This is another post which is probably obvious but hopefully not. If you would like to look at Citrix annual reports from 2000 to 2007, please visit the Annual Reports page. Years ago I learned that the most interesting statements are made related to risks. Competitors are clearly identified and potential pitfalls are revealed. It is also written how much the executives are compensated and how. For any serious investor it is important to examine the details. It is also good for employees to better understand the bigger picture.
Live near Brisbane, Australia. Software developer currently focused on iOS and Android. Avid Google Local Guide
Red Circle Blog 
Jeff,
PERFECT!!!! You hit it in the nose my friend. I think it is imperative that all IT people understand what the numbers mean. I know many IT (inlcuding me many years ago) people that shy away from those discussions because it can be difficult for a day-to-day operational IT guy to quantify the costs of IT initiatives.
Business is, has been, and always will be a game of numbers. The big league players are the people who understand what all those numbers mean. If any IT person wants to be taken seriously and be seen as a key player in the company’s success, then they need to not only know what the annual report says from the beginning of the report around the business, risks, competitors, etc to the real numbers in the back and the notes to those numbers.
Cheers
Michael
The annual report is one of the few places that full disclosure is enforced. Therefore it is also the best place to find out things that a company might normally want to hide.
It gives a really realistic view of what is going on inside the company and also how the money is spent.
It is not as hard to understand as it seems. Most of the language is straightforward and could be understood by most.