Following is a great interview with recently departed IBM chief Sam Palmisano. The interview is with Wharton management professor Michael Useem. He talks about the importance of catching the shifts in technology, with the value IBM have always placed on this ability, and of course the near death experience they suffered by missing that shift a few decades ago. With IBM betting big on enterprise social media it would appear they regard that as a significant shift.
Anyway, here's the interview. Enjoy.
Stocks rose and IBM became a Wall Street wonder, but at a cost of hundred of thousands of jobs lost, mostly from the States. I was there to witness it. Same cut expense and heads left and right, mostly at the expense of employees who ended up staying do to a severe recession. Palmisano padded his pockets and should be ashamed of himself how he treated employees.
Sam Palmisano was/is brilliant at cost cutting and buy backs. A good steward does not a leader make.