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IBM continues to invest in its workforce, creating opportunities to equip IBMers for success as global professionals and citizens, providing skills training, collaborative global experiences, as well as health and wellness programmes.
The IBM Corporate Service Corps is part of IBM's efforts to focus on global integration and leadership development within the 21st century context for doing business. In a globally integrated world, work is completed in various countries. Leaders need to be global citizens in order to navigate the complex networks of overlapping cultures, increasingly sophisticated non-governmental organisations, diverse policy environments, changing expectations of business by society, and the business realities in emerging markets.
The Corporate Service Corps is one of three initiatives comprising the Global Citizen’s Portfolio, a suite of investments and programs to help IBM employees enhance their skills and expertise in order to become global leaders, professionals, and empowered citizens in the 21st century workforce. Announced in 2007, IBM's Global Citizen's Portfolio builds on IBM’s extensive programs to support employees in their development, careers, and skills. The programs that are part of the Global Citizen’s Portfolio demonstrate how IBM is addressing core societal, educational, environmental, and workforce issues by providing creative opportunities and experiences to develop global corporate citizens in today's globally integrating world. IBM will benefit from a generation of 21st century global leaders who understand the skill sets required to be globally competitive and can build effective communities around the globe.
Companies focused on Global Integration and becoming Globally Integrated Enterprises may benefit by understanding how IBM is preparing its own employees to be greater global citizens and develop their individual skills, talent, and expertise. Given the growing importance and “sector blur” at the intersection of business, society, and policy, IBM clients can learn about an innovative set of unique programs that demonstrate our leadership in developing global citizens.
From 2008 to 2011, IBM will choose several hundred employees from different countries and business units to participate in the Corporate Service Corps. This program offers high-potential IBM employees a chance to develop their leadership skills while performing community service in strategic emerging markets of Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
The Corporate Service Corps teams employee groups with small and medium enterprises, non-governmental organisations, universities, and governmental agencies to work in select developing and emerging markets for one month on the world’s toughest problems, such as global economic opportunity, environmental challenges, and access to education resources. Projects may range from assisting networks of entrepreneurs and small businesses trying to grow and reach export markets to the utilisation of information technology by communities left behind the digital divide. Project destinations are emerging and developing countries.
Participants gain valuable global teaming experience, accomplished through skills sharing to assist with project assignments, unearthing new ideas and experiences that enrich their understanding, and resolving conflicts. Each team is comprised of 8-10 IBM employees from different countries and business units that span the globe. While the full-time, in-country experience lasts for four weeks, the entire Corporate Service Corps experience is approximately six months, involving extensive preparatory work and a post-service connection back to the business.