Cisco’s advocacy group, Cisco Insider Advocates, brings our clients collectively and supplies a approach for them to make highly effective connections, increase their skilled and private networks, and be taught from prime consultants of their discipline. One in every of our objectives with our advocacy group is to deepen relationships with our clients. Our Q&A collection permits us to shine a highlight on a few of our most passionate advocates as we be taught extra about their tales and backgrounds.
Right now, we have now one of many friendliest faces in the neighborhood becoming a member of us for a chat. I’m excited to welcome Rob Taylor from Prosperity 24/7.
Welcome, Rob! It’s so nice to speak with you at the moment. Let’s kick issues off by studying a bit of bit about who you’re.
I dwell within the stunning island of Jersey, Channel Islands. It’s the southernmost gem within the English Channel’s crown, nestled simply 19 km west of the Cotentin peninsula of France.
I’m married with two grown kids, and my household is every part to me. We’re all about these household holidays and spontaneous adventures—the extra lively, the higher!
I’m not a professional, however you’ll usually catch me on the padel tennis court docket or making an attempt my luck at badminton. Let’s simply say my expertise are a piece in progress, nevertheless it’s all in regards to the enjoyable, proper?
One factor you may rely on with me is my glass is without end half full. I imagine in making probably the most out of each second. So, right here’s to embracing life’s twists and turns with a smile and brightening every day with a smile!
The place did you begin your profession in IT? And, what skilled resolution or alternative helped lead you to your present function?
I used to be launched to IT in 2001, when conventional enterprise phone techniques (PABXs) started transitioning towards IP telephony. I used to be a fish out of the water; simply 4 years prior, I used to be a budding electrician, shifting from apprentice to electrician, at an offshoot of Jersey Electrical energy Firm (JEC).
Then, JEC created a small splinter firm named Jersey Electrical energy Telecommunications; I used to be chosen to retrain as a phone techniques engineer. Throughout my time at JET, I took on many duties, gaining expertise throughout gross sales, procurement, accounting, and finally, administration. It was probably the most difficult and enjoyable time of my profession at that time.
5 years later, I used to be provided a senior engineering place with Jersey Telecom. Inside the 12 months, I used to be appointed as senior account supervisor for company companies. Sadly, after 4 years, I noticed I used to be dropping my strengths as an engineer, and particularly in staying present on expertise and instruments, which was my ardour.
Destiny stepped in, and I used to be launched to the world of Cisco by a pair legendary consultants. These consultants grew to become nice mates, and I’ve the pleasure of working in partnership with one in all them to at the present time. A few of you might have heard of him, CIA Rockstar Legend Simon Watkins. (Learn extra about Simon on this Cisco Insider Advocates Q&A!)
How has partnering with Cisco helped you in your function?
Partnering with Cisco has grow to be the best sport changer in my profession so far, enabling me to upskill and, even higher, to leverage experiences in engineering, gross sales, advertising, and procurement to grow to be one in all only a few consultants throughout the Channel Islands to ship a compelling worth to service suppliers and digital integrators alike. By dedicating hours of learning and self-development, I used to be in a position to start deploying and designing sturdy community options for companies all through the Channel Islands. All credit score to Cisco and their pre-sales and technical specialists who I’ve labored with on the extra superior options, simply one of many many “olive branches” Cisco affords to assist its companions.
Quick ahead a decade, and I’m now collectively heading up the community options workforce inside an incredible digital integrations enterprise, Prosperity 24/7, a Premier Integrator for Cisco. We now maintain two Cisco specialisations: the Networking Specialisation and the Environmental Sustainability Specialisation. We’re particularly pleased with the latter since sustainability performs a vital function inside our enterprise.
Prosperity 24/7 have a devoted Surroundings & Sustainability focus workforce that works towards lowering the impression companies have on the setting. We associate with native companies which can be aligned and devoted to lowering pointless waste and preserving our planet’s sources to realize this purpose. It’s truthful to say that almost all respected companies want to associate with organizations working towards a zero emissions baseline and as such, new alternatives and features of income have opened. An instance is when a enterprise relocates to new premises; Prosperity 23/7 takes care of their outdated premises by managing the recycling and repurposing of their outdated community infrastructure, from the racks by means of to the customers desks, computer systems, and screens.
Let’s transfer on to our buyer advocacy group. It appears such as you not too long ago joined this system and are already climbing up within the ranks as an Advocate Rising Star. How would you describe Cisco Insider Advocates to those that aren’t accustomed to it?
I joined Cisco Insider Advocates in 2023. I instantly noticed the worth on this group and the way, by means of gamification, I might get pleasure from studying about new services and products that provoke constructive conversations with shoppers, whereas constructing factors to redeem on future purchases by means of the Cisco Retailer. Becoming a member of and enjoying an lively function inside CIA actually is a win-win state of affairs, and I genuinely suggest everybody be a part of.
