The Adobe Story: Lessons Learned in Building a Global Software Company
Charles Geschke, Co-founder, Adobe Systems, Inc.
September 23, 2008 @ 5:30 pm -7:30 pm, LBJ Library Brown Room, 10th Floor
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The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law welcomed Charles Geschke to the LBJ Library on Tuesday, September 23, where he discussed his perspectives on Adobe Systems, a company he co-founded over 25 years ago. From his pre-Adobe days at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center to his experiences navigating the high stakes computer software industry of the 1980s, Mr. Geschke addressed a range of topics that centered on business, technology and innovation in his 90-minute talk with students, professors and other members of the community.
In reflecting back on his experiences in building up the $3 billion software company, Geschke highlighted the challenge of attempting to grow in the face of two industry heavyweights, Apple and Microsoft. He discussed at length the concept of the “Adobe Way” and how key components of it have helped define and grow the company since its inception. Geschke stressed the importance and role of innovation in establishing the “Adobe Way” over the past 25 years. By constantly developing cutting edge products that in turn created new markets, Adobe has cultivated a tremendous customer base while at the same time remaining a step ahead of its competitors. Geschke also discussed the importance of human resource management, asserting that a positive, open, yet focused work environment was absolutely critical in building a reliably innovative software giant.
During the question and answer session, Geschke voiced his concerns over the future of American innovation. Geschke noted that the United States has fallen behind in a number of key metrics related to science and technology, including on basic research spending, PhD. production and R&D as a percentage of the nation’s economy. Geschke addressed questions on the challenges of corporate acquisitions, the strategy behind the “free” Adobe Acrobat Reader, as well as the origins of the name of the company itself (‘Adobe’ was named after a creek near Geschke’s home in the southwest United States).
This presentation is part of the Strauss Center’s Technology, Innovation and Global Security Speaker Series, which brings world-renowned experts to campus to discuss how to sustain innovation and better utilize modern technology to benefit an increasingly global economic and social system.
Charles Geschke.
The audience listened attentively to Dr. Geschke's remarks.
After his remarks, Dr. Geschke answered questions from the audience.
The Strauss Center is nonpartisan and takes no institutional position on any issue. All statements of fact and all expressions of opinion at Center events are the sole responsibility of the speaker.
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