IT Powerbrokers

Character in ActionChell Smith, CapGeminiThe match takes place sometime between now and the November elections, Standing within the ring, a rowdy politician raises his fists and shouts out the name of various consulting leaders.

Suddenly, the arena goes silent as all eyes fall upon a slim figure that emerges beside the ring. A steady murmur can be heard at ringside as the crowd struggles to identify the person they suspect is about to step into the squared circle. "Who is this consultant?" they ask each other. And why would she choose to participate in such a match? Indeed, while many consulting leaders have been summoned, it appears that few are willing to step into the ring. But for Chell Smith — leader of global operations, CapGemini — success has always come from taking risks. In Smith's world, success is a moving target, and a very individual one. In her own words, success comes from "emphasis on the right thing, at the right time, as defined by me."

Such words may strike a chord of irony among colleagues who routinely identify Smith as the ultimate team player, and they surprisingly seem out of sync for a firm that has made the ready collaboration of its people the cornerstone of a new global branding effort. It's an effort long overdue, considering that at the time of CapGemini's 1999 marriage to Ernst & Young, E&Y rival BearingPoint was still operating as part of KPMG LLP, and E&Y rival Accenture, then known as Andersen Consulting, was still enthralled in a bitter divorce battle with Arthur Andersen.Still, the passage of time appears to have paid CapGemini a few dividends. One of these — few would disagree — is the elevation of Chell Smith to head of global operations. Finally, this globally dispersed and French-owned firm has found a consultant whom all of its far-flung constituencies feel comfortable standing behind. This is no small development for a firm that prides itself on collaboration, and yet has struggled to emit the singular voice global clients wish to hear. Few doubt that this voice now belongs to Smith.