SHIFT HAPPENS Ep. 37 - 35 Years. One Handshake: The Cisco & NTT Partnership

SHIFT HAPPENS Ep. 37 - 35 Years. One Handshake: The Cisco & NTT Partnership

From Cisco Podcast Network by Cisco

June 9, 2026 · 1h 3m

About this episode

This episode explores the enduring partnership between Cisco and NTT DATA, highlighting the importance of trust and collaboration over 35 years.

Thirty-five years ago, there was no AI, no cloud, no smartphones—and no contract. Just a handshake. In this special episode of Shift Happens, Jeff Edwards sits down with John Van Der Vyver (NTT DATA) and Tony Meredith (Cisco) to explore one of the most successful and enduring partnerships in technology. What started with a handshake in South Africa grew into a global relationship spanning 50 countries, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100, and helping customers navigate every major technology shift—from networking and the internet era to sustainability, AI, energy, and beyond. But this isn't a story about revenue, contracts, or transactions. It's a story about trust. About showing up when things get hard. About taking risks together, solving problems that matter, and building a partnership that has thrived through 35 years of relentless change. Why Listen? 🤝 The handshake that started it all — and the principles that turned a simple promise into a 35-year global partnership. 🌍 Real stories of innovation and impact — from saving rhinos through Connected Conservation to tackling the next generation of AI and energy challenges. 🚀 Lessons every leader can use — on trust…

People in this episode

Host: Jeff Edwards

Guests: John Van Der Vyver, Tony Meredith

Topics covered

  • partnership
  • technology
  • trust
  • innovation
  • AI
  • sustainability

Keywords

  • Cisco
  • NTT DATA
  • partnership
  • trust
  • technology
  • AI
  • sustainability
  • innovation
  • networking

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cisco, NTT DATA

Places: South Africa

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