The Greater IBM Value Proposition

From The Greater IBM Social Network Wiki

What is The Greater IBM Connection? A new program for IBMers past and present around the world that enables them to access a network of thousands of other former and current IBMers. Greater IBM is a people-powered, interactive community, a relationship exchange and a network for social innovation.

What's In it for a Former IBMers? An IBM heritage has long been a source of pride for those who have worked at IBM. Now its also a valuable resource that you can tap.

• Connect with former colleagues, locally and globally
• Communicate and expand your social network via live and online events
• Collaborate on special projects or pilots, find a job, a candidate, a supplier, or generate new business contacts

What Other Services Does Greater IBM Offer? Social networking is not about technology....it's about people and relationships. Greater IBM's main portal on Xing enables members to make introductions to one another, form connections, learn about each other through personal profiles and ultimately meet each other through the network's event calendar.

As Greater IBM grows, we expect to offer alumni increasingly rich content and features and information from across IBM:

• News, briefings, early access to reports, papers, surveys
• Exclusive collaboration programs and opportunities to participate in pilot programs, research and beta tests

Meanwhile all members, including alumni, can use the network to do the same: organize a local, in-person get together, or host a teleconference, webinar or e-meeting to share and discuss with other Greater IBMers.

Online, In-Person and In-World In addition to our online and in-person activities, Greater IBM also has an exciting new headquarters in the virtual world called Second Life. Greater IBMers who are interested in this exciting, 3D realm can meet and interact through our Virtual Connection Center.

Why is IBM Building Greater IBM? Alumni IBMers are smart, accomplished and involved in every facet of society. New technology, tools and techniques have enabled us to build a rich and productive network together that will benefit alumni participants as much as it will IBM and current IBMers. Innovation today requires collaboration, and is more global and open than ever before. Together, alumni and current IBMers can utilize this network to advance our individual business interests and work together as a powerful group in new ways.

What Makes Greater IBM Special? You The real promise of Greater IBM is to encourage all members of this global ecosystem to become participants and collaborators: first to help build and shape this new kind of network so that it is of great practical and personal value for all members. But second, and maybe more important in the long run, to empower this community to do things together that we couldn't do apart. Especially in areas of great societal import such as healthcare, sustainable energy and new avenues of business and global innovation.

What Can You Do To Help Your Network Grow? Every member of Greater IBM benefits when the community grows. And the best ways for it to grow is by members inviting in others they know, and by all contributing a bit of their time, energy and good ideas to make Greater IBM come to life. Time is invaluable to all of us, but by devoting some of our time to helping this community grow, we each benefit.