The document summarizes IBM's Corporate Service Corps program, which sends IBM employees to work on projects in developing countries similar to the Peace Corps. It describes a team of IBMers who worked in Malaysia on projects with two organizations: the Spastic Children's Association of Johor and the Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children's Association Johor. The team helped develop strategies for improving computer education and marketing/fundraising capabilities at the respective organizations over the course of 4 weeks.
In operating in these diverse and wide-ranging markets what are the challenges? Having leaders who are able to adapt quickly to approach and solve diverse problems in a diverse world.
What core competencies need to be developed? Skills of adaptation, flexibility, cultural awareness and resilience.
How can these experiences be mimicked, thereby developing these skills? By placing diverse global IBM teams to solve real business issues in these markets provides real world scalable experiences allowing these leaders to build these competencies and address other societal challenges simultaneously.
By the end of 2009 over 500 participants from 47 countries will have served on 51 teams in 13 countries
Brazil, China, Ghana, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Romania, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey and Vietnam
Significant business opportunity in all countries of operation and with key IBM clients
A Harvard Business School evaluation concluded:
- Individual Impact: improvements in global leadership skills, cultural intelligence and awareness, IBM commitment, and intrapersonal growth
Local Partner / Community Impact: positive business improvement, staff development, expanded network relationships and improved IBM perception
Subject of an HBS MBA case study
#1 media story for IBM in 2008
As it stands the CSC is currently leading the pack in terms of a company’s commitment to a defined and centralized international corporate volunteer program. Others may have some employees in the field, but none can come close to the scale and impact of the CSC.
The Corporate Service Corps can provide three levels of value. Personal, Company and Societal.
All three levels are in-line with IBM being a responsible global citizen and a globally integrated enterprise.
10 IBMers from 9 different countries:
Canada, Germany, Hungary, India (2), Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, USA
Between 3 and 18 years of IBM experience
All with different professional backgrounds, experience, & skills