Electronic Promises

The $ 9 billion global services company recently announced the setting up of a 100 per cent Indian subsidiary, Schlumberger Measurement and Systems. The company is now focusing on marketing electronic transaction products such as smart cards, terminals and complete systems in India.

A frequent visitor since 1963, the country's economic progress prompted Baird to set up shop in India. The changes in the Indian economy may not be as spectacular as those in the economies of the Asian tigers. But India's biggest strength is her consultative democratic process where changes take place very slowly, but surely, opines Baird.

Baird himself seems to be a strong believer in moving slowly and surely. Instead of switching jobs to rapidly ascend the corporate ladder, Baird chose to stay loyal to Schlumberger. He joined the company in 1960, after completing a Masters in Geophysics from Camberidge University.

 

I have stayed with Schlumberger because it is the only truly international company in the world. An American multinational will probably have an American chief at its helm. But Schlumberger is different. If you can tolerate a Scottish chairman, you can tolerate anyone, he laughs.

Baird's colleagues reveal that the sprightly 59 year-old Scot stays fit by playing 11 games of squash at a stretch, besides being a keen golfer. On this visit, Baird is accompanied by his wife Angelica, a writer and columnist in a leading Danish daily.