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CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
September 18, 2003
DEAR CISCO SYSTEMS SHAREHOLDER:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Cisco Systems, Inc., which will be held at the
San Jose McEnery Convention Center in Ballroom A, located at 150 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, California on Tuesday,
November 11, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. You will find a map with directions to the meeting on the outside back
cover of the Proxy Statement.
Details of the business to be conducted at the meeting are given in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
and the attached Proxy Statement.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please vote as soon as possible. You may vote by mailing a completed proxy
card, by telephone or over the Internet. Voting by any of these methods will ensure your representation at the meeting.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
John T. Chambers
President and Chief Executive Officer
San Jose, California
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
In order to ensure your representation at the meeting, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy as promptly as
possible and return it in the enclosed envelope (to which no postage need be affixed if mailed in the United States) or
submit your proxy and voting instructions over the Internet or by telephone. Please refer to the section entitled
"Voting by Mail, via the Internet or by Telephone" on page 2 of the Proxy Statement for a description of these
voting methods.
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CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
170 W. Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134-1706
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held November 11, 2003
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Cisco Systems, Inc. will be held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in
Ballroom A, located at 150 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, California on Tuesday, November 11, 2003, at 10:00 a.m.
Pacific Time for the following purposes:
| 1. |
To elect eleven members of Cisco's Board of Directors;
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| 2. |
To approve an amendment and restatement of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, including an increase of 100,000,000
shares authorized for issuance under the plan and a 5-year extension of the term of the plan;
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| 3. |
To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Cisco's independent auditors for the fiscal year
ending July 31, 2004;
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| 4. |
To vote upon two proposals submitted by shareholders, if properly presented at the meeting; and
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| 5. |
To act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements
thereof.
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The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. The record date
for determining those shareholders who will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and at any adjournments
thereof is September 12, 2003. The stock transfer books will not be closed between the record date and the date of the
meeting. A list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for inspection at Cisco's principal
executive offices.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please vote as soon as possible. You may vote by mailing a completed proxy
card, by telephone or over the Internet. For detailed information regarding voting instructions, please refer to the
section entitled "Voting by Mail, via the Internet or by Telephone" on page 2 of the Proxy Statement. You may revoke a
previously delivered proxy at any time prior to the meeting. If you decide to attend the meeting and wish to change your
proxy vote, you may do so automatically by voting in person at the meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mark Chandler
Secretary
San Jose, California
September 18, 2003
CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, California 95134-1706
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
These proxy materials are provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Cisco
Systems, Inc., a California corporation, for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on
November 11, 2003, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in Ballroom A, located at 150 West San Carlos Street, San
Jose, California, and at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. These proxy materials were first mailed on or
about September 18, 2003 to all shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
The specific proposals to be considered and acted upon at the meeting are summarized in the accompanying Notice of Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. Each proposal is described in more detail in this Proxy Statement.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION
Voting
Only shareholders of record of Cisco common stock on September 12, 2003, the record date, will be entitled to vote at the
meeting. Each shareholder of record will be entitled to one vote on each matter for each share of common stock held on
the record date. On the record date, there were 6,947,855,826 shares of common stock outstanding. A majority of the
outstanding shares of common stock must be present or represented by proxy at the meeting in order to have a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be treated as shares present for the purpose of determining the presence of a
quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. In the election of directors, the eleven nominees receiving the
highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. Proposal Nos. 2 through 5 require the approval of the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present or represented by proxy and voting at the meeting, together with
the affirmative vote of a majority of the required quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes can have the effect of
preventing approval of a proposal where the number of affirmative votes, though a majority of the votes cast, does not
constitute a majority of the required quorum. If the persons present or represented by proxy at the meeting constitute
the holders of less than a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock as of the record date, the meeting may be
adjourned to a subsequent date for the purpose of obtaining a quorum. Votes will be tabulated by the inspector of
election appointed for the meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker
non-votes.
Recommendations of the Board of Directors
Cisco's Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of the nominees of the
Board of Directors (Proposal No. 1), FOR the amendment and restatement of the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal No. 2), FOR the ratification of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Cisco's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2004 (Proposal No. 3) and
AGAINST the two proposals submitted by shareholders (Proposal Nos. 4 and 5).
Voting by Mail, via the Internet or by Telephone
Shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names may vote by mailing a completed proxy card, via the Internet
or by telephone. Instructions for voting via the Internet or by telephone are set forth on the enclosed proxy card. To
vote by mailing a proxy card, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed prepaid and addressed envelope, and
your shares will be voted at the meeting in the manner you direct. In the event that you return a signed proxy card on
which no directions are specified, your shares will be voted FOR each of the nominees of
the Board of Directors (Proposal No. 1), FOR the amendment and restatement of the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal No. 2), FOR the ratification of the appointment
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Cisco's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2004 (Proposal No. 3),
AGAINST the two proposals submitted by shareholders (Proposal Nos. 4 and 5) and in the
discretion of the proxy holders as to any other matters that may properly come before the meeting. You may revoke or
change a previously delivered proxy at any time before the meeting by delivering another proxy with a later date or by
sending written notice of revocation of your proxy to Cisco's Secretary at Cisco's principal executive offices before the
beginning of the meeting. You may also revoke your proxy by attending the meeting and voting in person, although
attendance at the meeting will not in and of itself revoke a valid proxy that was previously delivered.
If your shares are registered in the name of a bank or brokerage firm you will receive instructions from your holder of
record that must be followed in order for the record holder to vote the shares per your instructions. Many banks and
brokerage firms have a process for their beneficial holders to provide instructions over the phone or via the Internet.
