Charting a Path to Simple

Neila Colvin
Cisco Meraki
Published in
3 min readOct 14, 2021

Simplifying powerful technology isn’t always, well, simple. It takes innovation, collaboration, inspiration — and passionate people behind the scenes to oversee it all. One of those people is Pablo Ordonez Bravo, our Strategy Lead for the evolution of our product enablement portfolio. Pablo works to make sure Meraki products accomplish our mission of allowing customers to focus on their mission. We wanted to know more about his career and what gets him up in the morning. Here’s what he told us.

Can you give us a summary of your role?

I chart the path for how we evolve the enablement experience for our partners and customers so they can understand, sell, and use Meraki in a way that’s smart, intuitive, and enjoyable. As we continue to grow and expand into new markets, my goal is to ensure that anyone interested in Meraki can learn whatever, wherever, and however they want.

What’s the impact of our mission to simplify technology?

At Meraki, we’re on a mission to power customers with solutions that are radically simple and intuitive so they can continue learning, connecting, and doing. The world is constantly evolving, and we want to enable solutions that address both the needs we have today and the needs we’ll have tomorrow.

Why is diversity important to the product team?

Our products are used by people all over the world, from all walks of life, and we want the teams building and enabling those products to reflect our customers. The research agrees with us — diverse teams bring fresh ideas and different perspectives, which help us achieve better outcomes.

What role has your manager played in your career?

My manager is committed to making sure I’m set up for success and can leverage my strengths to contribute to our team’s goals. She sees me as a whole person and genuinely cares about me, which makes it easier to bring my whole self to work — which doesn’t happen at many companies. My manager is a true partner and champion for my growth, development, and goals.

What’s your morning routine?

It’s important for me to set an intention for each day. So much is going on that I find it useful to take a step back and think about where my time will best be used and where I can make the most impact. Often, I’ll set my intention while making a cup of coffee and expressing some gratitude for the warmth of the morning sun!

How do you wrap up your day?

I usually make sure I’ve accomplished everything I hoped to do for the day. I like to get clear on the projects, meetings, and ideas I’ll need to focus on the next day. For me, doing my best work starts with a clear head during my free time, so I use the end of each day to prepare for the next. This gives me the context and clarity I need to approach each day with a fresh perspective.

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