James Smith's vision: Thomson Reuters 2.0

“Putting customers first, delivering the solutions they need most and going to market as a unified enterprise: that’s how Thomson Reuters Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jim Smith envisions the next generation of our business,” said a message posted on the Hub internal communications system following meetings in Buenos Aires and São Paulo earlier this month. 

“He described how over the next few years we’ll strive to build a culture where innovation flourishes,” according to the account seen by The Baron.

“Current pockets of excellence will be replicated consistently across the organization and we’ll learn from other industries’ best practices. Jim termed this evolution 'Thomson Reuters 2.0’, and referred to GGO’s LatAm region as a place where this forward-thinking culture is already taking shape.” GGO – Global Growth & Operations – was implemented in 2012 to strengthen the company’s resources and provide information solutions for emergent economies.

“Thomson Reuters 2.0 is about organic growth and being more customer-intimate,” Smith told the managers. “It is a larger market-share version of the company we have today, which we’ll create by being smarter about what it means to be part of an enterprise that does not operate in silos.

“He also talked about a strategic de-emphasis on acquisition activity with a shift to focus on organic growth as being hallmarks of this next stage for Thomson Reuters.”

Smith, pictured, was asked what type of leader this organization would need. His answer, the internal report said, was: “We want to bring in people who are curious, honestly seeking the right answer, and able to park their egos at the door to collaborate and do what’s right for the customer and the organization.” ■