Social networking, IBM style

The concept has evolved from simple beginnings to a dynamic and fluid community that finds value in a number of platforms, including Xing, Facebook, LinkedIn, Orkut and others. Now, this community has a "home base", a site that links Greater IBMers to shared experiences, and allows them to reach trusted sources of information and knowledge.

But, IBM was involved in social and business networking as far back as 2001, when a pilot program was formed. Through the years, we continued to increase the number of activities for our alumni.

Throughout this time our membership was growing steadily. This year, that pioneering services network became part of the growing global network of the Greater IBM Connection.

What is a social community? IBM decided to find out. A team of researchers was commissioned to interview former IBMers around the world. Would they like to get in touch with former colleagues — or reach out to current IBMers?

The answer, overwhelmingly, was "yes" if that network added value and delivered on its claims.

IBM could also see the value of staying in touch with the alumni who were still out achieving business success in the marketplace, perhaps even tapping into that reservoir of talent to fill critical skill sets in today's increasingly complex and global economy. And current employees could benefit from testing their ideas and experiences against those of proven achievers now working in other companies or for themselves.

That was the foundation for The Greater IBM Connection, for current, former and retired IBMers. Less than two years later, almost 50,000 current and former IBMers have identified themselves as Greater IBMers — and the number continues to grow.