If Internet or telephone voting is unavailable from your bank or brokerage firm, please complete and return the enclosed
voting instruction card in the addressed, postage paid envelope provided. Shareholders who elected to receive the 2003
Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Shareholders over the Internet will be receiving an e-mail on or about September 29,
2003 with information on how to access shareholder information and instructions for voting.
Proxy Solicitation Costs
Cisco will bear the entire cost of this solicitation of proxies, including the preparation, assembly, printing, and
mailing of this Proxy Statement, the proxy, and any additional solicitation material that Cisco may provide to
shareholders. Copies of solicitation material will be provided to brokerage firms, fiduciaries and custodians holding
shares in their names that are beneficially owned by others so that they may forward the solicitation material to such
beneficial owners. In addition, Cisco has retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc. to act as a proxy solicitor
in conjunction with the meeting. Cisco has agreed to pay that firm $14,000, plus reasonable out of pocket expenses, for
proxy solicitation services. The original solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by solicitation by
telephone, telegram and other means by directors, officers and employees of Cisco. No additional compensation will be
paid to these individuals for any such services.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General
The names of persons who are nominees for director and their positions and offices with Cisco are set forth in the table
below. The proxy holders intend to vote all proxies received by them for the nominees listed below unless otherwise
instructed. The authorized number of directors is presently twelve. Each of the current directors has been nominated for
and has elected to stand for reelection, except for Director Carleton S. Fiorina, who has decided not to stand for
reelection, but who shall remain on the Board of Directors through the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors may fill
the future vacancy upon identification of a qualified candidate.
Proxies may not be voted for more than eleven directors. In the event any nominee is unable or declines to serve as a
director at the time of the meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee, if any, who may be designated by the
Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors is not aware that
any nominee is unable or will decline to serve as a director. The eleven nominees receiving the highest number of
affirmative votes of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting will be elected to the Board of Directors to serve until
the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Shareholders may not
cumulate votes in the election of directors.
| Nominees |
Positions and Offices Held with Cisco |
| Carol A. Bartz |
Director |
| Larry R. Carter |
Senior Vice President, Office of the President and Director |
| John T. Chambers |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
| Dr. James F. Gibbons |
Director |
| Dr. John L. Hennessy |
Director |
| Roderick C. McGeary |
Director |
| James C. Morgan |
Director |
| John P. Morgridge |
Chairman of the Board |
| Donald T. Valentine |
Vice Chairman of the Board |
| Steven M. West |
Director |
| Jerry Yang |
Director |
Business Experience of Nominees
Ms. Bartz, 55, has been a member of the Board of Directors since November 1996. Since April 1992, she has served as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Autodesk, Inc. Prior to that, she was employed by Sun Microsystems,
Inc. from September 1983 to April 1992. Ms. Bartz also currently serves on the board of directors of BEA Systems, Inc.,
Network Appliance, Inc. and The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Mr. Carter, 60, has been a member of the Board of Directors since July 2000. He joined Cisco in January 1995 as Vice
President, Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. In July 1997, he was promoted to Senior
Vice President of Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. In May 2003, upon his retirement as
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, he was appointed Senior Vice President, Office of the President. Prior to joining
Cisco, he was employed by Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. as Vice President and Corporate Controller. Mr. Carter currently
serves on the board of directors of eSpeed, Inc. and QLogic Corporation, and is on the Board of Trustees for Loyola
Marymount University.
Mr. Chambers, 54, has been a member of the Board of Directors since November 1993. He joined Cisco as Senior Vice
President in January 1991 and was promoted to Executive Vice President in June 1994. Mr. Chambers was promoted to
President and Chief Executive Officer of Cisco as of January 31, 1995. Prior to joining Cisco, he was employed by Wang
Laboratories, Inc. for eight years, where, in his last role, he was the Senior Vice President of U.S. Operations.
Dr. Gibbons, 71, has been a member of the Board of Directors since May 1992. He is currently Professor (Research) of
Electrical Engineering at Stanford University. He was the Reid Weaver Dennis Professor of Electrical Engineering from
1983 to 2003, and has been a professor at Stanford since August 1957. He was Dean of the Stanford University School of
Engineering from 1984 to 1996.
Dr. Hennessy, 50, has been a member of the Board of Directors since January 2002. He has been President of Stanford
University since September 2000. He served as Provost of Stanford from June 1999 to August 2000, Dean of the Stanford
University School of Engineering from June 1996 to June 1999, and Chair of the Stanford University Department of Computer
Science from September 1994 to March 1996.
Mr. McGeary, 53, has been a member of the Board of Directors since July 2003. Mr. McGeary served as Chief Executive Officer
of Brience, Inc. from July 2000 to July 2002. From April 2000 to June 2000 he served as a Managing Director of KPMG
Consulting LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of BearingPoint, Inc. (formerly KPMG Consulting, Inc.). From August 1999 to
April 2000 he served as Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of BearingPoint, Inc. From January 1997 to August 1999
he was employed by KPMG LLP as its Co-Vice Chairman of Consulting. Prior to 1997 he served in several capacities with KPMG LLP,
including audit partner for technology clients. Mr. McGeary is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. degree in
Accounting from Lehigh University. Mr. McGeary also serves on the board of directors of BearingPoint, Inc., DigitalThink, Inc.
and GRIC Communications, Inc.
Mr. Morgan, 65, has been a member of the Board of Directors since February 1998. He has been Chairman of the Board of
Applied Materials, Inc. since 1987. From 1977 to April 2003 he served as Chief Executive Officer of Applied Materials,
Inc. He was President of Applied Materials, Inc. from 1976 to 1987. He was previously a senior partner with WestVen
Management, a private venture capital partnership affiliated with Bank of America Corporation.
Mr. Morgridge, 70, joined Cisco as President and Chief Executive Officer and was elected to the Board of Directors in
October 1988. Mr. Morgridge became Chairman of the Board on January 31, 1995, upon his retirement from the positions of
President and Chief Executive Officer of Cisco.
