In this episode of Shift Happens, host Jeff Edwards sits down with Emma Carpenter, SVP of Recurring Revenue Acceleration at Cisco. From her global journey across Avaya, Palo Alto, and now Cisco, Emma shares how partners are the key to unlocking customer value in a recurring revenue world.
They dive into:
•	Why transformation—not disruption—is the mindset shift we need
•	How Cisco is enabling partners through the Customer Value Journey
•	What the Cisco 360 Partner Program means for long-term success
If you're navigating Cisco's partner landscape or driving outcomes for your customers, this episode delivers the clarity and energy to keep moving forward.

Shift Happens - Episode 9: Customer First, Partner Always: Cisco’s Roadmap to Value

In this episode of Shift Happens, host Jeff Edwards sits down with Stephen Tessitore, Cisco’s Global VP of Partner Marketing, to explore the “accidental” yet ambitious journey from sales to leading global partner marketing. Stephen shares how today’s marketing is being reshaped by AI, hyper-personalization, and brand differentiation — and why the Cisco 360 Partner Program represents the biggest shift (and opportunity) in partner programs in 20+ years.
From building authentic brands to balancing AI efficiency with human connection, this conversation offers practical insights for partners navigating change and rethinking their value in the market.

Shift Happens - Episode 10: AI, Authenticity, and the Biggest Partner Shift in 20 Years

Ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about distribution? 🤔📦 it's AI, security, scale, and the secret sauce behind partner success.
In this episode, Jeff Edwards sits down with John Brookbank, VP of Partner Sales for Americas Distribution at Cisco, to talk career curveballs ⚾, the evolution of Cisco 360 🔄, and why distribution might just be the OG "large language model" for partners.
👊 From landscaping to leading, from Avaya to Cisco, John's journey is packed with insights, leadership lessons, and one very real superpower: aligning people to execute big visions.
💡 Listen in for:
•	The biggest myths about distribution (and the truth behind them)
•	How AI + security open massive opportunities for partners
•	Why execution is everything ("a vision without execution is a hallucination")
👉 Grab your coffee ☕, hit play ▶️, and let's make shift happen!


Shift Happens - Episode 12: AI, Security & Scale: Why Distribution Is Cisco’s Secret Weapon

Change is never easy… but it’s where the magic happens.
In this special edition of Shift Happens, host Jeff Edwards sits down with Rhonda Henley live from Las Vegas at Cisco GSX 🎰 to unpack the evolution of Cisco the Cisco 360 Partner Program and what it means for partners, growth, and trust in times of transformation.
You’ll hear about:
•	🔄 Why change feels messy (aka “sausage-making”) but leads to big payoffs
•	🤝 Building trust + transparency with partners through the Cisco 360 Partner Program
•	🚀 How new leadership and bold moves are shaping the future of Cisco + its ecosystem


Shift Happens - Episode 13: From Trust to Transformation: 20,000+ Friends, One Mission ft. Rhonda Henley

20,000 people. One huge transformation.
Live from Cisco GSX in Las Vegas 🎰, Jeff Edwards sits down with Jose Van Dijk, who leads the EMEA Partner Organization, to talk about the Cisco 360 Partner Program and what this evolution means for partners navigating change.
You’ll hear about:
•	🔄 How partners across EMEA are adapting to Cisco 360 Partner Program
•	💡 Why simplifying the program unlocks new opportunities for growth + profitability
•	🤝 Building deeper, more strategic conversations with partners
•	🌍 The power of trust, training, and transparency across diverse regions

Shift Happens - Episode 14: EMEA Partners, Rising Fast - ft. Jose Van Dijk

The APJC theater is on the rise 🌏. In this episode of Shift Happens, Jeff Edwards sits down with Kartika Prihadi at GSX to unpack how the Cisco 360 Partner Program is reshaping opportunities for partners across Asia Pacific.
✨ You’ll hear about:
•	🤝 Co-designing the 360 Partner Program with partners, not for them
•	💰 Profitability clinics + data-driven growth plays
•	🚀 How APJC partners are leaning in and rising fast
Bold moves, real talk, and a clear look at why the APJC theater is driving the future of the Cisco 360 Partner Program.

Shift Happens - Episode 15: Bold Moves, Big Growth: APJC ft. Kartika Prihadi

We're back with another power-packed highlight reel of our favorite conversations. In this episode, Jeff revisits big shifts shaping the partner + customer ecosystem:
🦸 Managed Services as the #1 driver of profitability
💡 The Customer Value Journey redefining outcomes
🤖 AI in marketing-finding balance between machine + human touch
🚚 Distribution as a growth lever, not just "pick, pack, and ship"
Cisco partners aren't just moving products-they're delivering business outcomes. This episode dives into how we scale that impact with managed offers, recurring revenue, and partner-led innovation.
⚡ Don't miss the insights from Andrew Wozniak, Leonard Thompson, Emma Carpenter, Stephen Tessitore, and John Brookbank.
🎧 Listen in, get inspired, and remember: Shift your mindset. Shift your strategy. Shift into action.
Let's make shift happen!


Shift Happens – Episode 17: Best Of…Profit Engines and Game Changers

What does it take to build durable growth in a $5.4 trillion tech market? 💡
In this episode, Jeff Edwards sits down with Gwendolyn Brantley, Cisco’s Director of Software & Service Sales for the Americas Partner Organization, to explore how AI, ecosystem partnerships, and premium services are reshaping the way customers buy, consume, and renew technology.

🎙️ Key takeaways:
• How AI and complexity are redefining customer expectations
• Why “meeting customers where they are” demands an ecosystem mindset
• The role of the Cisco 360 Partner Program in driving durable, recurring growth
• Why adoption accountability and premium services create happier customers
• Gwendolyn’s leadership superpower: The Connector 🕸️
If you lead teams, work with partners, or thrive on turning market shifts into opportunity—this one’s for you.

👉 Listen now and make shift happen.


Shift Happens- Episode 18: AI, Ecosystems, and the Future of Partner Success

The Cisco Podcast Network is a collective of podcasts from across Cisco spanning technology to culture and everything in between. Hear from Cisco customers, partners, and Cisco insiders on the topics that matter most to you. Email us with your feedback and suggestions. Discover your favorite playlists today!

New tracks tagged #cisco360partnerprogram