The Greater IBM Connection Blog

Join The SeeClickFix Challenge on the Smarter Cities Scan

SeeClickFix empowers residents to actively care for and improve their neighborhoods.

Welcome to the SeeClickFix Challenge: Feb 8-21 on the Smarter Cities Scan

Smarter Cities asked if this great new service wanted to use our platform to share user suggestions and success stories on its citizen-powered service. So here’s the SCF challenge: over the next two weeks share your SeeClickFix story.

How can communities and towns put SCF to new uses. Got a question? Use the Ask feature and you shall be answered.  Got something fixed via SCF? Post a story. Fixed something? Do tell.

Already have a Tumblr site? Tag your post “scfchallenge” and we can reblog your contribution straight into the collaboration.

About SeeClickFix. SCF enables anyone to:

• See - spot a non-emergency issue in your neighborhood
• Click - open a ticket describing the issue and what can be done to resolve it
• Fix - publicly report the issue to everyone for resolution

LEADERSHIP: Impossible until it is done

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you seen INVICTUS? I went to see it a second time last week and felt compelled to write about my experience of it, primarily because too few have seen it. Unfortunately, it seemed to be overshadowed by the captivating AVATAR and other holiday escapes.

The film is an uplifting true story about Nelson Mandela's remarkable leadership. You get a front row seat to witness a leader as he invites a nation to EXPERIENCE the "end he has in mind" he holds for their rise to greatness. Morgan Freeman received a well-deserved nomination for a Golden Globe and also an Oscar for his portrayal of South African President Nelson Mandela --- a role, reportedly, Mandela himself chose for Mr. Freeman. It is moving and memorable.

It seems during a time when so much is messed up in both business and society, INVICTUS should be required watching for all leaders and aspiring leaders and anyone interested in creating a better world and society than we know today. Although, the movie chronicles a sports event, it is about something far bigger and richer --- it is about people struggling and questioning one another. Kicking and screaming at first, but coming around again. Coming together. Doing their part. Lifting themselves up and everyone and everything around them. Experiencing the miracle that comes when we UNITE in a kind of oneness that suits our humanity well. As I watched, I flashed on times in my life and work, when I felt this same rush. A few of those were flashbacks from my career at IBM when a team of us reached inside ourselves to do something far greater than we thought was possible.

Before watching the film, I wished I had known both the words of the poem by heart and the story behind it. 

INVICTUS
by William Ernest Henley, 1875 

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

This is the movie trailer that, frankly, doesn't do the film justice, but it will give you a glimpse out of context...

 

LEADERSHIP LESSONS TO SHARE
I wrote down three lessons that were validated in this timely film...

1. SEE DIFFERENCES DIFFERENTLY. Master seeing DIFFERENCES differently so you can see through the eyes of those who are essential to CHANGE --- especially, if they are your "enemies." Understanding what matters to them and genuinely caring about it is important. It sets you free to authentically do your important work.

2. INVEST IN KNOWING YOUR PEOPLE. If you want people to follow you, teaching them to believe in themselves first makes it easier. To do this, invest in knowing and caring about who they are. Then demonstrate mutual trust and respect with every day-to-day opportunity afforded to you.

3. THE POWER OF "THE EXPERIENCE." Helping people experience "the end in mind" --- even for a short while --- makes it easier to take the leader's vision to the next level, step-by-step. It shows people they are in charge of their destiny.

"It always seems impossible until it is done."
--- Nelson Mandela

I hope you see it and stop by to share what you saw in INVICTUS from your vantage point.

Photo Credit: 
One of seven paintings of special leadership influences that hang above my desk. They look over me as I work, always encouraging me to keep moving ever onward. Original oil painting by Sally K. Green.

Best...
Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Contributing author
Greater IBM Connection Blog
Co-Founder, GIBM Women's
International Network for
Leadership (GIBM WIN-L)

Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
BOOK: author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
IBMer 1970 - 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco
Twitter:@debbekennedy   @onlinedialogues

Live from Chatham House

Live from Chatham House.

Image by markhillary via Flickr

Welcome to the…. well that would be telling. Safe to say we have an on the record event from Chatham House in London, UK. IBM CEO, Sam Palmisano will be talking at this members event with an audience that covers business, government, press, influencers and of course, one or two IBMers.

You can follow the events on twitter, where else. #smarterplanet and @ibmevents.