What made you wish to be a part of, and the way has being part of Cisco Insider Advocates impacted you each professionally and personally?
Over the previous couple of years, a couple of colleagues and mates joined the group and had been clearly having fun with the expertise and the plentiful challenges they participated in. Not least, they loved the problem of rising by means of the ranks collectively.
After I joined the group, I too started collaborating within the challenges and located lots of them to be each inspiring and insightful. Assembly a couple of of the CIA members at Cisco Dwell introduced a direct reference to them, particularly after we had been discussing our shared approaches to expertise and creating enterprise. I fashioned new and valued friendships, and I’m trying ahead to the following time we meet, whether or not that’s at one other Cisco Dwell or after we go to one another’s nation.
On an expert stage, Cisco Insider Advocates is proving to be the proper vacation spot for self-development and encouragement to step outdoors of your consolation zone. A tremendous workforce helps Cisco Insider Advocates, they usually’re excited to help and encourage advocates to develop themselves and in flip, their careers. To succeed in the upper ranks, advocates can full challenges that may contain writing on-line critiques, talking at a Cisco occasion, and so forth. These could also be out of the strange for a lot of engineers and consultants; nevertheless, with Cisco Insider, you’re given the chance to excel and develop your worth at your personal tempo. Many organizations see these newfound expertise as constructive attributes and justification for a possible wage increase, or the rationale to decide on one candidate over one other.
Let’s transfer on to Cisco Dwell 2024 Amsterdam held this previous February. You met a few of your friends from the group and members of Cisco’s Buyer Advertising and marketing workforce for the primary time! What did you get pleasure from most about assembly everybody at Cisco Dwell this 12 months?
Cisco Dwell 2024 in Amsterdam was nothing wanting superb. Assembly friends from throughout the group felt like I used to be seeing outdated mates that I hadn’t but met in particular person. What an amazing bunch they had been!
Regardless that we’re new mates, residing in disparate jurisdictions, we might collaborate and share concepts and experiences with one another. It’s protected to say that the Insider group has enabled like-minded consultants, strange guys who share a thirst for all times, to attach and make a constructive distinction.
I can be staying in contact, and we’re trying ahead to the following time we reconnect in particular person. Cisco Dwell 2025, right here we come!
Throughout the convention, we provided rather a lot of enjoyable actions on the Cisco Insider sales space. Amongst them, which was your favourite and why?
There was a plethora of enjoyable actions accessible throughout Cisco Dwell 2024, all of which had been actually nice! What stands out for me most was the panel session (and wine tasting!) held within the sales space. The occasion featured one of many world’s Masters of Wine, of which there are lower than 500 in whole. All of us realized an amazing deal and loved the newfound style explosions through the wine sampling (the very best bit).
My due to all of the workforce for his or her work and energy in making the entire expertise memorable.
Earlier than I allow you to go, I’ve saved the very best questions for final! Do you’ve got any recommendation for anybody attending Cisco Dwell for the primary time? What are your greatest tricks to them to assist them put together, each earlier than and through the convention?
- Ensure that to hitch the Cisco Insider Advocacy group and climb these ranks.
- Be sure you e book Cisco Dwell early and start scheduling your occasions earlier than they refill.
- Ensure that to provide your self time in between periods to recoup—they’re going to be lengthy days!
- Make the most of the free Cisco examination and start getting ready as early as you may.
- Take the time to socialize with like-minded mates that you just haven’t met but.
- Select your lodge and site correctly.
…and we’d love to complete with three issues you may’t dwell with out?
That’s straightforward (nevertheless it’s going to sound very boring!)
No.1 My household & mates (dishonest right here)
No.2 My well being
No.3 My zest for all times—adventures, enjoyable, ethical compass, and spontaneity
It’s been a pleasure to speak with you, Rob! Thanks for being a valued Cisco Insider and for becoming a member of us!
Learn extra advocate interviews.
You would possibly get pleasure from this interview with Wouter Hindriks.
Be part of us!
For our clients who’ve already joined our Cisco Insider Advocates group, say hi there to Rob in case you haven’t met but. And in case you’re a Cisco buyer however aren’t a group member, think about becoming a member of. You’ll be capable of:
- Join with friends in a gamified, on-line group
- Have a chance to satisfy with Cisco’s executives
- Share your suggestions, questions, and greatest practices
- Get entry to ‘insider’ content material and sources
- Develop your skilled and private model
- Amplify your organization’s success story with Cisco expertise
Able to get began?
Head over to the Cisco Insider Advocates group and say hi there!
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