Collaboration at #CLUS, Day 2: Innovation and Inspiration

How do you know if you’re getting the most out of CLUS? A simple indicator: If your feet don’t hurt and your step-counting device of choice isn’t smoking, you’re not trying hard enough.

And Tuesday in Orlando has drawn to a close. It was another busy day in the wonderful world of networking technology at what some call “summer camp for nerds.”

Technology Keynote

Executive Vice President David Goeckler kicked off the technology keynote with a focus on intent-based networking. He described it as “powered by intent, informed by context.” The concept sounds great for networks – and it’s probably good guidance for life in general if you think about it in a broader context.

As much as focus as there is on cloud, I like how he brought things back down to earth (so to speak):

“Cloud is a seminal transition in the tech industry. But not everything is going to move to the cloud, at least not all at once.” David Goeckler

One of the elements people like most about the technology keynote is the demos. And there was plenty to share. Admittedly, I’m a bit of a cheerleader for collaboration, but the other stuff is good too. Check out the demos at the following links:

Sachin Gupta, SVP Enterprise Networks: Cisco DNA Center Assurance

Tom Edsall, SVP and CTO of Data Center: Network Assurance Engine

Susie Wee, SVP and CTO of Cisco DevNet: The DevNet Effect

Jonathan Rosenberg, VP and CTO of Collaboration, Collaboration Innovation

Cisco DevNet is the resource community that supports the software developers who build integrations with Cisco products. Or the aspiring developers. It’s where you’ll find all sorts of resources about building integrations for Webex and our collaboration products. And there’s more to it than that. This year there’s plenty to celebrate as DevNet just reached 500,000 registered members.

“The power of all of you and the networks you build and run is truly powering the world.” Susie Wee

Jonathan closed out the demos with some great examples of the latest innovations with meetings. The bottom line: Cisco wants to make meetings simple and enjoyable.

It’s all about the experience. If your online meeting technology makes it frustrating or difficult to actually join a meeting, how can you focus on the topic, the conversations, and the other attendees? With consistent interfaces and controls, the big join green button, and choices of video views, we’re focusing on the experience. When the technology experience is great, you can focus on the reason for the meeting itself. Sounds a lot more productive, doesn’t it?

Big Ideas Theater

The Cisco Live team added a new Big Ideas Theater track to the program. It’s really all about balance. These sessions are focused more on personal development, leadership, and ideas that can help you evolve your career – or refresh your perspective. If you’re here, it’s definitely worth checking out.

One of today’s speakers was Grant Korgan, a seemingly fearless adventurer, nanoscientist, and pro athlete. He experienced a major spinal cord injury and is working toward, as he puts it, 120% recovery. In the meantime, he’s sled-skiied to the South Pole and broken a world record kayaking around Lake Tahoe. He’s probably one of the most positive people I’ve heard speak.

“I believe it’s human to fall down, but magic happens when we get back up.” Grant Korgan

Cisco Networking Academy

The NetAcad program has changed the lives of over 8 million students in 180 countries by providing education, technical training, and career mentorship over 20 years. What kind of impact can technical training really make? A big one. A great example is Ntombi “Soso” Luningo in South Africa. Watch her story:

https://youtu.be/Fz4MX2PwUS8

Until tomorrow!

#FOMO: If you missed yesterday’s post, fear not, you can go back in time to Day 1 at CLUS.

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post? Follow me live on Twitter as @ciscokima.