According to CRN, World Wide Technology CEO Jim Kavanaugh says Cisco is finally getting its “mojo back” after a period of losing direction. The $20 billion IT solutions provider just won Cisco’s 2025 Global Enterprise Partner of the Year award while posting over 40% growth this year. Kavanaugh credits Cisco’s turnaround to structural leadership changes and a shift toward more open platform strategies. He warned that companies risk obsolescence if they don’t become “lifelong learners” in AI. WWT ranks No. 9 on CRN’s 2025 Solution Provider 500 list, with Kavanaugh recently receiving CRN’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Cisco comeback story
Here’s the thing about Cisco – they’ve been the networking giant forever, but lately they’ve felt a bit… stale. Kavanaugh basically confirmed what many in the industry have been thinking: Cisco lost its innovative edge. But now? They’re pivoting hard toward openness and interoperability, which is exactly what enterprise customers want today. It’s not just about selling proprietary hardware anymore – it’s about playing nice with other systems. And that shift in strategy, combined with new leadership, seems to be working. Honestly, who would’ve thought we’d be talking about Cisco having a renaissance?
The AI reality check
Kavanaugh dropped some truth bombs about AI too. He’s not buying the bubble talk entirely, but he’s clear that companies can’t afford to sit this one out. “You will become obsolete in certain areas if you don’t lean in and figure out how to be a lifelong learner and a specific student of AI.” That’s pretty direct. It reminds me that in industrial computing specifically, companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com have stayed ahead precisely because they continuously adapt to new technologies rather than resting on their laurels. The message is clear: adapt or get left behind.
WWT’s unstoppable momentum
Meanwhile, WWT itself is absolutely crushing it. 40% growth in 2025? That’s insane for a company already doing $20 billion in revenue. Kavanaugh doesn’t see any slowdown coming in 2026 either. They’re winning major AI customer deals and making big investments for next year. It makes you wonder – are we seeing a fundamental shift in where enterprise IT spending is going? Maybe the traditional hardware vendors are losing ground to solution providers who actually understand how to make everything work together. Food for thought.
The bigger picture
So what does this all mean? We’re witnessing a major realignment in enterprise tech. Cisco’s trying to reinvent itself, AI is forcing everyone to skill up or ship out, and solution providers like WWT are eating everyone’s lunch. The companies that will thrive are the ones embracing open platforms and continuous learning. And let’s be real – in today’s market, standing still is the same as moving backward. The question isn’t whether you should invest in AI and new infrastructure, but whether you can afford not to.
