You are here: Home: Employer insights: IBM: About the organisation
International Business Machines, more commonly known as IBM (and sometimes as ‘Big Blue’), is a major information technology company which provides IT consultancy and services to businesses across the world.
Based in the US, IBM recently celebrated its 100th birthday; it began life as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company in 1911, through the merger of three other companies. In its 100 years of business, IBM has grown into a global giant, generating $106.9bn in turnover for 2011. The company employs over 426,750 staff worldwide, of which around 20,000 are based in the UK.
IBM is organised into 5 main units:
It originally focused mainly on commoditised hardware products such as personal computers, printers and hard drives, but in recent years has shifted towards higher-value businesses like software and services. It serves a wide range of sectors including aerospace, banking, defence, education, healthcare, retail and travel, as well as public sector organisations.
The company is among the largest in its field, which is in itself one of its major strengths; its systems are reportedly used by 70% of companies in the Fortune 500. It also has a diverse product range, which has helped it to remain profitable even amid turbulent times in the IT industry.
IBM has added to its vast size by acquiring more than 100 smaller companies over the past decade, some of the more recent being Ireland-based Cúram Software, software testing company Green Hat and analytics software producer Emptoris.
As well as its main businesses, the company has also worked on various other projects over the years, the most striking of which include:
Its strategy is centred on 4 core areas: growth markets such as Brazil, China and India (where it recently added 3 new regional offices); business analytics and optimisation of data; cloud computing; and its ‘smarter planet’ initiative, which uses intelligent technology to improve business efficiency.
Research and development is also a key growth area for IBM; the company invests around $6m in R&D each year, and is routinely awarded more patents in the USA than any other company, having achieved a record 6,180 in 2011. Some of its latest developments have included a microprocessor that is able to rewire its connections to assimilate new information, in much the same way as a human brain. It is hoped that the technology may eventually be able to learn.
Graduate starting salaries:
Strategic analytics consultant: £32,000
Other programmes: £27,000
PhD graduates (software developer and information developer roles): up to £35,000.
The company operates a flexible benefits programme, which allows employees to choose their own benefits package from a range of options including:
In defining its own culture, IBM is quick to eschew the corporate image often associated with consultancy, describing itself as having a ‘colourful’ and ‘inspired’ environment. Its core values, which it also attributes to its employees, are dedication to clients, innovation and trust. Corporate responsibility is not far behind, as community involvement and charity work is a top priority to which employees are encouraged to contribute.
As for employees (or ‘IBMers’) themselves, they seem to favour the terms ‘friendly’ and ‘helpful’ in describing the company’s culture (or, more accurately, its people). Integral to this sense of community is a global network that connects members of staff with colleagues from around the world. There are more than 100 internal employee networks, as well as an internal social network called Beehive, so there are plenty of opportunities to seek help or advice from others.
The company stresses that a good work/life balance is important and offers flexible working hours. Many current members of staff say flexibility is a defining aspect of the company culture, and a major benefit of working there. Options include:
These are available to the majority of IBM employees across the world; for example, 90% of those working in the UK have access to home working facilities, according to Opportunity Now (a gender campaign from the charity Business in the Community). Employees can usually also work flexibly on an ad hoc basis, for example when they need to go out during the day or leave early.
Employees can usually work flexibly on an ad hoc basis.
Working hours will most likely vary by role and by site, but late evenings and overtime are normally the exception and not than the rule. Most employees seem to work a standard 37.5 to 40 hour week, with a typical working day of 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. However, this depends on the role, as some positions will be based at client sites for as many as four days per week, and hours will probably be determined by clients.
Dress code will also vary by site, and probably by business function. However, many employees (particularly those at the company’s Hursley campus) say that the atmosphere is very relaxed, and they can wear what they like to work.
There is an active social scene at IBM. Even before joining, new graduates and placement students are invited to become members of the company’s Facebook group, as a way of meeting other current and future trainees. And once they start work, there are various events held throughout the year, such as:
Sports and social clubs are also key to IBM’s social side. Some of the clubs available include football, books, tennis, scuba diving and surfing – though these will probably vary by site. For those particularly interested in sports there are also the annual corporate games, which are held over two days every summer.
The company calls its diversity programme Diversity 3.0 in recognition of the changes made to its policies throughout its history (previous incarnations were dubbed Diversity 1.0 and Diversity 2.0). It cites diversity as a ‘competitive advantage’, and says that it aims to expand and improve its own definition of diversity, and to promote diversity wherever possible.
IBM appointed its first female CEO in 2011
IBM’s track record is impressive; it was the first company to expand domestic partner benefits to include gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members of staff, and was ranked No. 7 in the 2011 DiversityInc top 50 companies for diversity. It is also notable that IBM appointed Virginia Rometty as its first female chief executive in 2011, becoming one of few major international companies to have a woman at the helm.
Women currently account for around 28% of all IBM staff and 21% of executive-level roles. While the company doesn’t provide a breakdown of its employees by ethnicity, it has programmes in place to increase the proportion of both women and ethnic minorities in leadership roles. One example is its Blue Talent initiative, a fast-track development scheme to help high-potential women and ethnic minorities progress. There are also dedicated internal networks for minority groups, such as the EAGLE network for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual employees.
Employer insights are written by independent experts with job candidates in mind, helping you research and understand employers.
Copyright of all material written for Employer insights lies solely with GTI Media.
Register for how to get hired advice straight into your inbox
©2012 GTI Media Ltd. Registered in England No. 2347472.
Registered office: The Fountain Building, Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BA UK