A little time ago I wrote about Cisco’s Human Network. One of the point I raised was to know is Cisco was about to only play a facilitator’s game or try to exploit its network’s fruits when relevant. The answer was obvious,  but now it gets materialized and is called  I-Prize.

It’s nothing less that a context in which people submit business ideas and concepts. Contestants will be able to refine their ideas relying on Human Network.

What can they expect  ?

Being hired by cisco to run the business they invented with a $250 000 signing bonus. Not that bad. Cisco is investing $10M in this program, which proves the profitability of externalized, distributed innovation, that’s to say crowdsourcing.

It’s been a while I don’t watch American Idol’s french clones anymore. But in this case the finalist’s presentation maybe worth.

I also see another point : CISCO shows it’s an open minded, agile and innovative company. Very important to seduce Gen Yers.. A great work on employer’s brand.

cisco, crowdsourcing, human network, Innovation, innovation collaborative, innovation participative, innovation-distribuée, marque-employeur