Technorati Tags: london, smarterplanet

New IBM Global Survey of over 32,000 Consumers Today at NRF

A Smarter Planet | Tumblr.

The IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) recently surveyed 30,000 U.S. consumers to understand what is driving spending across several product categories: Grocery, Apparel, Home Merchandise, and Pharmacy, Health & Beauty Care. The survey revealed that consumers who are anxious due to economic conditions rely on retailers they trust.

• Download the complete IBM Institute for Business Value study (291KB) (via IBM - Shopper advocacy. Building consumer trust in the new economy.

"X Chromosomes" Gather for a Fun Evening of Networking in NY

~~~ Sharing an article that was just posted on the IBM intranet (Profiled for NY Area "Work" Tab):

Over 100 current and former IBMers of the X Chromosomes type gathered recently at a networking event in Somers, NY for an evening of drinks, dinner and the opportunity to share personal thoughts and experiences about the value of being an IBMer.

Sharon Nunes, IBM Vice President, Big Green Innovations and Jane Scandurra, a former employee who is back at IBM as a contractor, teamed up recently to host a special networking event for ladies of IBM. Sharon and Jane used to work together in the Life Sciences EBO organization. They are also both members of the Greater IBM Connection, the official social and business network for current and former IBM employees - and the team that Jane is working with now.

The event was a special version of Sharon's X Chromosomes, a network gathering that she's held for a number of years for IBM's female employees, the clever name inspired by the Life Sciences department where she and Jane once worked.

A unique collaboration of current and former IBMers

"Sharon's events were a great way to get to know some dynamic ladies of IBM in a friendly after work setting. I missed being able to attend these gatherings after I left IBM in 2006," says Jane. "So when I came back in June to work on the Greater IBM Connection, I approached Sharon about co-hosting an X Chromosomes event to also include ladies who left IBM.

"These events are important and help keep IBM a close-knit community," said Sharon. "Not only do we get the chance to reminisce with friends, but also with current and former colleagues. And, we have the chance to expand our professional networks."

Inna Kuznetsova, VP, Marketing and Sales Enablement, IBM Systems Software, Systems and Technology Group who also attended, agreed adding, "Networking events like this create a great venue for keeping in touch with former colleagues and fostering new contacts - a perfect foundation for building new business, expanding your view of the industry and creating mentoring opportunities for women across IBM."

Shara Sokol, a former IBMer and now President of her own company, S2 Creative Communications was glad she attended. "I truly enjoyed the event. It was great to actually meet former and current IBMers in such a convivial atmosphere. There was such an exchange of stories, advice and information. There were women who were really proud of their accomplishments at IBM, who were reaching new professional heights in post-IBM positions, as well as current IBM women excited to talk about new projects."

Blue blood runs deep

After dinner, a raffle was held, and Pauline Garry, (retiree 1993) one of the winners, took the opportunity to share her IBM experiences. She grabbed the microphone and told her story about the influence IBM had in her hometown of Susquehanna, PA. "I grew up without a telephone, without electricity, and without indoor plumbing. Where would I be without IBM? When I was growing up in Susquehanna, PA, we knew two things: God and IBM." The Garrys are a true IBM family. Pauline met her husband while working at IBM, and their daughter, Julianne, currently works in Systems & Technology Group Marketing. Click on the video for Pauline's comments.

Diane Topkis, who left IBM earlier this year and has since become certified as a Life and Career Transition Coach is also a member of the Greater IBM Connection." I think the IBM Alumni program is brilliant. Everyone I know who has left IBM has a soft spot for it. Blue blood runs deep - It never leaves you..."

Sharon and Jane plan to host another networking event in the spring of 2010. "Maybe we'll even invite the Y chromosomes to join us next time," Jane said. Jane has also just created a group called "Greater IBMers of Greater NYC" on the Greater IBM community site, where there will be opportunities where IBMers, past and present, can engage in more locally oriented business and social activities.

(Added Note: Stay tuned on developments for the "Greater IBMers of Greater NYC" group...just created, so please join the group and contact me if you'd like to help participate!)

Jane Scandurra

IBMer 1995 - 2006

Co-Producer/Co-Director, "Single"

A Smarter healthcare system: Sam Palmisano’s speech at the 2009 Medical Innovation Summit, Cleveland Clinic

A Smarter Planet.

A Smarter healthcare system: Sam Palmisano’s speech at the 2009 Medical Innovation Summit, Cleveland Clinic

Remarks (as prepared) by Samuel J. Palmisano, IBM Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

