2019-June-12

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The Four Cs of Oliver Tuszik

STEDDUM · GLOBAL MARKETING AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS · UNITED STATES

If you’ve met Oliver Tuszik, you likely noticed the man has a lot of energy. And we mean a LOT. It could be the result of some robust coffee or an amazing playlist, but it could just be his nature.

Whatever it is, you need to get to know our new SVP of the Global Partner Organization.

Here’s your glimpse of life behind the scenes with Oliver.

Coffee!

If you work with Oliver, you’ll quickly learn that coffee is a big part of his life.

“Before I speak, before I go to the shower, I get an espresso. I take my shower, then another espresso, then a cappuccino, and then I'm ready to start.”

He was thrilled to see a coffee machine when he arrived at the San Jose office.

“I don't need a lot. I don't need my own office. I don't need anything special … except coffee.”

Oliver even incorporated coffee into his team meetings.

“I was looking for a format which is more interactive, less formal, more talking with each other. And I came up with the idea of a coffee klatch. It describes a kind of get together, relaxed, no agenda, unplanned, unpredictable. It's a bit like meeting at the coffee machine at the office.”

Cars!

Unless you live in an amazing city with plenty of transit options, people in the U.S need a car. While the San Francisco Bay Area has pockets of goodness, it’s is not one of those amazing places where you don’t need a car.

So, when Oliver and family moved from Germany, he knew he needed a car, but not just any car. Oliver wanted an authentic “American” car.

Despite his friends and family’s suggestions to get a German car, Oliver’s mind was made up.

“But I've been very clear. My dream was always to have a Jeep Wrangler.”

As you can see in the video below, his American car dream came true.

California!

The early days in their new home were … interesting.

“Everybody is very welcoming. The people help you here. It's a warm, welcoming culture.”

And while Hollywood gives the impression that California is full of famous people and never-ending sunny skies, the reality is a bit more … real.

“It was raining five weeks without any break.”

Oliver’s daughter seems to be happy with the move so far.

“My daughter is currently at Yosemite with the school. That's so cool. When I was her age, we made a two-day trip to a boring village somewhere — my daughter is going for a full week to Yosemite. So, if you ask anyone, ‘Is it cooler to be in school here or in Germany?’ She would have a very clear answer.”

Collaboration!

While filming the clip, Oliver raved about his team and their diversity. Diversity to him is an inclusive idea.

“It's about different people, different ideas, different strengths – all working together to help our partners and Cisco succeed.”

But his inclination to be inclusive doesn’t stop there.

“I think my team is even more than the team that is reporting to me. I see my team wider. It's the entire Cisco partner organization around the world. It's not about who's reporting to whom it's about how you can be successful together.”

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