Koen Jacobs’ Post

After a challenging journey, VMware has finally been acquired by Broadcom. This process has been a true test, both as a colleague and as a dedicated family man. It has required strength, patience, and a constant juggling act between professional commitments and family life. Along the way, tolerance has been short, and optimism has fluctuated like a roller coaster. However, reflection has always been at the forefront, bordering on introspection. What if there is a place for me, but not for my talented colleague? What if...? This journey has not only been for the company but also for me as an individual. The paradox between being a family man and a career-driven individual has been evident, forcing me to question what truly matters. I believe that challenges like these not only shape our professional journey but also our personal development. It's a reminder to appreciate what truly matters and find strength in our relationships, both in the workplace and at home. I look forward to the next chapter at Broadcom and the opportunities it brings. Let's continue the journey together, creating results while maintaining the importance of balance and the personal touch. 🌟

It's been a year since my first day as a Solutions Engineer at Cisco. What were the biggest challenges? 🙄 Accepting that I won't be immediately amazing at my job. 💗 Granting myself the space and self-compassion to learn and grow. 🥇 Holding onto the victories as much as I stare at the failures. Cisco is a giant company, with a wide array of complex but valuable solutions across architectures for a variety of different use cases. It would be impossible to be an expert at everything, and difficult to be knowledgeable about most things. Especially in one year. But I believe in continual improvement and work to be better everyday (in all aspects). Whether at customer meetings, on TAC calls, while taking trainings, or even when putting myself out there on LinkedIn... I am present and engaged, developing into the me I want to be in this role. So if you're out there wondering if you're good enough, or doing the right thing, or made the right decision, or said something wrong... then take these words to heart: Trust in yourself, and trust in your process. While you may feel unsure today, it's through those difficulties that you find your place tomorrow. ✌ ✌ ✌

It’s my 24-year anniversary at Microsoft today and whilst I will save the bells and whistles post until this day in 2024 (hoping), I wanted to take a moment to answer the question I get asked most frequently – “What exactly do you do?”. The truth is, no two Chiefs of Staff do the same thing. It really depends on your own set of strengths and what your Principal (in my case, VP) needs from you. All Chiefs of staff need a blend of emotional intelligence, big-picture thinking, and the ability to know a little about a lot of things. They also need humility – this is a senior role, but it won’t be about making yourself the star, it’s about making your Principal and team look good. I often tell people asking about the role that you have to be ok with being the bridesmaid and not necessarily the bride! In my personal experience, it’s incredibly rewarding, ever-changing and it allows me to keep learning and growing. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. I’ve shared below a snapshot of what it means to be a Chief of Staff in my own personal experience. This is written by me, and not meant to be fully representative of what it means to be a CoS in Microsoft, or anywhere else. As stated above, no two are the same. Here’s to another year to make it to 25.

I am happy to share that I have joined Qualcomm as an Associate Software Engineer - Backend. I would like to thank my family and friends for their support, and extend a special thanks to all my seniors who have always supported me throughout this journey, especially Satvik S., Sheikh Farhan, and Krishnendra Sharma. I am looking forward to new learnings #qualcomm #teamqualcomm #New2Q #softwareengineering

As I bid farewell to Qualcomm, I'm deeply grateful for the journey from an Intern to an Associate Software Developer since Feb of 2022. Sasidhar Rachuri, your unwavering faith and mentorship have been transformative. You instilled in me the confidence to push my boundaries and strive towards excellence, for which I'm immensely grateful. Abhilash Anand, your continuous support and encouragement have helped me grow both professionally and personally. I cherish the opportunities I got to learn and improve under your mentorship. Kiran Ghanta, your invaluable guidance and belief in my abilities have shaped my growth as a developer. I'm grateful for your constructive feedback and encouragement to excel in every endeavor. To my friends, including Rishi Kaushik, Mohammed Sharif, and Shadab Naseem, thank you for the laughter, memories, and all the impromptu weekend table tennis sessions. Though farewells are bittersweet, I'm excited about new adventures. The lessons and memories from Qualcomm will guide me in future endeavors. Thank you, Qualcomm, for the incredible journey. My gratitude knows no bounds. As I bid farewell, I reflect on a few key learnings that have significantly shaped my professional journey: 1.           Embracing Agility: Working at Qualcomm has provided me with the opportunity to thrive in an agile workplace. The fast-paced environment demanded adaptability and quick decision-making, teaching me the importance of being flexible and the ability to pivot when necessary. Embracing agility has not only enhanced my productivity but also fostered innovation and creativity in problem-solving. 2.           Seeking Support: One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is the importance of asking for help. Whether it's seeking clarification on a task or collaborating with colleagues to tackle complex challenges, I've discovered the power of leveraging the collective knowledge and expertise of the team. This willingness to seek support has not only strengthened my relationships but also led to more effective problem-solving and personal growth. 3.           Breaking Down Complexity: At Qualcomm, I've honed the skill of breaking down every problem statement into manageable sub problems. This systematic approach has been instrumental in tackling even the most daunting tasks with clarity and precision. By breaking down complexity into smaller, more manageable components, I've been able to approach challenges with a structured mindset, leading to more efficient and effective solutions. #Farewell #Qualcomm #Gratitude #ThankYou #UntilWeMeetAgain #EndOfAnEra #Goodbye #NewBeginnings #LastDay

