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