Ever marvel how one can champion a trigger you imagine in at work? I sat down with a pacesetter within the Asia, Pacific, Japan, and China (APJC) area to find out about how she harnessed her roles inside Cisco—each within the Cisco Buyer Expertise staff and as a core staff volunteer with the Cisco Inexperienced Workforce Community Inclusive Neighborhood, certainly one of Cisco’s worker useful resource teams (ERGs), devoted to connecting Cisco staff for social and environmental actions. Be a part of us as we discover her journey, the significant collaboration with World Huge Fund For Nature Australia (WWF-Australia) since 2022, and the particular initiative at Cisco Dwell APJC 2023!
May you begin by introducing your self?
My identify is Vivien Chia and I’m presently the Digital Advertising Supervisor throughout the Digital Buyer Expertise (DCX) staff, answerable for the social media administration of Cisco Neighborhood—Cisco’s peer-to-peer on-line group portal and Cisco’s 2nd most visited digital property.
On high of this present day job, I’m additionally the APJC Lead of the World Inexperienced Workforce Inclusive Neighborhood and a part of the core staff of Australia and New Zealand Sustainable Surroundings Community (ANZ Inexperienced Workforce).
Therefore, I see the good alternative to attempt to incorporate sustainability into the Inexperienced Workforce’s initiatives and additional interact our members to drive extra social and group impacts collectively.
May you inform me a bit of bit concerning the ANZ Inexperienced Workforce?
The ANZ chapter of the Cisco Inexperienced Workforce is made up of staff from throughout Cisco’s enterprise models who create, encourage and drive sustainability motion throughout Australia and New Zealand. We’re centered on:
- Constructing extra sustainable partnerships: Participating and creating strategic collaboration with frequent goal and alternatives.
- Giving again and volunteering: Inspiring motion, constructing resiliency and empowering us all to beat local weather disruptions and protect sources inside communities.
- Educating and constructing consciousness: Activating by way of participating communications, giving again alternatives and occasions.
Inform us a bit concerning the collaboration between ANZ Inexperienced Workforce and WWF-Australia.
Our office giving journey with WWF began in August 2022 after Jay Inexperienced and I connecting with Henry Clough, Office Giving and Company Engagement Supervisor at WWF-Australia.
We have been drawn to WWF’s world mission to cease the degradation of the planet’s pure setting and to construct a future wherein people dwell in concord with nature. WWF-Australia is now the nation’s largest conservation organisation with initiatives and partnerships in each state and territory throughout the nation since its institution in 1978. They work collaboratively with communities, governments, Conventional Homeowners, non-government organisations (NGOs), scientists, business, and innovators. So we wish to assist them to assist drive optimistic change by way of resilient ecosystems.
The ANZ Inexperienced Workforce nominated WWF-Australia for the Cisco Matching Items program, and have established an ongoing collaboration to highlight their essential work in defending wildlife and regenerating nature, together with Earth Hour 2023 and 2024 (take a look at the Earth Hour 2024 | Postcards from around the globe!).
In July 2023, we additionally efficiently nominated them for a Cisco Basis Regional Answer Grant (AUD$150,000) to assist fund their Australian Native Vegetation Mapping System challenge; this is a vital challenge as a result of Australia is the one developed nation on the listing of 24 world deforestation fronts.
After which, it was a serious milestone for us to have them onsite at Cisco Dwell APJC in 2023 because the official Charity Associate of the occasion. WWF-Australia and Inexperienced Workforce engaged with the guests on the Sustainability Zone (led by Sarah Simpson), the place we helped undertake 100 koalas (AUD$18,000 donation worth)!
All groups have been thrilled with the success and sit up for extra collaborations with WWF-Australia and different NGOs to assist make a distinction.
How did you additional prolong the giveback and group affect initiative finally yr’s Cisco Dwell APJC?
The ANZ Inexperienced Workforce partnered with Cisco Neighborhood to activate our annual giveback initiative and produce it to life onsite. As an alternative of manufacturing lots of of occasion giveaways, we needed one thing distinctive and extra sustainable, so the finances was diverted to assist a terrific trigger by way of the ‘Neighborhood Serving to Neighborhood’ marketing campaign on the occasion. This was to boost consciousness of local weather change and promote collective effort to assist enhance the world collectively.
The staff additionally directed foot site visitors to the WWF-Australia sales space to undertake their very own koala. The symbolic motion to ‘undertake’ these iconic but threatened Australian species will assist save them from extinction. You’ll be able to be taught extra right here: Undertake a koala.
What are another methods Cisco staff are getting concerned?
It’s essential for workers to rethink their carbon footprint, whether or not it’s by way of work, at house, or when organizing an occasion (large or small).
Additionally don’t neglect to leverage, discover the chance, and get artistic to drive greater affect by collaborating with different groups. I wish to categorical my heartfelt gratitude to everybody who’ve supported me by way of this journey.
There may be a lot data on the market each internally and externally about sustainability. Typically it’s onerous to know the place to start out, however that’s okay as a result of the Inexperienced Workforce Community may help you begin or proceed your sustainability journey. Whether or not that’s seeking to become involved in fundraising or attending inner training classes we encourage staff to be curious, and their data about sustainability will develop from there.
For Cisco staff, the World Inexperienced Workforce Community Inclusive Neighborhood encourages everybody to affix an area staff and begin getting concerned. We’d love to include new concepts, recommendations, and actions to drive our environmental affect and efforts. In the event you’re a Cisco worker, please be a part of us!
Lastly, you too can keep up to date on Cisco’s sustainability targets and applications for patrons and companions and don’t neglect to cease by the Cisco Neighborhood kiosk and Sustainability Zones while you attend Cisco Dwell occasions just like the one in Melbourne, Australia from November 11-14!
Share: