Is Cisco VP Ron Dekker violating Cisco's conflict of interest policy (COI)?

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Is Cisco VP Ron Dekker violating Cisco's conflict of interest policy (COI)?

I mean, how do Cisco's channel partners benefit when Cisco's VP of Enterprise Business - Ron Dekker, is directly competing AGAINST Cisco's channel partners for both enterprise deals in digital signage and collaboration?

Hummelstown, PA: Wed, 7/24/13 - 11:59pm View comments

Former long time Cisco executive (10-years), Andy Miller, unexpectedly resigned this month as CEO of the unified collaboration vendor, Polycom.

According to Polycom's press release:

"Mr. Parker replaces Andrew Miller who resigned as Chief Executive Officer, President and a member of the Board of Directors on July 19, 2013, after the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors found certain irregularities in Mr. Miller's expense submissions, for which Mr. Miller accepted responsibility. The amounts involved did not have a material impact on the Company's current or previously reported financial statements for any period, nor did they involve any other employees."

View Mr. Miller's detailed separation agreement from Polycom.

Meanwhile, it appears to me that Cisco's vice president for new enterprise business, Ron Dekker, is violating Cisco's conflict of interest policy (COI).

How so?

Well first according to Cisco's job description for Dekker:

"As Vice President, New Enterprise Business at Cisco Canada, Ron Dekker is responsible for leading his team's sales and support activities, maintaining superior customer satisfaction levels, and growing Cisco's enterprise business within its largest accounts. He and his team work to ensure customer access to Cisco's most strategic and expert resources."

And secondly because Cisco's conflict of interest policy (COI) clearly states:

Avoid Conflicts of Interest

Doing what's right for Cisco is important. It means avoiding situations that create — or appear to create — a conflict between my personal benefit and Cisco's interests.

What's a conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest occurs when an employee's personal activities or relationships interfere with his or her objectivity in doing what is best for the company. Conflicts of interest, in fact or appearance, can also decrease shareholder value and expose Cisco to legal and/or reputational liability. Cisco employees are expected to diligently avoid such conflicts.

Thirdly, it's my personal opinion that Cisco VP Ron Dekker is violating Cisco's conflict of interest policy (COI) by serving as Chairman of the Board of digital signage vendor X2O Media which competes directly AGAINST Cisco's Digital Media Suite.

Furthermore, Dekker's also violating Cisco's conflict of interest policy (COI) by serving as a Board Director of collaboration vendor Esna Technologies which competes directly AGAINST Cisco's collaboration channel partners.