Mr. Valentine, 71, has been a member of the Board of Directors since December 1987 and was elected Chairman of the Board
in December 1988. He became Vice Chairman of the Board on January 31, 1995. He has been a general partner of Sequoia
Capital since 1974. Mr. Valentine currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Network Appliance, Inc.
Mr. West, 48, has been a member of the Board of Directors since April 1996. Mr. West served as Chief Operating Officer of
nCUBE Corporation, a provider of on-demand media systems, from December 2001 to July 2003. Prior to joining nCUBE, he was
the President and Chief Executive Officer of Entera, Inc. from September 1999 until it was acquired by Blue Coat Systems,
Inc. (formerly CacheFlow Inc.) in January 2001. From June 1996 to September 1999, he was President and Chief Executive
Officer of Hitachi Data Systems, a joint venture computer hardware services company owned by Hitachi, Ltd. and Electronic
Data Systems Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. West was at Electronic Data Systems Corporation from November 1984 to June
1996.
Mr. Yang, 34, has been a member of the Board of Directors since July 2000. He is a founder of Yahoo! Inc., and since
March 1995 has been an executive of Yahoo! Inc. and has served as a member of its board of directors.
Board Committees and Meetings
During Cisco's fiscal year ended July 26, 2003, the Board of Directors held six meetings. During this period, all of the
directors attended or participated in more than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of
Directors and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which each such director
served, except that while Mr. Chambers attended 100% of Cisco's Board of Directors meetings during the 2003 fiscal year
he did not attend certain Cisco Acquisition Committee meetings because he was attending to other company business, and
his total attendance at Board of Directors and committee meetings in the aggregate was less than 75%. Mr. Chambers was
briefed, both before and after meetings, on matters covered at the Acquisition Committee meetings he was unable to attend.
Cisco has five standing committees: the Acquisition Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Management
Development Committee, the Investment/Finance Committee and the Nomination and Governance Committee. Each of these
committees has a written charter approved by the Board of Directors. A copy of each charter can be found under the
"Investor Relations" section of our website at www.cisco.com.
Additionally, a copy of the charter for the Audit Committee is attached hereto as Appendix A. The members of the
committees are identified in the following table.
| Director |
Acquisition Committee |
Audit Committee |
Compensation and Management Development Committee |
Investment/Finance Committee |
Nomination and Governance Committee |
| Carol A. Bartz |
X |
|
Chair |
|
Chair |
| Larry R. Carter |
|
|
|
X |
|
| John T. Chambers |
Chair |
|
|
|
|
| Carleton S. Fiorina |
|
|
|
|
X |
| Dr. James F. Gibbons |
|
|
X |
|
X |
| Dr. John L. Hennessy |
|
|
|
|
|
| Roderick C. McGeary |
|
X |
|
|
|
| James C. Morgan |
|
|
X |
Chair |
|
| John P. Morgridge |
X |
|
|
X |
|
| Donald T. Valentine |
X |
|
|
X |
|
| Steven M. West |
|
Chair |
|
X |
|
| Jerry Yang |
|
X |
|
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|
The Acquisition Committee reviews acquisition strategies and opportunities with management, approves certain acquisitions
and investment transactions and also makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. This committee held seven meetings
during the last fiscal year.
The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the financial information which will be provided to shareholders and
others, the systems of internal controls, which management and the Board of Directors have established, the performance
and selection of independent auditors, and Cisco's audit and financial reporting processes. This committee held ten
meetings during the last fiscal year. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. McGeary is an "audit committee
financial expert" as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K. Mr. McGeary and each of the other members of this
committee is an "independent director" as defined in Rule 4200 of the Marketplace Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
The Compensation and Management Development Committee's basic responsibility is to review the performance and development
of management in achieving corporate goals and objectives and to assure that Cisco's senior executives are compensated
effectively in a manner consistent with Cisco's strategy, competitive practice, and the requirements of the appropriate
regulatory bodies. Toward that end, this committee oversees all of Cisco's compensation, equity and employee benefit
plans and payments, including the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan. This committee held six meetings during the last fiscal
year. Each of the members of this committee is an "independent director" as defined in Rule 4200 of the
Marketplace Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and an "outside director" as defined
in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Investment/Finance Committee reviews and approves Cisco's global investment policy, reviews minority investments,
fixed income assets and insurance risk management policies and programs, oversees Cisco's stock repurchase programs, and
also reviews Cisco's currency, interest rate and equity risk management policies. This committee is also authorized to
approve the issuance of debt securities, certain real estate acquisitions and leases, and charitable contributions made
on behalf of Cisco. This committee held four meetings during the last fiscal year.
The Nomination and Governance Committee is responsible for recommending to the full Board of Directors candidates for
election to the Board of Directors. This committee held three meetings during the last fiscal year. This committee
considers nominees proposed by shareholders. To recommend a prospective nominee for the Nomination and Governance
Committee's consideration, shareholders should submit the candidate's name and qualifications to Cisco's Secretary in
writing to the following address: Cisco Systems, Inc., Attn: Secretary, 170 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, California
95134, with a copy to Cisco Systems, Inc., Attn: General Counsel at the same address. Each member of this committee is an
"independent director" as defined in Rule 4200 of the Marketplace Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
Director Compensation
During the 2003 fiscal year, non-employee directors were each paid a $32,000 annual retainer fee for serving on the Board
of Directors, except that Mr. McGeary, whose period of board service did not commence until July 15, 2003, was paid
$10,667. During the 2003 fiscal year, non-employee directors were also eligible to participate in the Discretionary
Option Grant Program in effect under the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan and to receive periodic option grants under the
Automatic Option Grant Program in effect under the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, and directors who were also employees of
Cisco were eligible to receive options under Cisco's 1996 Stock Incentive Plan and to participate in Cisco's Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, 401(k) Plan and Professional and Leadership Incentive Plan.
