More Alumni Core Connectors For Global Rollout

IBMer, Jack Mason, IBM Strategic Communications, The Greater IBM Connection Executive Producer

As we're gearing up for the launch of the full Greater IBM program throughout the fall, we're continuing to beat the bushes for IBMers past and present to become part of our elite group of Core Connectors, the heart of our launch strategy.

Please contact us if you're interested in joining this vanguard, or know people who would be good candidates. We're especially interested in engaging more IBM alumni, and more Greater IBMers beyond the U.S. Send us a note at greaterIBM@gmail.com.

As we've learned from our social networking expert colleages, people like Kate Ehrlich, the key to igniting a robust and sustainable community is to start with a few hundred well motivated and gregarious people who will serve as the seeds for this human ecosystem.

Kate also pointed out that the value of a social network depends more on the number of interconnections between members rather than on just on the number of members. So one of the goals with the phalanx of Core Connectors will be not only to invite current and former IBMers into the network, but to introduce and interconnect members, and build up the "social capital" that comes with actually getting to know and trust other members.

Another insight we've heard from many quarters is that for a corporate alumni network to succeed--especially one that aims to bring current and former IBMers together--it must first be of great practical and personal value to alumni...because without serving their interests, well, there is no network. As always, this blog is a platform for surfacing those interests and ideas from alumni, so fee free to share yours here, in comments or by submitting a full post.

That's not to suggest that IBM has no self interests in reaching out to the hundreds of thousands of Greater IBMers around the world, whether working or retired, merely that we need to think of the alumni community as a kind of client, and live one of IBM's core values --dedication to every client's success--as we create this new vehicle for collaborative innovation.

To give alumni strong incentives to become part of Greater IBM, we're reaching out across the company to develop attractive features, such as job opportunities with IBM partners or with IBM itself; ways for alumni to plug into IBM's Venture Capital Relations network and our Emerging Business Opportunities unit; and even the pontential for Greater IBM to offer services to help companies or organizations lead by IBM alumni to more rapidly test, prototype or pilot new services, global IT infrastructure or even business models.

But all of this still comes back down to bringing current and former IBMers together to connect, communicate and collaborate.  And that's where the call for Core Connectors needs to go out around the world.

Finally, to give some specific sense of what's expected from core connectors, we've been sharing this checklist with our virtual team.

Connect With Other Connectors

• Attend one of the core connector briefing events/mixers planned for EMEA, AP & Americas in Sept/Oct 
• Nominate alums and current IBMers who should be invited as core connectors

Drive Viral, Organic Growth Through Personal Invitations

• Invite former and current IBMers into the network, especially those with large social networks (Super Connectors), interests in using net for business innovation (Sales/New Business Drivers) and those interested in social networking itself (Mavens)
• Encourage new members to invite their contacts into network

Build the Network's Practical Value Through Introductions & Advice

• Make introductions  to connect members for business and innovation opportunties

• Help new members take advantage of network features like events, member searches, job opportunties, and other IBM innovations we're planning to integrate into the network

Catalyze Collaborations & Create Projects

• Start Innovation Initiatives related to one's work (i.e. I'm going to focus on building two subcommunities: one around nanotech and another related to virtual communities such as Second Life)
• Start and participate in the forum dialogues, post news, share ideas

Greater IBM alumni Emerging Market Core Connectors