On the 2nd of October 2019, Cisco was named the #1 World’s Best Workplace! Listen to Henrik Parnemann (top picture, back row, 5th from your right) and Andres Jimenez Nanhekhan (bottom picture, second from your left), CSAP alumni, talk about how they were able to make a difference and create the amazing Cisco culture we are all so proud of. From Time to Give that took them on amazing meaningful projects in Naples and Nepal to Fun Funds that had them plastic fishing in the Amsterdam canals. One recurring theme, the tremendous support you get from Cisco and your peers to work on projects you truly believe in and make a difference.

In this episode, Khal invites two of his friends and fellow CSAP’ers, Sara Ortega Jimenez (Spanish ASR) and Galal Amr (Egyptian ASR) to talk about personal brand for people that are early in career. They share their first impressions of participating in Cisco’s yearly sales meeting, called Impact, that happens in Las Vegas and give advice on how best to show up and stand out at this unique event. As a social media expert, Galal also gives pointers on how to create a strong presence while Sara shares how she connects her own personal brand to what she is most passionate about: Women in IT.

In this last episode of the first season, Khal talks to Thando (ASR from South Africa) and Leonardo (ASE from Italy moving to Dubai) about lots of different things. The importance of becoming friends before colleagues comes up as well as getting to know each other even before their first day at CSAP. They reminisce about their first impressions on how well organized the first day was and how incredibly diverse the group was. They wish they had more time to talk about inclusion and diversity! Of course the CSAP culture is discussed. It is understood that it’s all about growth and that the relationship with their manager is a two-way value interchange underscored by a strong culture of continuous feedback. Some fun personal stories are shared about dissecting mosquito guts (yes, you heard it) and how being loud in Amsterdam is not always welcome.

In this episode, our host, Khal, talks with Cristina (Moldovan ASR) and Titus (South African ASE) on their big move to Amsterdam.

They talk about their excitement of joining CSAP, accepting and embracing this life changing decision and preparing to move to a new city. They talk about the typical challenges of moving, how Cisco and the CSAP community help and the critical success factors of thriving in a new environment. They also give great general advice on dealing with a competitive housing market and Amsterdam’s particularities. The episode would of course not be complete without bicycle anecdotes!

Petr talks to Nicolas Cervigni, an ASE (Associate Systems Engineer) manager and Phuong Nguyen, an ASE to get the Engineering perspective.

They talk about the ASE profile and how it isn’t limited to graduates with a strictly engineering background. It is open for anyone with a technical background who is curious and passionate about technology. They then cover some very useful tips to be successful at the Assessment Center and finish with a day in the life of an ASE/SE as well as general advice.

Enjoy!

In this episode, Petr Gusakov, our host, uncovers what the secret sauce is to succeeding in the Assessment Center and how to be successful as an ASR. He invites Orsi Szucs, our EMEAR Talent Lead for Global Virtual Sales and Wessel Van Roij, an ASR entering the Dutch market to have a candid conversation about it!

Host, Khal Khalaf and guests, Andrea Unanue and Sandro Fasser, take you through what it was like preparing for their Assessment Centers on their path to Cisco's Sales Associate Program. If you're interested in applying for CSAP, this is an episode you definitely don't want to miss!

Get to know our hosts for Season 1 of Tales From The CSAP Floor, Petr Gusakov and Khalid Khalaf. Entitled "Ready. Set. CSAP." Through a series of in-depth interviews with some of our Associates, Petr and Khalid shine a spotlight on what it takes to join Cisco's Sales Associate Program.

Host, Petr Gusakov sits down with Morongwa Waifo and Alexander Depypere to discuss their journey through the application process of Cisco's Sales Associate Program. Learn about how Morongwa and Alex found Cisco, and why their unique backgrounds made them ideal candidates for CSAP.