Leading the way toward the future of work Technologists have predicted for years that hybrid work—in which employees split their time working from home, office, and on the go—is the way of the future. But no one could have predicted quite how 2020’s mass transition to remote working would unfold. After nearly two years in which students and office workers have operated mostly from home, we believe hybrid work is here to stay. In this still-being-charted territory, employers, including Cisco, have been forced to reexamine our notions of employee communication, safety, career development, work-life balance, and the future of the workplace itself. Innovating to make work more human We’ve seen some of the benefits of this new reality, such as more flexible schedules, less time and emissions spent commuting to an office, and career possibilities that are not dependent on one’s location. We have also discovered some of the challenges. Many organizations have concerns about security and business continuity now that their networks no longer start and end at a campus, branch, or data center. People have experienced profound isolation—as well as the challenges of sharing space with children and other family members during the workday. Video calls can be hampered by poor quality that diminishes engagement, and too many meetings can lead to anxiety and fatigue. The good news: Cisco has the tools we need to help mitigate these challenges and help enable an inclusive recovery for ourselves and our customers. We continue to serve customers with secure access to the applications and critical resources they need, whether in a public cloud or on-premises. We are striving to lead by example by valuing employee wellbeing just as much as productivity—and offering tools to support both. And to improve the meeting experience, Webex by Cisco has introduced more than 50 innovations, including: ● The Raise Hand feature and emoji-based gestures allow presenters to get live feedback, making presentations feel more interactive without interrupting the speaker. ● Real-time translations and enhanced video capabilities ensure all meeting guests can equally participate. ● Webex People Insights enables individuals and teams to set and achieve goals for their meetings and their day, ensuring time is well spent. Our support goes beyond traditional office settings. We’ve also helped government bodies, healthcare providers, and educators modernize their IT infrastructures and deliver their services remotely—keeping them prepared for whatever comes next. For organizations navigating a return to the workplace, Cisco sensors and IoT solutions can help manage density and proximity in shared spaces and securely manage data for facial recognition and contact tracing. The future is hybrid In this moment of disruption, we have an opportunity to challenge old assumptions and create an improved experience for all. As employees around the world forge new ways of working, we believe we must help ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute and advance, no matter where they are. This is Cisco’s moment. As the builder of technology that has helped people connect across distances for decades, we are ready to guide the world into an efficient, inclusive, and sustainable future of work. 58% of people expect to work from home 8+ days per month, even post-COVID-19 Cisco Global Workforce Survey 98% of people expect to have meetings with people joining remotely going forward Cisco Global Workforce Survey FUTURE INTRO POWER INCLUSIVE 2021 Cisco Purpose Report | csr.cisco.com | ESG Reporting Hub 13