2022-January-12

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#LoveWhereYouWork Winners Show Us How It’s Done

BY KRYSTAL CHENG · GLOBAL EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATIONS · UNITED STATES

4 MINUTE READ · 7 MINUTE LISTEN

“Cisco Family: Pets” category winner Gabriel Pinto submitted a photo with one of his favorite coworkers.

Do you #LoveWhereYouWork? In February 2021, thousands of employees entered the #LoveWhereYouWork contest by submitting fun photos of their work setups, furry family members, and more.

While it might be intimidating to participate — especially if you rely on your teenager to snap your family selfies — it doesn’t have to be.

All you need is a smartphone and an idea.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for the next contest in April 2023, we sat down with a few contestants who shared their thoughts behind their winning snapshots.

Try something new. It might surprise you.

When it comes to riding a bicycle suspended in midair, most would certainly pass on the stunt. But not Ale Mantilla — she gave it a try anyway and ended up earning the 2021 Grand Prize for her photograph.

Her reason for facing the Villa de Leyva, Colombia obstacle course was simple: After spending the past nine months in lockdown, she wanted to get out and try something new. “This was the closest feeling to absolute freedom I’ve experienced. We have to keep living and enjoying life as it is!” she says.

Ale Mantilla’s photo in Colombia made her the “Grand Prize” winner.

Her biggest takeaway? It’s not that she overcame her fear of heights.

“It showed me that I should keep doing everything I dream about, regardless of how impossible that may seem,” the business development manager shares.

“It seemed impossible to win the contest since there were thousands of participants, but I was eager to win the grand prize, and I did it! My LinkedIn profile views, photo post views, and search appearances quadrupled after this award!”

Share an experience because others might relate

U.S.-based Software Engineer Shweta Behere shared a photo of her and her two sons, earning her the winning spot for “That’s #So2020.” She wanted to use this as an opportunity to show what it was like being a mom and working during the pandemic.

Shweta Behere’s captured working from home to earn her the winning spot for “That’s #So2020.”

“Cisco Family: Kids” category winner Mafer Manon sent in a photo with her newborn.

She explains, “As contest winners were announced, I was contacted by many Cisco employees — many of whom I had never talked to before — with congratulatory messages describing how they could easily relate. All of us were trying to work hard when it was hard to work.”

Similarly, Mafer Manon, winner of the “Cisco Family: Kids” category, shared this idea.

“I was surprised with all the reactions — a lot of parents identified with the picture, and it was very rewarding to see the positive impact it created in showing that being a working mom or dad is possible and there’s no shame to that,” notes the Mexico-based virtual sales account manager.

Showcase what you love and get recognized for it

Cristobal Alonso Martinez won the “Swagalicious: Logo Love” prize for his photo of his girlfriend in Mexico City.

Technical Consulting Engineer Cristobal Alonso Martinez was this year’s “Swagalicious” category winner.

His idea? To represent the Cisco logo by two of Mexico City’s most iconic cultural centers: The Palacio de Bellas Artes and Torre Latinoamericana.

The Mexico native has practiced photography for years, but this was the first time he brought it to work. He shares, “We all have a life beyond Cisco, and it was nice to share a piece of it.”

“This was definitely the type of contest where you’re made to feel more comfortable sharing what you love to do. It makes me think that Cisco is more than just a company, but a place where you can share your hobbies and be recognized for it!”

Make new friends and connect with old ones

When Employee Choice winner Josue Cravioto Lomelin took a photo at Cañon del Paraíso in Queretaro, Mexico, he had one objective: to inspire hope. “The canyon represents the pandemic challenges we’re all facing around the globe, the sunset represents hope, and the woman represents the Cisco family, ready for anything,” he says.

Josue Cravioto Lomelin’s inspirational photo was the “Employee Choice” winner.

But the asset manager’s photograph did a little more than just inspire employees. It brought them closer together, especially on social media.

“So many Cisconians started to follow me on Instagram, and I made new friends. Some even congratulated me personally! One surprise was when some of my old friends contacted me when I won the contest. I didn’t know they worked at Cisco too!”