Cisco Doesn’t Kid

Forgive me for rolling my eyes at this Cisco announcement of its latest investment in China, this one worth some $16 billion over the next five years. Cisco will set aside $400 million for, among other things, training up to 100,000 local students.

The story quotes spokesman John Noh as saying, “It shows our commitment to the country. It shows the strategic importance of China to our business.”

Commitment to the country? Please. This is a commitment to making money, nothing more, nothing less. It’s just disappointing that the company doesn’t feel it can be more candid.

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About Mike

Mike Buetow is president of the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (pcea.net). He previously was editor-in-chief of Circuits Assembly magazine, the leading publication for electronics manufacturing, and PCD&F, the leading publication for printed circuit design and fabrication. He spent 21 years as vice president and editorial director of UP Media Group, for which he oversaw all editorial and production aspects. He has more than 30 years' experience in the electronics industry, including six years at IPC, an electronics trade association, at which he was a technical projects manager and communications director. He has also held editorial positions at SMT Magazine, community newspapers and in book publishing. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikebuetow