WebEx Reviews

Pros

its a great product- something to be proud of. The people you work with treat each other with respect- its like one great big family.

Cons

upper management once Cisco took over really didn't understand or know what WebEx could do and really under estimated the people especially the CSM's that worked there. They had to lay off over 6500 people and I don't think they really knew how to do that. It seemed as if they kept all of the people with a 10% or lower and got rid of all of the people with a 10% or higher on their performance. Upper management never spoke to the right people. I believe everyone should be heard for a company to survive and not just manager or VIP's sometime the CEO has to start over to understand what the customers are looking for.

Advice to Senior Management

I would recommend that the higher ups take a closer look! Maybe start from the beginning and take a day or even a week in each position so they can get a better understanding of the the customers are looking for and really need and why they should be listened to.

Pros

Great people - Excellent product - Must have.

Cons

Very little advancement within Cisco

Advice to Senior Management

Promote from outside.

Pros

Name recognition on resume for future jobs

Cons

Poor management, uncertain future of company, layoffs looming

Advice to Senior Management

stop the clicks

Pros

a place not for hands-on people

Cons

highly politics. it's not "let's" do it". it's about "who" do it.

Advice to Senior Management

problem - the entire webEx depends on offshore resource

Pros

WebEx is being increasingly harmonized in to Cisco which can be a plus for those interested in the greater Cisco collaboration strategy.

Cons

WebEx is being increasingly harmonized in to Cisco which can be a negative for those interested in the feel of a fast-growing & niche-focused company since that is fading quickly under the Cisco culture.

Advice to Senior Management

The WebEx/Collaboration Software Group need to fight more for WebEx to have a more integral role in the greater Cisco collaboration strategy where more dollars & resourcres are invested in WebEx products.

Pros

When WebEx was purchased by Cisco, we knew there would be a culture shock (hardware meets software as a service). Cisco was very professional and had more people wearing ties and removed the WebExcess back in 2007. The training and exposure to the largest most integrated solutions challenged everyone and grew the most professional teams I've worked with to a new and higher levels.

Cisco has been also been another Pro as the integration and stability they have brought thru process and industry best practices in large deployments has been invaluable.

Cons

Some of the legacy systems like Oneview (custom service portal), Bliss (custom billing system) and fax document processing has held WebEx back for years. Cisco WebEx needs to implement and leverage more self-servicing tools like Sprints.com customer service portal and finish delayed projects like Oracle while also maintaining it's expert communication practices.

An additional Con is the current expectations set with customers and the major cut back. It will be nearly impossible for Cisco WebEx remaining staff to meet the new demand for implementation and deployment. At the end of Cisco's FY11 (July 30th 2011) there was a massive influx and transition type order to the Cisco Global Price List (typically partner oriented deals). The executive management made cuts based on financial needs and has really put the Cisco WebEx implementation and deployment specialists (aka Client Service Manager's) in a precarious position with very limited and very new specialist. Top partners like PGi, Intercall, Verizon, AT&T, INX and more will have to deploy, implement and service these accounts with little to no help.

Advice to Senior Management

Build some interface that partners and customers can benefit from. Do your best to weather the economy, face into the wind and take strong steps.

Pros

Good benefits
co-workers were very helpful and easy to work with overall
competitive compensation
Cisco acquisition opened doors into larger clients

Cons

WebEx is not growing as fast as competitors and losing market share
Management is more interested in appearing busy to justify existence by creating projects that do not impact the top or bottom line of the company.
Middle management is very insecure.

Pros

Free to use WebEx products.
Cisco's salary and benefit are competitive.

Cons

Totally no work life balance. Management expects you to work in the evening to synch with China developers. Sometimes I have to work until 11pm. But still need to go to office before 9:30am.
Lack of directions. WFH is not encouraged.
Multiple groups in the company and compete with each other with products targeting the same market.
Lack of experience in Product Marketing. Have no idea what customers want.
Only management favorites get rewarded.

Advice to Senior Management

More flexible work hours.
Improve the quality of PM staff.

Pros

flexible work hours
Access to Cisco resources

Cons

Generally, the management team has their act together, but my group's management is focused more on image than results. Bonuses and rewards are not

Advice to Senior Management

try to work on a coherent strategy

Pros

The products are the best. Sure, there is a lot of competition, but Webex is still the best.

The Boxborough office is top-notch. There's a cafe, plenty of customer meeting space, recycling, lots of clothing/community fundraising, and a very nice gym (which I should use- they seem to have lots of classes like spin and yoga, etc).

The coworkers are a good bunch of people- very team-like atmosphere. There isn't really anyone I don't "like" - there are lots of people with different interests, and they're all good people.

The management is strong as well- honest, straightforward, and experienced. There have been people promoted in the last year or so, and that is good to see.

Sure, sometimes you don't agree with them, but when you find a job where you agree 100% of the time with your boss, I want to know about it. The OD here is very experienced, and one of the smartest people I've ever worked for or with.

Overall company leadership is top-notch. HR is extremely fair. Employees are treated like adults.

Cons

It's in Boxborough. Just kidding- but that's it. Lots of us drive from New Hampshire or the North Shore, and it's a bit of a hike. Some people work out of Boston, which is good if you live further south.

It's a great company with lots of opportunity. Nobody's going to do your job for you- anywhere.

Advice to Senior Management

More "portfolio" trainings. Those give us ideas about broader opportunities, and help us build our own understanding of the options our customers have.