CEO's Growth Pitch for 3M Proves Hard Sell

When the normally ebullient George Buckley delivers 3M Co.'s fourth-quarter results on Thursday, he risks winding down his career on a feeble note.

The St. Paul, Minn., conglomerate, slowed by weakness in Europe and sluggish demand in some electronics markets, is expected to fall far short of its ambitious sales-growth goals.

That's a setback for Mr. Buckley, a native of Sheffield, England, and 3M's chief executive, who has sought to supercharge the company's shares by touting its growth potential.