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John Chambers Speaks to the U.S. Governors
July 30, 2002
By John Earnhardt, Cisco Government Affairs
Recently (note to editors: July 14th to be exact), Cisco President
and CEO John Chambers gave the keynote address to U.S. governors at
the annual National Governor's Association's (NGA)
conference in Boise, Idaho. John spoke to the governors about the importance
on deploying broadband, technology in education, and how the Internet
can increase productivity of state government. His presentation was
entitled "Back to Basics," in which he discussed the parallel
between Internet Business Solutions
and productivity and standard of living improvements.
Most states are currently dealing with state budget deficits and facing
the possibility of cutting essential government services, but Johns
remarks about the productivity gains from implementing Internet based
applications re-awakened many Governors to the importance of the Internet.
The main messages on Chambers presentation included:
- E-Applications Equal Productivity. Productivity improvements drive
improvements in the standard of living. Chambers discussed how the
states were not only competing against each other -- but we as a nation
are competing in the global economy. He discussed Cisco's utilization
of corporate communications, customer care, and e-learning.
- Internet and Education are the Great Equalizers. This was the most
discussed issue during the Q&A session. Chambers' message was
that the U.S. higher education system is excellent, but that K-12
continues to need improvement. He also mentioned the Cisco's
Networking Academy program as a good proof point in the efficacy
of e-learning. Responding to a question from Governor Dirk Kempthorne
(R-ID) (the new Vice Chairman
of the NGA), Chambers said the formula for growth is fairly straightforward:
"The jobs
will go where the best educated work force is, where the right infrastructure
is, with the right supportive government."
- Broadband for All. Chambers emphasized how the U.S. needed a national
broadband strategy, one that would make
broadband accessible to all Americans by 2010.
- Networked
Virtual Organization. The new business model that all industries
will follow to ensure they are focused on the right activities and
implement the most impactful applications, all via the Internet.
During the conference the Governors were able to build on the momentum
from John's remarks on the importance of broadband and productivity
and some successes came from the conference on that front, such as:
- The NGA's Committee on Economic Development and Commerce plans to
endorse the concept of a Federal National Broadband strategy at their
fall planning session.
- Broadband strategy, e-government and productivity will be highlighted
in NGA's transition conference for new Governors, CIOs and other cabinet
level officials this winter. This is an especially valuable opportunity
given the high number of new Governors coming in next term (at least
18 new governors will be elected in November).
- Technology was a common theme throughout the annual meeting. In
fact, Gov. Kempthorne's "take away" from the conference
was "a thought reiterated from the first speaker, Cisco Systems
Inc. President John Chambers, to the last, Former House Speaker Newt
Gingrich. The idea is that information technology - and the millions
of dollars needed to keep it up to date - is a vital component of
health care, education and other state services. In education especially,
Idaho has treated technology expenditures as a separate option, not
as an integral budget line. Kempthorne said he'd remember this when
he's drawing up budgets in the future."
* From
the Idaho Statesman
Governors attending the conference represented the following states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana,
New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah,
Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
If you would more information on the conference please, please contact
the Cisco
Government Affairs team.
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