Cisco's CEO on staying ahead of technology shifts

Cisco Systems Inc. has been successful because it has focused on how to anticipate changes in the market. The company maintains a start-up mentality, and addresses market shifts in three ways. Cisco will either develop the new technology in-house, make an acquisition, or do a "spin-in" - bring in developers and engineers to work on a given project and then move them outside the firm. Since its dial-up beginnings, Cisco has moved through five transitions: mobile, video, cloud computing, application-centric computing, and Internet of things. In this latest shift, Cisco launched an engineering group brand to address timely solutions. Boldness in change is key, as is a culture that fosters success amidst unpredictability.