Ann Livermore, head of Hewlett-Packard’s storage and servers, software and services businesses, has faced decisions in her company that might have sent some executives heading for the door. But despite deals that cut into her territory, she keeps her focus on the big picture, on the challenges at hand, and on new opportunities for growth. It’s all part of knowing that “business is a team sport,” she says.
That sentiment isn’t common among business leaders these days. Many senior executives are more focused on their individual well-being than on furthering their company’s goals. They’re quick to jump to new employers when they don’t feel appreciated.
Some outside HP had speculated that Livermore was unhappy about relinquishing part of her portfolio after the company announced plans to acquire Electronic Data Systems, based in Plano, Texas, an IT outsourcing company. Under the agreement, the outsourcing portion of HP’s services businesses — about 13 percent of the group she runs — will become part of EDS under its current chief, Ronald Rittenmeyer. Rittenmeyer will report to HP CEO Mark Hurd.
She says she’s staying put. “This isn’t about me,” she said in an interview. “It’s about doing what is best for HP. It makes sense to combine all outsourcing businesses — and with a merger this big, for EDS to report directly to Mark,” to ensure the best integration.
This doesn’t mean the 49-year-old Livermore has taken a place on the sidelines. Her division reported $37.7 billion in revenue last year, or 36 percent of HP’s total. Her office at HP’s Palo Alto, Calif., headquarters is about 20 feet from her boss, Hurd, who describes her as “one of the best executives I know. She’s running a huge business and doing that very well.”
Livermore helped develop strategy for the EDS deal with Hurd. Like him, she…