On November 19, 2002, the date of the last Annual Meeting of Shareholders, each of the following non-employee directors
reelected to the Board of Directors received an option grant under the Automatic Option Grant Program for 15,000 shares
of common stock with an exercise price of $13.66 per share: Ms. Bartz, Ms. Fiorina, Dr. Gibbons, Dr. Hennessy, Mr.
Morgan, Mr. Valentine, Mr. West and Mr. Yang. The shares subject to these options vest in two equal annual installments
upon the completion of each year of board service over this period. Mr. McGeary received an initial automatic option
grant under the Automatic Option Grant Program for 30,000 shares upon his appointment to the Board of Directors on July
15, 2003, with an exercise price of $18.51 per share. The shares subject to this option vest in four equal annual
installments upon the completion of each year of board service over this period. The exercise price for each option is
equal to the closing selling price per share of common stock on the grant date. Each option has a term of nine years
measured from the grant date, subject to earlier termination following the optionee's cessation of board service. Each
option is immediately exercisable for all of the shares underlying the option; however, any shares so purchased that
remain unvested at the time of optionee's cessation of board service will be subject to Cisco's right to repurchase, at
the option exercise price paid per share. Shares underlying the options vest immediately in full upon certain changes in
control or ownership of Cisco or upon the optionee's death or disability while a member of the Board of Directors.
In July 2003, based upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Management Development Committee and based on
competitive data, the Board of Directors adopted changes to the cash and equity compensation to be paid to members of the
Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors effective as of November 11, 2003. These changes were adopted
in order to bring the compensation packages of Cisco's board members more in line with compensation paid to directors of
comparable companies, recognize the increased workload and responsibilities of board and committee members in recent
years, and enable Cisco to attract qualified directors when needed. The new board compensation will be as follows:
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each non-employee director will receive an annual retainer of $75,000, the chair of the Audit Committee will
receive an additional annual retainer of $25,000 and the chair of the Compensation and Management Development
Committee will receive an additional annual retainer of $10,000;
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each non-employee member of each standing committee will receive an additional fee of $2,000 per meeting
attended; and
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each new non-employee director will receive an initial stock option grant for 50,000 shares, and each continuing
non-employee director will receive an annual stock option grant for 20,000 shares. |
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the election of each of
the nominees listed herein.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Cisco's shareholders are being asked to approve an amendment and restatement of Cisco's Employee Stock Purchase Plan,
which will effect the following changes: (i) increase the maximum number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance
over the term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan by 100,000,000 shares, (ii) extend the term of the plan from January 3,
2005 to January 3, 2010 and (iii) provide more flexibility with regard to the administration of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
The Employee Stock Purchase Plan offers eligible employees the opportunity to acquire a stock ownership interest in Cisco
through periodic payroll deductions that will be applied towards the purchase of Cisco common stock at a discount from the
then current market price. The primary purpose of the amendment and restatement is to ensure that Cisco will have a sufficient
reserve of common stock available under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to provide eligible employees of Cisco and its
participating affiliates with the continuing opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in Cisco through participation in a
payroll deduction-based employee stock purchase plan.
The Employee Stock Purchase Plan was originally adopted by the Board of Directors in December 1989 and approved by Cisco's
shareholders in January 1990. In October 1996, the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan, a sub-plan of the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, was established to facilitate the offering of stock ownership interests to employees residing outside
the United States. In September 2003, the Board of Directors adopted the amendment and restatement of the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, which is the subject of this Proposal.
The following is a summary of the principal features of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated.
This summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of all the provisions of the Employee Stock Purchase
Plan. Any shareholder who wishes to obtain a copy of the plan may do so by written request to the Secretary at Cisco's
headquarters in San Jose, California.
Administration
The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is currently administered by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of
the Board of Directors. Such committee, acting as Plan Administrator, has full authority to adopt administrative rules
and procedures and to interpret the provisions of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. All costs and expenses incurred in
plan administration are paid by Cisco without charge to participants.
Securities Subject to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Including the 100,000,000 share increase for which shareholder approval is sought under this Proposal, 321,400,000 shares
of common stock have been reserved for issuance over the term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The shares may be made
available from authorized but unissued shares of Cisco's common stock. The reserved shares will also be used to fund
stock purchases under the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and any shares issued under the International
Employee Stock Purchase Plan will reduce, on a share-for-share basis, the number of shares available for subsequent
issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In the event of any change to Cisco's outstanding common stock, such as
a recapitalization, stock split or similar event, appropriate adjustments will be made to the Employee Stock Purchase
Plan and to each outstanding purchase right.
Purchase Periods and Purchase Dates
Shares of common stock will be offered under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan through a series of purchase periods, each
with a maximum duration of twenty-four (24) months. At present, shares are offered under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
through a series of overlapping purchase periods, each with a duration of twenty-four (24) months. Purchase periods
currently commence on the first business day of January and July each year, and each consists of a series of successive
six (6) month purchase intervals. These intervals run from the first business day of January until the last business day
of June each year and from the first business day of July to the last business day of December each year. Purchases
currently occur on the last business day of June and December each year. At present, open purchase periods under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan automatically restart if the closing selling price per share of common stock at the
beginning of a new purchase period is lower than that at the beginning of the open purchase period.
Eligibility and Participation
Currently, any individual who is employed on a basis under which he or she is expected to work more than 20 hours per
week for more than five (5) months per calendar year in the employ of Cisco or any participating parent or subsidiary
corporation (including any corporation, which subsequently becomes such at any time during the term of the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan) is eligible to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Individuals employed outside the United
States are subject to similar eligibility restrictions, unless prohibited by the laws of the jurisdiction in which they
are employed.
