Imposing a hierarchy on a gaggle of techies

Article Abstract:

Carol Bartz, former Sun Microsystems vice president, is now CEO, president and chairman of Autodesk Inc. Autodesk has 70 percent of the sales for computer-aided design (CAD) software and had revenues of $275 million in 1991, but Bartz hopes to make it a billion-dollar company by the end of 1997. Autodesk was formerly run by hackers without a traditional management structure, but Bartz was hired because of decline before 1991, and she is implementing a management hierarchy. Some employees are unhappy with the changes because former colleagues are now mandating management decisions that everyone used to make. Bartz has talked informally with employees and has found that a majority did not want to return to the old system. Autodesk's sales and marketing departments are glad to have a leader. Bartz's plans for growth center on expanding Autodesk beyond its microcomputer market and into computer-aided manufacturing (CAM).

Autodesk Inc., ACAD, Employee Relations, Attitude, Bartz, Carol

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Aldus founder to give up two jobs

Article Abstract:

Aldus Corp founder, Pres and CEO Paul Brainerd relinquishes his present offices to assume the post of chairman, while COO Sandy Smith resigns after her office is eliminated. Brainerd says the change of positions will allow him to focus more on strategic planning and developing a vision of Aldus's future, less on quotidian operational details. Industry analysts think Aldus needed a CEO with fresh insights to help regain market share from rival desktop-publishing software vendors. Brainerd says that Smith, who as COO was responsible for marketing, product development, operations and finance, did not have all the skills needed to replace him as president and CEO. The person who assumes Smith's duties will now report to the CEO under the management reorganization. The Heidrick & Struggles executive search firm is looking for Brainerd's successor.

Corporate directors, Leadership, Chief operating officers, Competition, Reorganization, Aldus Corp., ALDC, Chairmen, Brainerd, Paul

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Chairman of Ashton-Tate resigns from top positions

Article Abstract:

Edward M. Esber, Jr, 37, steps down as chairman and CEO of Ashton-Tate Corp. Esber will be replaced by William P. Lyons, 45, as COO and president, and by Carmelo J. Santoro, 48, as non-executive chairman. No CEO has been named. Ashton-Tate had a loss of $979,000 for the quarter ended Mar 31, 1990, compared with earnings of $11.5 million, or 44 cents a share, for the same period in 1989. The main priority for the company is to ship its 1.1 version of dBase IV, a database whose original version experienced several flaws. The success of the new version of dBase IV is considered critical to the company returning to profitability.

Executive, Computer Software Industry, Financial Stability, Losses, Ashton-Tate Corp., First Quarter, Esber, Edward M., Jr., Santoro, Carmelo J., Lyons, William P., Silicon Systems Inc., SIL

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