Lip-Bu Tan:Cadence's (not so) secret weapon

摘要

Lip-Bu Tan was thrust into the role of chief executive officer of Cadence Design Systems Inc.-initially on an interim basis-on October 15, 2008, the darkest day in the 20-year history of the electronic-design-automation (EDA) firm. Reigning CEO Michael Fister and four executive vice presidents had just resigned at the behest of the company's board, and Cadence was in trouble. In the weeks and months to come, Cadence would cut hundreds of jobs, post staggering losses and, after being No. 1 in EDA for the better part of two decades, be overtaken in sales by rival Synopsys Inc. Drowning in red ink and with its credibility and product devel-opment capabilities in ruins, Cadence appeared to be adrift.