A Global Candy Store

When my friend Suzanne Minassian-Livingston described IBM as "like a candy store" at last year's Web 2.0 Expo conference in Berlin it immediately struck a chord with me; and I've reused her slide (based on a Creative Commons-licensed image from a Flickr contributor) many times over the last year.

One of the things I've learned about the company I work for (particularly as a result of getting involved with social software, networks and communities both internally and externally) is the massive diversity the organisation has and the enormous strength that it delivers. It's a diversity that is constantly being refreshed as new acquisitions are made and new thinking and innovation joins the existing talent pool. It's a diversity that's reflected not only in the global nature of the business, but also in the different areas in which the company is engaged - from hardware, software, services, methodologies, research, all kinds of cool thinking. It seems lately that almost every day I meet someone new who has something different to share with me.

Yesterday I was presenting to a customer about what IBM has been doing internally with social networks, and how we collaborate both internally and externally. That brought me back to the diversity slide - the sweet shop, the candy store. What was really cool about that was that it enabled me to tell the story of how I'd widened my network internally, and began to reach out to people across the organisation - making friends in Boston, Melbourne, Singapore, Delhi, all over the world as well as around the UK, and from all different areas of the business. One of the things that I learned as part of the briefing the IBM team delivered yesterday was about IBM's green strategy and Project Big Green - I'd heard about it before and been excited, but I learned a lot from one of our VPs about a number of different client stories where value and environmental improvements have been delivered.

It's just incredibly exciting. That, and that the fact that there's always something new to learn, coupled with the rich cultural diversity and the enormous amount of trust that I feel that the organisation places in its employees, is really what makes it such an enjoyable place to work, and that I believe makes it a really strong organisation.

Andy Piper, social bridgebuilder, IBM Hursley

Home: http://andypiper.co.uk | Twitter: @andypiper

IBM Opens Advanced Analytics Center in Washington, D.C.

A Smarter Planet.

IBM Opens Advanced Analytics Center in Washington, D.C.

IBM announced the opening of the sixth in a network of analytics solution centers - this one dedicated to helping federal agencies and other public sector organizations extract actionable insights from their data.

The new IBM Analytics Solution Center in Washington, D.C., will draw on the expertise of more than 400 IBM professionals. These will include IBM researchers, experts in advanced software platforms, and consultants with deep industry knowledge in areas such as transportation, social services, public safety, customs and border management, revenue management, defense, logistics, healthcare and education

IBM Health Analytics Center Launches in Dallas

IBM Launches Healthcare Research Center — InformationWeek

Dallas facility will focus on how field data from hospitals and clinics can be mined to produce better patient outcomes.

IBM has opened a research center dedicated to developing tools that will allow healthcare professionals to more efficiently use data in medical decision making.

The company’s Health Analytics Solution Center, based in Dallas, will employ more than 100 experts in healthcare analytics, technical architectures, and other, related specialties.

What's the most popular Webcast on Greater IBM?

When it comes to popularity, the current all-time leader title for Webcasts on Greater IBM clearly belongs to Stephen M. R. Covey's "The Speed of Trust" Webcast in September 2009. More than 2,500 current and former IBMers registered for that one (a replay will be available through the Community Site through  November 17, 2009).

Stephen M. R. Covey's best-selling book on the power of trust to transform relationships has made an impact in businesses and organizations around the world. In the September Webcast, Stephen showed why trust matters - and how applying the principles of trust can result in solid, bottom-line, measurable results.

On November 18, 2009, Stephen's Webcast for Greater IBMers will take the insights - and practical advice - to a new level. This presentation, entitled "Who Trusts You?", offers:

• How to integrate the four cores of trust in your life
• How to build credibility in your words and actions
• How to "know trust when you feel it"
• How to gain a clearer picture of others' character and competency
• How to build self-trust
• How it all starts with you

Interested? You can register for the Webcast with Stephen M. R. Covey on the Greater IBM Community Site or visit www.greateribm.com to hear Stephen's personal video invitation to Greater IBMers. You can also view the Stephen M. R. Covey introduction to Part 2 on "The Speed of Trust" on YouTube.