I’m conducting a little experiment and would love your input .. anonymously or with your name. As IBM doesn’t make laptops anymore, a few people ask me, “So, what does IBM do?” … Yet IBM is still one of the world’s best known brands. That said, what do you think of when you hear “IBM”?
Would be grateful to all who read this post to add their $0.02 to the following 3 questions:
1. When you hear “IBM” what three words immediately come to mind? Why?
2. What business is IBM in? What does IBM do?
3. Would you be surprised to learn that IBM is helping the local police departments find better ways to fight crime? Or that IBM is helping to develop a new rice grain so we can better feed the world? Do these stories change the way you think about IBM? Why?
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In the “old days”, these letters had a meaning of “I’ll be moving!” Employees were constantly being moved to other locations. Of course, the original international business machines doesn’t really apply any longer I suppose. When I worked on some temp jobs (way back when), it was the machinery that was the business in the RTP. I soldered parts on the “Calico” keyboards.
Mom R
ug, the koolaid. It’s dripping from your blog onto my fingers and burning me.
1. horrible leadership chains
2. IBM is in the business of outsourcing skills to countries that have them, but accept lower pay, which is taking advantage. IBM cultivates an atmosphere of “who has the biggest brain and how can I use my power to manipulate, not help”?
3. I would be surprised, but not by much. It’s marketing/PR/business 101: social responsibility. You take land, resources, etc from areas, you need to “give back ” in some way to show you aren’t bleeding the area raw. No, doesn’t make me think differently about IBM at all.
Hey! you asked!
I’d like to comment, but I think I’m very much biased due to my experiences! I will say, though, that while your #3 items are technically true, they are not altruistic aims. IBM does these things based revenue generation; the humanitarian benefits are ancillary to the objective.
I too have refrained from commenting, ’cause you know I understand the research motivation behind your questions – and I a way too ready to toe the party line.
But I totally respect your effort here.
I may be a corporate cheerleader, but I’m also a rockstar.
Lord, I sound like an Enjoli commercial
I have some bacon to fry up.