Just saw that the Beat scheduled for 2/25/2026 was canceled for “leader training”. I guess the ELT is coaching them what to say for the upcoming layoff.
56 replies (most recent on top)
These leader-only meetings really show what Cisco thinks about employees.
@13c Cisco has done many hiring and travel freezes without a need to make a mass announcement that they are cancelling the Beat for a special leader meeting. You can't help but think something is beneath the surface, the most obvious of which is maybe a subtle hint that employees may want to make sure that resume is up to date.
@wt it was about hiring freeze and travel restrictions.
@y3 i sure noticed it.
my first thought was that the ALL of ELT should not be paid as a result. It is ultimately their responsibility to navigate this company. after supply chain issues that were a fallout from Covid, a rational person would think maybe 'what else could happen that may result in similar circumstance?" and then take the measures to ensure the path through is much easier. they did not and that is inexcusable. it seems that they learned a whole lot of nothing from that experience.
i do not know the numbers but i suspect the total amount of money the ELT makes would be better suited to helping improve margins vs being given to already extremely wealthy people who for most part should take 100% responsibility for not being prepared.
worst part is that in the likely case that another covid-like epidemic or pandemic hits, the deer in the headlights will be the move from ELT.
Yes, Q2 had an awesome top line, but didn’t you notice the 20% stock slide in the week after? They are under pressure from investors on margin. So, cuts are coming.
What was this leader meeting all about?
@ns I didn’t get any info regarding an enterprise wide hiring freeze? Maybe BU specific or maybe you’re full of s*it.
Meanwhile, Cisco just yesterday announced an enterprise wide hiring freeze. Plus, no travel unless it's a customer-facing meeting.
I feel a massive layoff coming.
Frans getting ready with new AI eye lashes supplied by G2's romantic fables...;)Liz ready to spill the beans on her new Gucci AI designed flip flops 🩴...stay tuned...for more unbelievable customer use cases from the Winter Olympics
SBG is expecting layoffs
@j5 TY!
@hv we got an email saying second half reward planning is not impacted by new budget constraints. Not sure timing on merit cycle but mid year bonus payout is March 13.
@f8 - actually had an XDR SE tell a customer that XDR could do everything Splunk ES could do, and do it better.
The PM for XDR sh*ts on Splunk nonstop. It’s not a surprise. He was fired from Splunk - it’s a personal vendetta at this point.
Do any of the leaders have context on this next half of the split-rewards cycle? I thought that next part was happening now-ish, but I feel like they have an excuse now to not follow up on it.
@er That’s cute, but no senior leadership and ELT will continue to travel. Then brag about it during BU all-hands and/or the Beat.
@fx I meant as an interviewer. if there's a hiring freeze and we're not gonna hire these candidates anyway, then I would much prefer not to get pulled into stupid coding challenges. not sure why recruiting is still pulling engineers in if that's the case.
@ep yeah same. Had my 4th round this morning. I emailed the recruiter and waiting to hear back.
Are all roles frozen? How long does a freeze last? /bayarea
“Leaders”
@er G2 spending the whole budget on blue suede jackets.
@dz if you work in SBG and really believe XDR is comparable to Splunk ED in features or value then you’re part of the problem.
If we’re truly in a season of 'cost discipline' and 'operational efficiency', maybe the ELT could lead by example and trade the luxury retreats for a Webex call?
how does the hiring freeze work? cuz I'm still getting scheduled for interviews
CX "high value" contractor here--just got notice that contract is ending 2 quarter early.
@ed That's more logic than the ELT is capable of. It's more like a game of darts or roulette..
@dj 52 weeks in a year, 26 letters in the alphabet. if your surname is A, enjoy your rewards between Jan1-Jan15, B Jan16-Jan30
@dr just stating the facts. Must have hit close to home if you’re that bent about it. Keep blaming middle management with your head in the sand. In 3 weeks you will be back here bi--hing about being LR’d.
@e0 gotta pump the numbers! 😆
It's truly ironic that cost cutting measures are so quickly being put in place just two weeks after reporting record high Q2 earnings!!!
Splunk underperformed because XDR reps are selling against it and boxing out Splunk reps.
Everyone knows it’s a problem and no one is doing anything about it.
lots of teams have been cut to the bone. it's time for a massive cut to directors on up
@dk Another leader here. I agree. They didn’t confirm or deny layoffs (ELT doesn’t share layoffs info before it happens), but they specifically called out underperformance in CX and Splunk, so expect larger “restructuring” and in those areas than others. But, in general, the message is to cut costs across the board. So, the way I see it is that all of our orgs are actively looking for ways to reduce costs, and letting people go is always an option that is considered.
Good luck to us all.
@dk oh yeah? Sound like a great leader with the fear mongering. I bet they could save some by cutting middle management bloat.
Leader here:
You are a fool if you think that layoffs aren’t coming. Underperforming BU’s and orgs with bloated opex, overlapping roles, or high-cost resources are already assembling lists and working with HR and legal to finalize them.
If you are a sales specialist role or any other overlay role that collects a commission on a deal just because your name is attached to it, without contributing any real work to the deal- better get your resume updated.
If you are in CX, and you are part of a large account team but contribute no measurable real value, bye bye.
If you are in Splunk, but you refuse to integrate and cooperate with the larger Cisco machine, pack your bags and ride your Pwny out of here. Pressure is on all the leaders from first line up to weed you out.
Travel restrictions and hiring freezes wont change things enough. Winter is coming.
lol I’m just trolling but at this point I’m expecting them to split the split rewards cycle again.
@dg What exactly did they say? Yes that LRs are coming?
no LRs mentioned until end.
although they were saying difficult times million times, I would say anything other than LRs is manageable. they have so hardened everyone by constant LRs over years that cost cutting via other meanings does not hurt as much now :-)
what is Cisco
nothing about layoffs yet.
- memory prices going through the roof
- no hiring
- no travel
- less discount for our customers
I'm sure I'm like many at this point...I should care but I don't.
@b8 True that!
They will not talk about layoffs in the leader meeting. Not sure how it became leader training lol