A week ago today, my nearly 9-year journey at the Intel site in Folsom came to an end. While it was sad to close that chapter, I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity. I got to work with some truly amazing people and learned so much. Here are a few of the most impactful things I learned during my journey: 💡 Embrace the unknown; don't fear it. Fear of the unknown is biologically built into us, but if we learn to embrace it, we're able to experience an incredible amount of learning and growth. 💡 The greater pressure, the greater the opportunity: The late Kobe Bryant said, "Everything negative—pressure, challenges—is all an opportunity for me to rise." I'd take it a step further and say that pressure can be positive because it pushes us beyond what we may think we're capable of. If you can stay level-headed and find the opportunity in the pressure, great things can happen. 💡 Lead with Kindness and humility: I was fortunate to be around many amazing managers every day. The thing I noticed about them was that they were some of the nicest people I'd ever met. I wanted to do my best for them because I didn't want to let them down, not because they scared me into working hard. There are times to be firm, but their style of leadership created a much happier and more productive team. ⏩ As I move towards the next phase of my journey, I'll look forward to an environment that will push me out of my comfort zone and allow me to continue learning, growing, and using that growth to make a progressively larger impact on the company and team that I'm a part of. I'll also look forward to working hard and doing everything I can to help the team as a whole win and produce 🏆. 🙏 Thank you to all of the great people I worked with, and thank you to all my sponsors at Intel who gave a 25-year-old kid who couldn't grow a beard a chance to learn and grow. 🙏 #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #Gratitude

Intel Corporation, Dell Technologies and Cisco laid off 30,000+ employees in August 😢 😭 🌟 Embracing the Magic of "Pay It Forward" 🌟 Reshare with your network to spread the message👇🏻 When 2 recruiters reached out to me about an exciting job opportunity, it struck me how amazing it would be if this opportunity could benefit not just me, but also folks in my network. So, I decided to refer folks in my network to this fantastic chance for growth and fulfillment 😎 ✌🏻 Why? Because I believe in the magic of paying it forward. I've been blessed with opportunities and support throughout my life, and it's an incredible feeling to extend that same helping hand to someone else. This act of referring folks isn't just about career advancement; it's about believing in the power of connections and the potential for positive change. It's about creating opportunities and opening doors for others, knowing their success can ripple outward, benefiting their families and communities. In a world where competition can sometimes overshadow collaboration, let's remember the profound impact we can have by simply looking out for one another. It's a reminder that our actions, big or small, can be the catalyst for someone else's dreams coming true. Let's be the reason someone believes in the goodness of humanity. Let's pay it forward, not because we expect anything in return, but because we understand the profound beauty of creating a world where kindness reigns supreme 💙 Have you ever done this?👇 Use our Job assistant platform to get your dream job today 🚀 ⚡️ Careerflow.ai: https://lnkd.in/drNZrQkX If you liked this content, ♻️ repost this and follow Nikita Gupta

July started with Intuit letting go of 1,800 people. And this is how August looks so far: - Intel removed 15,000 roles. - Dell laid off 12,500 employees. - Infineon let go of 1,400 people. And it likely won't stop there. Companies are willing to do what it takes to save costs. And it's at the expense of thousands of people. So feel empowered to build your personal moat by: 1. Growing your personal brand 2. Networking with other people 3. Starting those passion projects 4. Exploring opportunities in different industries Companies will always take care of themselves first. So put yourself first too.

As you all may have seen I was part of the cuts at Cisco last week...What you also may or may not have seen is the outpouring of support and love from the Cisco family. This decision was not a reflection of my performance or tenure but a strategic move for the organization. The culture at Cisco has always stood out, and it’s even more apparent during challenging times like these. The support those affected have received has been overwhelming—in the best way possible. My peers and fellow colleagues who've faced similar changes have come together in a show of solidarity that truly embodies the spirit of the Cisco community. This moment is a testament to the strength of the relationships we've built and the culture we've nurtured. As I reflect on my time at Cisco, I'm filled with gratitude for the opportunities I've had and the connections I've made. Looking ahead, I'm excited about the new path that awaits whether I find something internal or external. The lessons learned and experiences gained at Cisco have equipped me with a unique set of skills and perspectives that I'm eager to bring to my next adventure. To my Cisco family, thank you for the support, encouragement, and camaraderie. The journey doesn’t end here; it’s just taking a new direction. Here’s to embracing change and stepping into the future with optimism and resilience. If you want to know what it like to work with a "family", Cisco is the place. #Cisco #NewBeginnings #CareerJourney #Gratitude

After 60 days as a Broadcom "employee", it's officially time to turn the page. The last 6 companies I've worked for have all been acquired, so I am no stranger to this pivot. Being acquired at VMware was a little different because it was the largest tech acquisition in history ($69B deal) and an 18-month process. I had plenty of opportunities along the way to take a parachute, but I'm glad I stayed and can genuinely say I left it all on the field. The journey wasn't easy with Pivotal being acquired by VMware 6 months after starting in June 2019, switching from selling software to services after 9 months, scrapping to make quota through Covid, exceeding 300% of quota in 2021, and being promoted to a sales leader in 2022. I am thankful for all the support along the way and the success we had at Pivotal / VMware Tanzu. I wish my former colleagues the best of luck and look forward to keeping in touch. If I can be of any assistance whatsoever to anyone impacted or to those looking to make a proactive move, please let me know. I'll be starting a new gig next week (more to come) and I'll close with a few learnings I've had in recent memory: 1) Bet on yourself - don't be afraid to take a risk; you're more powerful and have more to offer than you realize 2) Follow your passion - don't settle for good enough; if you're stuck, speak up and/or take action to unleash your superpowers 3) Mind the gap - there are a lot of great leaders but also many who don't belong; don't let them hold you back from achieving your goals and dreams