Eligible employees may join a purchase period at the start of that purchase period. At present, eligible employees may
join a twenty-four (24) month purchase period on the first business day of January or July.
As of September 12, 2003, 156,895,159 shares of common stock had been issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and
164,504,841 shares would be available for future issuance, assuming approval of the 100,000,000 share increase, which
forms part of this Proposal. As of September 12, 2003, Cisco estimates that approximately 34,000 employees, including 9
executive officers, were eligible to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Purchase Price
The purchase price of the common stock acquired on each purchase date will be no less than 85% of the lower of (i) the
closing selling price per share of common stock on the date the twenty-four (24) month purchase period begins or (ii) the
closing selling price per share of common stock at the end of the related six (6) month purchase interval.
The closing selling price of the common stock on any relevant date under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be deemed
to be equal to the closing selling price per share on such date on the Nasdaq National Market. On September 12, 2003, the
closing selling price per share of common stock determined on such basis was $20.66 per share.
Payroll Deductions and Stock Purchases
Each participant may authorize periodic payroll deductions in any multiple of 1% (up to a maximum of 10%) of his or her
eligible earnings each purchase period. The accumulated deductions will automatically be applied on each purchase date to
the purchase of whole shares of common stock at the purchase price in effect for that purchase date. Participants are
permitted to make other approved contributions prior to a purchase date in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions where payroll
deductions are prohibited by law. For purposes of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, eligible earnings include base salary,
bonuses, commissions and overtime pay.
Special Limitations
The Employee Stock Purchase Plan imposes certain limitations upon a participant's right to acquire common stock,
including the following:
|
Purchase rights may not be granted to any individual who owns stock (including stock purchasable under any
outstanding purchase rights) possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of
stock of Cisco or any of its affiliates.
|
|
A participant may not be granted rights to purchase more than $25,000 worth of common stock (valued at the time
each purchase right is granted) for each calendar year in which such purchase rights are outstanding.
|
|
No participant may purchase more than 22,500 shares of common stock on any one purchase date.
|
|
An executive officer subject to the short-swing profit restrictions of the federal securities laws may not
purchase more than 4,320,000 shares of common stock over the term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. |
Termination of Purchase Rights
The participant may stop contributions to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan at any time, and his or her accumulated
payroll deductions will, at the participant's election, either be refunded immediately or applied to the purchase of
common stock on the next scheduled purchase date. The participant's purchase right will immediately terminate upon his or
her cessation of employment for any reason other than death or permanent disability. Any payroll deductions that the
participant may have made for the purchase period in which such cessation of employment occurs will be refunded and will
not be applied to the purchase of common stock. Should the participant's employee status cease by reason of death or
permanent disability, then such individual (or the representative of his or her estate) may elect to have the
participant's accumulated payroll deductions either refunded or applied to the purchase of common stock on the next
scheduled purchase date.
Shareholder Rights
No participant will have any shareholder rights with respect to the shares covered by his or her purchase rights until
the shares are actually purchased on the participant's behalf. No adjustment will be made for dividends, distributions or
other rights for which the record date is prior to the purchase date.
Assignability
No purchase rights will be assignable or transferable by the participant, except by will or the laws of inheritance
following a participant's death.
Change in Control
In the event Cisco is acquired by merger or sale of all or substantially all of Cisco's assets or outstanding voting
stock, all outstanding purchase rights will automatically be exercised immediately prior to the effective date of such
acquisition. The purchase price will generally be equal to 85% of the lower of (i) the closing selling price per share of
common stock on the participant's entry date into the purchase period in which such acquisition occurs or (ii) the
closing selling price per share of common stock immediately prior to the effective date of such acquisition. In addition,
in accordance with the principles of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Plan Administrator may create special
purchase periods or special purchase dates for individuals who become employees in connection with the acquisition of
another company or cease to be employees in connection with the disposition of any portion of Cisco or its subsidiaries.
Share Proration
Should the total number of shares of common stock to be purchased pursuant to outstanding purchase rights on any
particular date exceed the number of shares available for issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan at that time,
then the Plan Administrator will make a pro-rata allocation of the available shares on a uniform and nondiscriminatory
basis, and the payroll deductions of each participant, to the extent in excess of the aggregate purchase price payable
for the common stock allocated to such individual, will be refunded.
Amendment and Termination
The Employee Stock Purchase Plan will terminate upon the earlier of (i) January 3, 2010, assuming approval of the
extension of the term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which forms a part of this Proposal, or (ii) the date on which
all shares available for issuance thereunder are sold pursuant to exercised purchase rights.
The Board of Directors may at any time alter, suspend or discontinue the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. However, the Board
of Directors may not, without shareholder approval, (i) increase the number of shares issuable under the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, (ii) alter the purchase price formula so as to reduce the purchase price or (iii) modify the requirements
for eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the principal United States Federal income taxation consequences to Cisco and participants
subject to U.S. taxation with respect to participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. This summary is not intended
to be exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any city, state, or foreign jurisdiction in which a
participant may reside.
The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an "employee stock purchase plan" within the meaning of
Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under such an arrangement, no taxable income will be recognized by a
participant, and no deductions will be allowable to Cisco, upon either the grant or the exercise of the purchase rights.
Taxable income will not be recognized until either there is a sale or other disposition of the shares acquired under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan or in the event the participant should die while still owning the purchased shares.
