Autodesk, the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets, is a Fortune 1000 company headquartered in San Rafael, California.

Goals

Autodesk was looking for an executive education provider to develop a program customized to the software industry that would give its senior leaders worldwide the ability to link strategy execution to financial outcomes, and to develop the financial skills necessary to measure and drive profitable growth. The goals were to deepen financial analysis, interpretation, and valuation skills across the top tier of the organization; to increase alignment of senior managers and their teams with key financial goals and metrics that derived from the company’s strategy; and to create a more sophisticated understanding of how markets and analysts value Autodesk in relation to such metrics. In addition, the program was designed to bolster understanding Autodesk’s acquisition strategy and provide senior management with a shared language to communicate about key financial issues facing Autodesk.

SOLUTION

Tuck Executive Education, led by Faculty Director Professor Anant Sundaram, worked closely with Autodesk’s CFO to create Financial Analysis for Senior Executives. The program was created for the company’s senior managers worldwide—including the CEO and his direct reports. The design features active participation by the CFO, partnering with Tuck faculty to present highly customized teaching materials. During 2006-07, the program was delivered five times in San Francisco, Paris, Hanover, and Boston. Additional sessions are scheduled for 2008.

RESULTS

More than 100 Autodesk executives from across the organization participated in the program in 2007. The company’s senior management now share a common language, skill set, and understanding of key financial concepts affecting their business. Autodesk is especially pleased with the way Tuck customized the program to meet their needs.

Chief Financial Officer Al Castino observed, “As I looked at the content of the canned programs at different schools, so much of it was manufacturing-focused and not very relevant to Autodesk. Tuck’s professors used case studies specifically about software companies and discussed stock valuation, ROI, and accounting principles as they related to our industry.”