How to Build a Successful Company in an Era of Disruption

In this a16z podcast episode, Martin Casado hosts Raghu Raghuram, CEO of VMware, and Jeetu Patel, EVP and GM at Cisco, to discuss leading and transforming large companies amidst technological disruptions, focusing on VMware's disruption of visualization, the rise of cloud containers, and the impact of AI. They share insights on how large companies can stay connected with the front lines, the importance of founder-like urgency for real transformation, and strategies for structuring for speed and scale. The conversation covers tactical approaches to ring-fencing innovation, winning internal adoption, and navigating the infrastructure demands of the AI era, including GPUs, bandwidth, and secure, scalable networks, emphasizing the need for product-led innovation, clear storytelling, and adapting to new user bases.