If a participant sells or otherwise disposes of the purchased shares within two (2) years after his or her entry date
into the purchase period in which such shares were acquired or within one (1) year after the actual purchase date of
those shares, then the participant will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the amount
by which the closing selling price of the shares on the purchase date exceeded the purchase price paid for those shares,
and Cisco will be entitled to an income tax deduction, for the taxable year in which such disposition occurs, equal in
amount to such excess. The participant also will recognize a capital gain to the extent the amount realized upon the sale
of the shares exceeds the sum of the aggregate purchase price for those shares and the ordinary income recognized in
connection with their acquisition.
If a participant sells or disposes of the purchased shares more than two (2) years after his or her entry date into the
purchase period in which the shares were acquired and more than one (1) year after the actual purchase date of those
shares, the participant will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the lower of (i) the
amount by which the closing selling price of the shares on the sale or disposition date exceeded the purchase price paid
for those shares or (ii) fifteen percent (15%) of the closing selling price of the shares on the participant's entry date
into that purchase period. Any additional gain upon the disposition will be taxed as a long-term capital gain. Cisco will
not be entitled to an income tax deduction with respect to such disposition.
If a participant still owns the purchased shares at the time of death, his or her estate will recognize ordinary income
in the year of death equal to the lower of (i) the amount by which the closing selling price of the shares on the date of
death exceeds the purchase price or (ii) fifteen percent (15%) of the closing selling price of the shares on his or her
entry date into the purchase period in which those shares were acquired.
Non-U.S. Income Tax Consequences
The income taxation consequences to participants and Cisco (or its foreign subsidiaries) with respect to participation in
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan vary by country. Generally, participants are subject to taxation at the time of
purchase. The employing foreign subsidiary may be entitled to a deduction in the tax year in which a participant
recognizes taxable income, provided the subsidiary reimburses Cisco for the cost of the benefit conferred under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Plan Benefits
The table below shows, as to each of Cisco's executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table of the Executive
Compensation and Related Information section of this Proxy Statement and the various indicated groups, the number of
shares of common stock purchased under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan during the 2003 fiscal year, together with the
weighted average purchase price paid per share.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Transactions
| Name and Position |
Number of Purchased Shares |
Weighted Average Purchase Price |
John T. Chambers
President and Chief Executive Officer, Director |
0 |
|
Mario Mazzola
Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer |
1,909 |
|
Larry R. Carter
Senior Vice President, Office of the President and Director
|
1,909 |
|
Richard J. Justice
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Field Operations
|
1,909 |
|
Randy Pond
Senior Vice President, Operations, Systems and Processes
|
1,909 |
|
|
All current executive officers as a group (9 persons)
|
16,042 |
|
|
All current directors other than executive officers as a group (10 persons)
|
0 |
|
|
All participating employees, including current officers who are not executive officers, as a group (27,740 persons)
|
23,015,141 |
|
New Plan Benefits
The benefits to be received by Cisco's executive officers, directors and employees as a result of the proposed amendment
and restatement of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are not determinable, since the amounts of future purchases by
participants are based on elective participant contributions. No purchase rights have been granted, and no shares of
common stock have been issued, with respect to the 100,000,000 share increase for which shareholder approval is sought
under this Proposal.
Shareholder Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of Cisco present or represented and voting at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders, together with the affirmative vote of a majority of the required quorum, is required for
approval of the 100,000,000 share increase and the extension of the term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to January
3, 2010. If you own shares through a broker, you must instruct your broker how to vote in order for your vote to be
counted on this proposal. Should such shareholder approval not be obtained, then the 100,000,000 share increase will not
be implemented and the term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will not be extended by 5 years to January 3, 2010.
However, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will continue to remain in effect until the earlier of (i) the date the
remaining share reserve under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is issued or (ii) January 3, 2005.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors believes that the amendment and restatement of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is necessary in
order to provide employees with the continuing opportunity to acquire an equity interest in Cisco as an incentive for
them to remain in Cisco's service. For this reason, the Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the
amendment and restatement of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
General
Cisco is asking the shareholders to ratify the Audit Committee's appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Cisco's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2004. In the event the shareholders fail to ratify the
appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider this appointment. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit
Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent auditing firm at any time during the
year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in Cisco's and its shareholders' best interests.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has audited Cisco's consolidated financial statements annually since Cisco's 1988 fiscal year.
Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the meeting and will have the opportunity to
make a statement if they desire to do so. It is also expected that they will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following is a summary of the fees billed to Cisco by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services rendered
for the fiscal years ended July 26, 2003 and July 27, 2002:
| Fee Category |
Fiscal 2003 Fees |
Fiscal 2002 Fees |
| Audit Fees |
|
|
| Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
| Tax Fees |
|
|
| All Other Fees |
|
|
| Total Fees |
|
|
Audit Fees. Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of Cisco's consolidated
financial statements and review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and
services that are normally provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or
engagements.
Audit-Related Fees. Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to
the performance of the audit or review of Cisco's consolidated financial statements and are not reported under "Audit
Fees." These services include employee benefit plan audits, accounting consultations in connection with acquisitions, attest
services that are not required by statute or regulation, and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting
standards.
Tax Fees. Consists of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
These services include assistance regarding federal, state and international tax compliance, tax audit defense, customs
and duties, mergers and acquisitions, and international tax planning.
All Other Fees. Consists of fees for products and services other than the services reported above. In fiscal
2003, these services included expatriate relocation coordination services provided to Cisco employees on international
job assignments, translation of filings and other miscellaneous services. In fiscal 2002, these services included
management consulting services on economic and forecast modeling, which did not involve information systems design or
implementation, and other miscellaneous services. There were no management consulting services provided in fiscal 2003.
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors
The Audit Committee's policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent
auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services.
Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or
category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The independent auditors and management are required
to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditors in
accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The Audit Committee may also
pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as Cisco's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2004.
