Mckinsey Conversations with Global Leaders: Andrew Gould of Schlumberger

A PR I L 2010

McKinsey conversations with global leaders: Andrew Gould of Schlumberger

Schlumberger’s CEO reflects on the future of oil, the importance of investing in R&D, and the lessons he’s learned about leading a borderless company.

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Andrew Gould, CEO the latest in our interview series McKinsey conversations with global leaders

The downturn: A silver lining The Quarterly: There are often silver linings in these crises. What are some of the opportunities you saw throughout this crisis for Schlumberger? Andrew Gould: The biggest effect in Schlumberger has always been the fact that we

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The Quarterly: How important, in that whole light, is the big acquisition of Smith for Schlumberger? Andrew Gould:

In the industry: Greenland and Iraq The Quarterly: We are now at the beginning of 2010—what’s your current short-term outlook to next one or two years? Andrew Gould:

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The Quarterly: energy market? Andrew Gould:

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The Quarterly: In the context of a changing-energy world, do you see any changes for

Andrew Gould:

The big picture: Global rebalancing The Quarterly: We see that, over time, the emerging markets are going to account for a large part of the world economy. What have you done in the past to be such a strong global player, and what are some lessons you can share for other companies that want to globalize? Andrew Gould:

The Quarterly: in some of the emerging markets in Russia and China. Andrew Gould:

The Quarterly: And in China, in that context, you have an enormous engineering and research— Andrew Gould:

Business in society: Ethics and climate change The Quarterly: There are a number of groups that think that business has to have a bigger role in society and a bigger responsibility than strictly business in society. Do you see some of those requests on Schlumberger? Andrew Gould:

The Quarterly: And the alternative-energy sources? Andrew Gould: Hard Truths

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every source

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Hard Truths:...