Dealing a Rigged Game The case study concerns Pete Miller, CEO of National Oilwell Varco (NOV) since 2001. Miller acquired over 200 companies, each with a strategic tie to the oil producing industry. The company now has a dominant share of the market for offshore drilling equipment, a segment of the industry that reported the most orders ever in 2013. NOV stands to capitalize on all segments of the future oil industry the actual building of the drilling rigs, jack-ups, and ships that have to go offshore and do the drilling. Management Update: In November 2013, Pete Miller announced he was stepping down as NOVs CEO to serve as executive chairman of DistributionNOW Case Question: Recall our definition of strategy as a comprehensive plan for accomplishing an organizations goals.

Explain why NOVs approach to acquisitions qualifies as corporate-level strategy. Be specific by discussing the companys moves, the nature and state of the industry that its in (drilling equipment and services), the nature and state of the industry to which its closely related (oil and gas drilling), and, most importantly, its goals. What are NOVs goals?