“We're Renovating!” Mission Improbable: The Office Adventure

“Office closed for renovations.”

For someone who actually enjoys coming to the office (Yes, even on Fridays!), this could have been my villain origin story. But instead, I decided to turn this challenge into a secret mission across Germany. Instead of my usual role of Collaboration Account Executive, where I specialize in customer engagement and live demonstrations of our world-class collaboration solutions, I went “undercover” at Cisco customer and partner locations, and a few coworking spaces in between.

My tools: one Cisco Desk Mini, — a compact, portable video conferencing device, perfect for personal use — a laptop, of course, and a positive attitude. My mission: survive two months without a permanent desk. My advantage: Cisco’s flexibility in working wherever my tech can take me.

Mission Log: The Great Office Hunt

Day 1: Find the perfect temporary workspace. Little did I know this would turn into a journey through some of the coolest offices in Germany. Like any good operative, I needed to blend in at each location. Though as you’ll see, some attempts were more successful than others.

First target: A coworking space in Düsseldorf. The modern self-check-in system made me feel like I was entering a secret base. The only challenge: The coffee machine interrogation. Nothing blows your cover faster than standing in front of a coffee maker confused while a line forms behind you. My specialized training hadn’t prepared me for a machine with more buttons than my laptop.

Next stop: ACP IT Solutions in Cologne. My cover story? Temporarily borrowing the CEO’s amazing desk setup, complete with his Cisco DeskPro in hotdesking mode. Everything went perfectly until I met the office’s real boss: Max, the office dog. It turns out you can’t fool a dog with a fake “I work here” attitude. Luckily, I had a secret weapon: treats in my pocket.

The DHL facility felt like stepping into the future. Watching the robots and conveyor belts moving packages around was like I had time travelled. I tried to look professional while packages whizzed around me, but honestly, I was just amazed by all the moving parts and precision of the automated sorting systems. With access to their state-of-the-art Cisco conference rooms, I realized I could have traveled lighter myself. I was even tempted to place an order on my favourite shopping platform just to see if I could track my package in real-time.

At Logicalis Cologne, my first mission was simply to find the building in the thick fog. Second mission: joining the great fireplace debate of 2024. I spent a full 15 minutes trying to figure out if it was real or not — and I’m still not convinced either way. Some mysteries are meant to remain unsolved! After those two challenges, it was just Cisco tech doing its thing, showing how modern offices should work.

The Berlin chapter tested all my skills. My contact’s extraction plan (undercover talk for “picking me up”) involved an unexpected twist: an e-scooter ride through rush hour traffic. Picture this: me, trying to look unfazed while holding a laptop bag and suitcase, while desperately clinging to the scooter. Mission Improbable? More like Mission Terrifying!

Final destination: system.de in Charlottenburg. Here, I discovered their prized possession — the legendary Cisco Hammer. It’s not exactly the high-tech gear I expected, but impressive nonetheless as it’s a symbol of us crushing our competition!

Mission Debriefing: Intel Gathered

After two months of this covert mission, I learned some valuable lessons:

• Every office has its own special culture
• The best office tech isn’t always the newest gadget
• Sometimes, the best work conversations aren’t about work at all
• Never underestimate the power of being nice to the office dog

Back at our newly renovated office, I can’t help but smile at all these adventures. Sure, the renovation forced me out, but it led to some of the best work experiences I’ve had. Seeing Cisco’s technology in action across Germany reminded me of our company’s wide-reaching impact and how it empowers businesses and employees alike. I experienced the working world through different perspectives and made new contacts — a clear advantage for my next mission. 😉

*Now accepting applications for future office adventures.

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