12/01/2013
The Cisco Designated VIP Program
Who are the Cisco Designated VIPs on the Cisco Learning Network?
Below is a list of past and current Cisco Designated VIPs by year.
Alain Cadet 2013 Jared Hainline 2013, 2012, 2011
Anthony Sequeira 2013, 2012 Keith Barker 2012, 2011
Brian Schoonover 2013, 2012 Paul Stewart 2013, 2012, 2011
Del Vonte Deary 2013 Scott Morris 2013, 2012, 2011
Erick Borgard 2013 Travis Newshott 2013, 2012, 2011
Elvin Arias 2013
What is the Cisco Designated VIP Program?
The Cisco Designated VIP program recognizes the top contributors among Cisco online communities, including the Cisco Learning Network and the Cisco Support Community.
CISCO DESIGNATED VIP PROGRAM
Cisco Designated VIPs are recognized by their peers for their obvious expertise and tireless contributions. VIPs are generous, credible, and accessible to their peers and their significant participation is vital to community success. With this program, Cisco formally recognizes the positive contributions that our top individual members make to Cisco online communities. Each Cisco online community may have slightly different criteria for members to qualify for VIP status. But wherever you see an online community member identified as a “Cisco Designated VIP,” you can trust their experience and the quality of their contributions.
Who is eligible to become a Cisco Designated VIP?
Registered members of the Cisco Support Community or the Cisco Learning Network are eligible for selection. You must also be at least 18 years of age to participate and cannot be contracted or employed by a Cisco competitor. Because this program is intended to recognize Cisco customers and partners, Cisco employees are not eligible to be Cisco Designated VIPs. In addition, Cisco reserves the right to award or remove VIP status.
How long does the Cisco Designated VIP award last?
Once selected, benefits last for one year. Members must qualify each year to retain their designated VIP status and benefits.
What are the benefits of becoming a Cisco Designated VIP?
Cisco Designated VIPs receive numerous benefits. Designated VIPs are invited to join private online group spaces in their communities where they can work with Cisco and their designated VIP peers. They may also be invited to advise the communities on community direction, features, and other strategic issues. In addition, Cisco Subject Matter Experts will meet privately with VIPs to discuss different technologies and other topics of interest. Access to Cisco executives and recognition at major Cisco events are also planned. These periodic meetings are designed only for Designated VIPs. As the program evolves, VIPs can expect additional benefits as Cisco is committed to working with the VIPs to identify and deliver reasonable rewards to the VIPs. Designated VIPs will also have a "badge" placed next to their username in the online communities to announce their achievement.
Details for the Cisco Learning Network
How can I become a Cisco Designated VIP on the Cisco Learning Network?
You receive “points” on the Cisco Learning Network by carrying out the following activities:
Posting or responding to discussion forum threads: 1 Point
Correctly answering discussion forum thread questions: 4 Points
Posting helpful responses to discussion forum thread questions: 2 Points
Creating new documents on the Cisco Learning Network: 4 Points
Creating a new status update: 1 point
User’s status was liked: 1 point
User’s status update was shared: 1 point
Cisco Management reserves the right to award additional points on an ad-hoc basis for significant contributions, such as Study Group Leadership, Cisco certification exam design and development contributions, product marketing focus-group participation, and other related support activities.
As you earn points on the Cisco Learning Network, you progress through the following rankings or levels:
Expert: 401 or more
Advanced: 301–400 points
Intermediate: 201–300 points
Beginner: 101–200 points
Member: 0–100 points
Once you achieve “Expert” level on the Cisco Learning Network and acquire 750 points, you are then eligible to be considered for inclusion in the Cisco Designated VIP Program, following a review from Cisco management and assuming that you also meet the following criteria:
Minimum 750 points
Active Cisco Certification at the Professional level or higher
Active contributor on the Cisco Learning Network within the last three months
Accept the Terms & Conditions and Non-Disclosure Agreement
Demonstrated maturity, professionalism, experience and ability to contribute to the design and strategic direction of the Cisco Learning Network
Reviewed and approved by Cisco Learning Network management
What are the opportunities for influence by Cisco Designated VIPs on the Cisco Learning Network and what are the responsibilities?
Cisco Designated VIPs on the Cisco Learning Network will have the opportunity to play a strong leadership role on the site. They will be expected to:
Guide conversations, create study content, identify problems and communicate them to staff where necessary, provide assistance and mentoring, and so on.
Develop two new pieces of content per quarter to support their fellow community members; content can include any of the following: blog posts, guest editorials, podcasts, videos or articles (white papers).
Consistently receive ratings by the community of an average of 4.3 or higher for material posted in Documents to the Cisco Learning Network.
Cisco Designated VIPs on the Cisco Learning Network will also have the ongoing opportunity to contribute input on strategic issues facing the Cisco Learning Network business team.
What if I have additional questions or comments about the Cisco Designated VIP Program?
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Cisco Designated VIP program on the Cisco Learning Network, please join the discussion on this topic or email [email protected].