PROPOSAL NO. 4
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
Ann Lau, P.O. Box 861132, Los Angeles, CA 90086-1132, a beneficial owner of 1,931 shares of Cisco common stock, has
notified us that she intends to present the following proposal at the meeting:
The stockowners recommend that the board prepare a report to the stockowners on Cisco hardware and software products that
can (a) allow monitoring, interception, keyword searches, and/or recording of the Internet, or (b) act as a
"firewall" by which selected Internet traffic can be prevented from reaching its addressee outside the country
of origin or by which downloading of information from selected sites outside the country of origin is prevented.
This report would be limited to hardware and software provided to government agencies and state-owned
communications/information technology entities in any country. The countries shall be identified, but only a total of
each such product in each country shall be reported. The report shall cover each fiscal year of Cisco, starting with
fiscal 2004. The first report shall include a cumulative provision of such products from 1995 to the date of the report.
If Cisco has entered into any contracts by which it has pledged to keep secret from its stockowners the existence or
content of such contracts for the above hardware or software products to the above customers, then the required reports
shall not need to include those products for those countries, but shall need to note that secrecy-against-stockowners
contracts exist and list the products which they cover.
The Proponent's Statement in Support of Proposal No. 4
Anything that stifles the Internet can discourage its use. Cisco should be promoting the use of the Internet to the
maximum, so that its hardware and software sales can reach the largest market possible.
Government monitoring, control, or censorship of the Internet can chill public enthusiasm toward Internet and computer
use. Freedom of speech is threatened by such practices, not only in the country involved but for the rest of the world.
Based on published reports, I believe that one country that has used technology effectively to monitor its people is the
Peoples Republic of China. The objectives of the PRC apparently are:
| — |
To prevent people of the PRC from accessing certain political and/or religious sites.
|
| — |
To monitor the discussion of certain political and/or religious topics by people of the PRC, especially in their
e-mails.
|
| — |
To block or delay the transmission of information or e-mail that the government disapproves of.
|
| — |
To inhibit the growth of Internet discussion groups. |
We stockowners deserve to be informed if Cisco's sales policies are promoting or inhibiting Internet use and its
potential for growth.
Cisco's Statement in Opposition to Proposal No. 4
The Board of Directors believes this proposal does not serve the best interests of Cisco or its
shareholders and recommends a vote AGAINST it.
Cisco and its Board of Directors are committed to freedom of speech. Furthermore, we are a proponent of the vast
potential of the Internet to advance and propel the dissemination of information among people throughout the world.
Nonetheless, we believe that the proposal will not further these social principles, will unnecessarily expend Cisco
resources and could interfere with our customer relations.
The product capabilities described in this shareholder proposal meet fundamental and legitimate needs to protect the
integrity of Internet communications networks. Cisco products, whether used by a private business, a telecommunications
service provider or a government agency, have these capabilities, as do the products of our competitors. These
capabilities are legitimately used by network operators and by governmental customers for those purposes and are also
used by the United States and other countries for law enforcement, national security purposes and to protect their
citizens against the threat of terrorism. In the United States and other countries whose governmental systems are based
upon the rule of law, the exercise of these powers is subject to constitutional and legal protections and respect for
individual rights.
This shareholder proposal would require the proposed report to cover all hardware and software sold to any government
agencies and state-owned communications or information technology entities which allows monitoring, interception, keyword
searches, and/or recording of the Internet, or which acts as a "firewall." Because the capabilities listed are inherent
in a wide range of products that we sell to anyone, and because we sell our products to government agencies and
state-owned communications or information technology entities in most of the countries of the world, this proposal is
seeking a report that would list most of the countries of the world and would require us to list a substantial portion of
our products. The report sought would result in substantial expenditure of company resources, in both funds and staffing,
without furthering the freedoms that Ms. Lau addresses in her supporting statement.
Outside of the United States, we sell our products almost exclusively through resellers, with direct sales to some
telecommunications service providers (both government owned and otherwise) but rarely if ever directly to governmental
agencies or entities. In some cases, we do not have visibility into the names of, and products purchased by, particular
end-users. We believe that this shareholder proposal would require us to set up inquiry procedures with our distributors
and resellers to determine those countries in which sales are made to government agencies and state-owned communication
or information technology entities and which products are so sold. The Board of Directors is concerned that the mere
gathering of this information could have an impact on our relations with reseller customers.
In the supporting statement to this shareholder proposal, Ms. Lau discusses the actions of the Government of the People's
Republic of China. In the past few years, we addressed our activities in the People's Republic of China as they relate to
freedom of speech and association over the Internet with the U.S. China Security Review Commission. As we informed the
Commission, the products that we sell to any customer in the People's Republic of China, government or otherwise, do not
contain any detection or monitoring capabilities which are different from the products we sell to anyone anywhere else in
the world.
While we understand the cause Ms. Lau espouses, and vigorously support freedom of speech and association and the role of
the Internet in providing opportunities to all the peoples of the world, the Board of Directors believes that this proxy
statement and the meeting are not proper forums for this debate.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
For all the reasons set forth above, the Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST
Proposal No. 4.
PROPOSAL NO. 5
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Washington Province, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, Washington
99224, who are the beneficial owners of 14,000 shares of Cisco common stock, joined by other filers (whose names,
addresses and shareholdings will be provided by Cisco promptly upon receipt by Cisco Investor Relations of any oral or
written request), have notified us that they intend to present the following proposal at the meeting:
WHEREAS, the average chief executive officer's pay has increased from 42 times in 1982
to 411 times that of the average production worker in 2001 (Business Week Online 05/06/02).
