Do You Use Technology To Improve Your Work-life Balance? Do You:

Empowering The Internet Generation

Q & A with María José Sobrini, internet business solutions manager and head of women’s initiatives, Cisco Spain

Q: Are you surprised by the results of the EuropeanPWN poll, “Do you use technology to improve your work-life balance?”

A: I’m not surprised because it’s an international poll but I doubt that many Spanish companies support the use of technology for remote working for ALL their employees. Everyday tasks (shopping, admin activities) are mainly done at home, but not that many people “work” at home. This is mainly because big organisations still only afford top executives this luxury. And, more importantly, although things are changing very quickly, many companies still feel that you have to be physically in the office to work effectively.

Q: How does Cisco use technology to help its employees improve their work-life balance?

A: Cisco empowers employees to do their work in the place where they think they can do it best, at that specific moment. Cisco doesn’t care were we are, and it gives us, without distinction of professional level, all the needed tools to be productive based on IP technology, web applications and mobile devices. This means we can connect ourselves to the necessary applications using any type of device (phone, PC, mobile) wherever we are, be it at home, in a customer’s office, or in an airport. This is great, especially for women, as we can manage our time much better.

Imagine I have a very important meeting with a customer tomorrow and I have to prepare the presentation with my colleagues. In the morning, I have a ‘confcall’ with colleagues from around the globe while I’m at home. In the afternoon, I have a video-conference (also from my laptop at home) with the expert in San Jose, fetch my kids at school, and then download videos and case studies from Cisco’s internal website. At night, I discuss the presentation with my colleagues remotely, at home. It’s great! I have coordinated work with family responsibilities, prepared an excellent presentation, and guaranteed a successful meeting! This is what Cisco expects.

Q: Are there any interesting developments that will make a difference to senior women in business?

A: By providing all these technologies, Cisco facilitates work-life balance for both men and women. This is important as men take an increasingly active role in family life. The biggest innovation is ‘telepresence’. This great technology will help you feel, physically, that remote meetings with people around the globe, are being held in a unique meeting room. It’s incredible and we’ll be able to use it very soon, both internally, with customers, and partners.

Q: Some say PDAs have upset work-life balance. What rules do you set for using this technology?

A: In my first year at Cisco, I was constantly connected to the system, including weekends, even though I had nothing urgent to do. If I wasn’t connected, I felt I was missing something. You have to structure your “connected” time. Cisco only expects me to be the best at my job, be productive, a team-player and the best in the market. But Cisco doesn’t ask me to put my family aside or forget about my holidays, free time or hobbies. It’s a matter of organising your time, responsibilities and priorities but this philosophy requires employees to be responsible, productive and accountable. Some colleagues think they’d be unproductive at home so it requires a mental shift to get the best from technology, flexibility, and mobility, both for the company and the employee. This needs to be accompanied by clearer and more specific performance management.

Q: Should governments legislate on flexi working?

A: Governments should lead by example by introducing flexi work for their own employees. But I believe that it’s a decision each corporation must make. Big companies like to learn from each other, so large and effective companies can be a great example for other corporations (even public sector) to adopt the same strategies to create a more productive workforce. At Cisco, we show our customers how we use technology internally; what our HR directions are; how we establish objectives and measure results; how we push collaboration and team-work; and how mobile and remote working can support a very productive environment, and a happy and balanced workforce.

Q: Do you have any other advice?

A: Companies must define a global e-strategy (this is simple and quick to implement) that includes technology, cultural change at all levels, HR directions and performance management. Employees must understand that this is a win-win strategy: if your company gives you many facilities, you must give back accordingly to ensure you are one of the best employees, working at one of the best companies.

For more information about telepresence, visit www.telepresence.com