How do you know an IBMer when you see one?

Since joining Greater IBM, I keep running into IBMers unexpectedly. We're everywhere!

Case in Point:
Last week, I was at a meeting with two collaborative business partners. One of the partners is new and is joining us for a creative role in an innovative project. The two key players came to meet us personally, so we could explore how the three organizations would work together to fulfill the vision and goals for this joint venture.

Both of our new colleagues were impressive! It was obvious we had the right people. I was particularly taken with the woman, who will be working in the role of "managing director" of the creative process. She had a confidence, a command of the proposed plan, a recall of detail, and a passionate spirit that made you know she was delivering on every promise she made.

Near the close of the meeting, some reference was made that I had worked for IBM. With that news, her face lit up, "I worked for IBM, too!" she said with great pride. We had fun talking about our careers and I introduced her to the Greater IBM Connection.

I know I saw in her qualities that are not uncommon to IBMers and we appear to be spreading our influences out in the world everywhere. I've started asking questions wherever I go, because this same occurence has happened three times this month. Imagine when all of us arrive here at the Greater IBM Connection.

So, how do you know an IBMer when you see one?

Do you see qualities  we have in common?

Best...
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing Author
Greater IBM Connection
Founder, President & CEO


Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies
IBMer 1970 - 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco

Comments

[Laura Nicholas]

Funny. I bump into fellow IBMers all the time. Having worked in offices from Raleigh to Philly to NY to Boston, many times a familiar name is even dropped. It’s great, like reconnecting with a long lost cousin. What strikes me most is the pride and joy in their IBM ‘blood lines’. There’s also a very kindred spirit, like we're all family—an expectation that you surely must know ‘so and so’ from this office or that division or project. Even if it's been years. That sense of identity and belonging really is pretty strong!

[ethnmcrt]

There are different levels of connectedness ranging form the most intimate family connection to non-connections (like "hey, we both rent videos at Blockbuster! Give me a hug!"). Somewhere in there you find your college alumni, former roommates and, yes, colleagues from prior employers. But when you work at a company as big and venerable as IBM there's some kind additional fabric making that connection, isn't there? I wonder if anyone's ever done a study on this -- i think it might actually qualify as an extension of the brand...

[Laura Nicholas]

Yes. That fabric of course is shared experiences—the IBM culture and all the eccentricities that go with it. A company’s culture is embedded not just in people, but in everything they do, and is intrinsic to their brand. Look what happened to Hewlett Packard a few years ago when their culture The HP Way—in place since the founding of the company—came under siege. The un-doing of the HP Way was mentioned more than once by analysts trying to figure out why the company was in a tailspin those years. So it goes both ways, the brand is us and we are the brand. I bet many alums still use IBM and IBMer to 'define' themselves to others, even if they've been away for years.
-- Laura Nicholas

[Debbe Kennedy, Global Dialogue Center - Former IBMer]

Laura and Ethan,
My regrets for being a little late in joining the conversation --- would you believe I was on one of those "IBM-like deadlines where failure wasn't an option?" This is one of our classic culture traits, don't you think?
I've always been so grateful for learning what it truly means to "execute second-to-none" to make a deadline like the one I was after (however grueling it was in the process :-) Since leaving IBM, I think I appreciated what I learned and experienced much more as worked to grow my own business over the years. In keeping with your comments, I have discovered that there is a "pride" about working at IBM that seems to come through and stay with you.

Like all of us as individuals, companies need renewal from time to time. I remember when the "Basic Beliefs" at IBM were exchanged for seven principles. It was heartbreaking at the time. However, change was needed; new visions were necessary; transformation was required. The UPSIDE...there was nothing more exciting than reading the HBR article about the IBM Values JAM where 300,000 IBMers brought a new set of values for a new a time to life. It made those transformation years well-worth it.

Debbe Kennedy

[Ed Clavel]

How do I sign up? This is great!

[Debbe Kennedy - Women in the Lead INSPIRATION BLOG]

Ed,

Thanks for your comment
Sorry it took me so long to acknowledge it!
Learn more about about the Greater IBM Connection at
http://www.ibm.com/ibm/greateribm/

Happy New Year!

Debbe

[Debbe Kennedy, Global Dialogue Center (former IBMer)]

Ed,

Thanks for your comment
Sorry it took me so long to acknowledge it!
Learn more about about the Greater IBM Connection at
http://www.ibm.com/ibm/greateribm/

Happy New Year!

Debbe

[Paula Patinella]

I always thought it was the eight-bar, stamped across our foreheads, that gave us away...that, and the secret handshake.

[Debbe Kennedy]

How funny!!! I just looked in the mirror. From just the right angle, I see it. :-)

Debbe