218. Cisco Systems CFO on M&A, geopolitics, and the emerging AI opportunity

Scott Herren is the CFO of Cisco Systems, while Eric Kutcher is the Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. They dissect Cisco's strategic acquisition of Splunk, shedding light on its financial and cultural implications. The conversation delves into the challenges of the current economic landscape and the crucial role of AI in fostering productivity across industries. Herren emphasizes the unique impact CFOs have in driving change through effective storytelling, navigating both technological advancements and geopolitical tensions.