Responding to that statistic, New York Fed President, William J. McDonough acknowledged that a market economy requires
that some people will be rewarded more than others, but asked: "should there not be both economic and moral
limitations on the gap created by the market-driven reward system?" He stated: "I can find nothing in economic
theory that justifies this development." He called such a jump in executive compensation "terribly bad social
policy and perhaps even bad morals." According to The Wall Street Journal, McDonough cited "the biblical
admonition to 'love thy neighbor as thyself' as justification for voluntary CEO pay cuts" beginning with the
strongest companies. He said: "CEOs and their boards should simply reach the conclusion that executive pay is
excessive and adjust it to more reasonable and justifiable levels" (09/12/02).
Affirming McDonough's comments, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel editorialized that regulating executive compensation "is
the business of corporate boards, or should be. Unfortunately, too many corporate directors on company compensation
committees simply rubber-stamp decisions made by top managers. That should stop" (09/13/02).
In "CEOs: Why They're So Unloved," Business Week editorialized: "CEO pay is so huge that people don't believe executives
deserve it. . . In 1980, CEO compensation was 42 times that of the average worker. In 2000, it was 531 times. This is a
winner-take-all philosophy that is unacceptable in American society. . . The size of CEO compensation is simply out of
hand" (04/22/02).
The Conference Board issued a report acknowledging that executive compensation has become excessive in many instances and
bears no relationship to a company's long-term performance and that changes must be made (09/17/02). Commenting on this
The New York Times called for "Atonement in the Boardroom" (09/21/02), while Warren Buffet said: "The ratcheting up of
compensation has been obscene."
United For a Fair Economy has shown an inverse correlation between very high CEO pay and long-term stock performance
(http://www.ufenet.org/press/2001/Bigger_They_Come.pdf)
RESOLVED: shareholders request the Board's Compensation Committee to prepare and make
available by January 1, 2004 a report (omitting confidential information and prepared at reasonable cost) to requesting
shareholders comparing the total compensation of the company's top executives and its lowest paid workers both in this
country and abroad on January 1, 1982, 1992 and 2002. We request the report include: statistics related to any changes in
the relative percentage size of the gap between the two groups; the rationale justifying any such percentage change;
whether our top executives' compensation packages (including options, benefits, perks, loans and retirement agreements)
are "excessive" and should be changed; as well as any recommendations to adjust the pay "to more reasonable and
justifiable levels".
The Proponents' Statement in Support of Proposal No. 5
Our Company fits William J. McDonough's "strong company" category. Our pay scales should model justice and equity for all
our workers. Supporting this resolution would be one step in this direction.
Cisco's Statement in Opposition to Proposal No. 5
The Board of Directors believes this proposal does not serve the best interests of Cisco or its
shareholders and recommends a vote AGAINST it.
The Board of Directors believes that Cisco currently has in place a fair and reasonable pay package for all employees.
Our compensation structure is egalitarian in that the same components of compensation (base salary, annual cash bonus and
stock options) are used at all levels of the organization and no other compensation is used at any level (except certain
commission-based compensation for our sales force). Performance, both at the company and individual level, is the primary
criterion used to determine the amount of all variable compensation awards. Because performance is the primary driver of
the majority of compensation programs at Cisco, the annual amount received and the disparity from one individual to the
next with the same level of responsibility is the direct result of the individual's performance for that year. Not
surprisingly, the employees with the most responsibility in the organization have the largest percentage of their
compensation "at risk" based on achievement of both company and individual performance goals.
We also refrain from offering exclusive perquisites to any employee or group of employees, including senior executives.
We do not offer country club memberships, private use of corporate assets (such as aircraft, apartments or luxury boxes),
supplemental retirement funds, tax-sheltered accounts or any similar perquisites to any segment of our employee base.
Senior executives at Cisco have the same components (base salary, annual cash bonuses and stock options) of total
compensation, as do all Cisco employees.
We further note that as a public reporting company, information about the compensation levels of our CEO and other
highest paid executives is furnished in our annual proxy materials. We refer you to the "Summary Compensation Table" on
page 24 of this proxy statement for the compensation earned by Cisco's Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest
paid executive officers.
We believe that our egalitarian performance-based compensation structure is both equitable and appropriate for our
workforce while still creating incentive to drive value creation for our shareholders.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
For all the reasons set forth above, the Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Proposal No. 5.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Cisco maintains a corporate governance page on its website which includes key information about its corporate governance
initiatives, including Cisco's Corporate Governance Policies, Cisco's Code of Business Conduct and Corporate Governance,
and charters for the committees of the Board of Directors. The corporate governance page can be found at www.cisco.com,
by clicking on "About Cisco," then "Investor Relations," and finally "Corporate Governance."
Cisco's policies and practices reflect corporate governance initiatives that are compliant with the listing requirements
of Nasdaq and the corporate governance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including:
|
The Board of Directors has adopted clear corporate governance policies;
|
|
A majority of the board members are independent of Cisco and its management;
|
|
All members of the key board committees—the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Management Development
Committee, and the Nomination and Governance Committee—are independent;
|
|
The independent members of the Board of Directors meet regularly without the presence of management;
|
|
Cisco has a clear code of business conduct and corporate governance that is monitored by its ethics office and is
annually affirmed by its employees;
|
|
The charters of the board committees clearly establish their respective roles and responsibilities;
|
|
Cisco has an ethics office with a hotline available to all employees, and Cisco's Audit Committee has procedures
in place for the anonymous submission of employee complaints on accounting, internal controls, or auditing
matters;
|
|
Cisco has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer and all members of its finance
department, including the principal financial officer and principal accounting officer; and
|
|
Cisco's internal audit control function maintains critical oversight over the key areas of its business and
financial processes and controls, and reports directly to Cisco's Audit Committee. |
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
The following table sets forth information known to Cisco with respect to beneficial ownership of Cisco common stock as
of July 26, 2003 for (i) each director and nominee, (ii) Cisco's Chief Executive Off | |
