Adobe is one of the world’s largest enterprises, whose ubiquitous software technologies are used by professionals in most industries. Creating an illustration, editing a YouTube video, or designing an application would be incomplete without the touch of Adobe softwares. The man behind the immense success of Adobe is none other than Shantanu Narayen.
Shantanu isn’t just the CEO of Adobe; he is a board member of Dell Inc and the University of California. If this wasn’t impressive enough, let us tell you that he was a member of the Management Advisory Board of the President of the United States, Barack Obama. Under Shantanu’s leadership, Adobe became an industry leader and the Most Admired Company by Fortune.
Here is Shantanu Narayen’s success story from being an ordinary man who grew up in Hyderabad, India, to being the Director, President, Chairman, and CEO of one of the leading IT companies in the world.
Shantanu Narayen – Biography
Name
Age
Hyderabad, India
Shantanu Narayen is the Chairman and CEO of Adobe, which is currently one of the largest and most diversified software companies in the world. Shantanu is the driving force behind making Adobe an Industry Innovator and leader in the software marketspace. Under his guidance, Adobe achieved record revenue and industry recognition for its inclusive, innovative, and exceptional workplace.
The Adobe CEO is known to motivate its employees to unleash their creativity and accelerate productivity. He has been a keynote speaker at several industries and academic events.
A holder of five patents says,
His father owned a plastics business while his mother taught American literature.
Earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering from Osmania University in Hyderabad.
He moved to America to pursue his master’s degree in computer science.
1986 – Received a master’s degree in computer science from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
1993 – Acquired MBA from the Haas School of Business, University of California, from Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
1986 – Started working for a Silicon Valley start-up, Measurex Automation Systems.
1989 to 1995 – Joined Apple’s senior management positions.
After which, he joined Silicon Graphics, taking over the product development roles.
1996 – Co-founded a company called Pictra Inc which was said to be a pioneer in digital photo sharing over the Internet.
It was through Pictra that he was introduced to Adobe.
1998 – Shantanu joined Adobe.
Became the Senior Vice President of its Worldwide Product Development.
2005 – Promoted to the role of President and COO.
2007 – Bagged the role of Chief Operating Officer (CEO) at the age of 45.
2017 – Became the board chairman.
When asked about his career growth in an interview, Shantanu said that he never calculated his career development
Unlike his peers who took career paths after doing their MBA, he dint want to do the same as he believed that “If it feels right, it should work out.”
He helped reinvent the company by moving its creative and digital document software franchises from desktop to Cloud.
The company’s stock was increased to almost 20 times ($200 billion) after Shantanu was named the CEO.
Appointed as the Vice Chairman of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum and sits on the Pfizer and Dell Inc board.
2011 – A past member of the U.S. President’s Management Advisory Board, appointed by Barack Obama.
Throughout his career, he received titles such as World’s leading executives, Barron’s World’s Best CEOs, and the Top CEO by Glassdoor based on employee feedback.
2019 – Recipient of Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India.
2018 – Won the Economic Times Global Indian of the Year Award.
2018 – Ranked 12th on Fortune’s “Businessperson of the Year” list.
2019 – Named one of the ‘World’s Best CEOs’ by Barron’s four times in a row.
He was and still is an industry innovator. Has been the driving force behind the company’s strategy to unleash creativity for all and power digital business.
The company plans to put out the test version of products such as Creative Cloud Spaces, which offers a place for teammates to organize files, and Creative Cloud Canvas, which lets people display their design work to teammates. They are also planning to test web versions of popular softwares such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
CEOs like Shantanu have exceptional qualities like a clear vision in which they want to steer their business. They have the ability to pursue a goal with enthusiasm, teamwork, and providing inspiration and motivation to all their employees. And this was the successful journey of Shantanu Narayen. You can take some aspects of his life and adapt them to your work life. We hope you enjoyed reading this information.
Show some love!
Subscribe to Newsletter
Stay up-to-date with the latest tips & strategies. Get additional discounts & alerts on offers.
Related Articles
Subscribe to Newsletter
Stay up to date with the latest marketing, sales, and service tips and news.
Enter Your Details