Diversity In Action

IBM innovation embraces all races, cultures and genders

The company's fundamental belief is that everyone has something to contribute, and these contributions are essential to driving success at IBM

VP Ron Glover: diverse contributions are essential to driving innovation.

IBM is a globally integrated enterprise focused on innovation. It has a huge IT research organization, with thousands of engineers working at eight labs in six countries.

"We feel our commitment to our more than 350,000 employees and 183 diversity network groups serves as a bridge between workplace and marketplace," says Ron Glover, VP of global workforce diversity.

The global network, he says, "gives us the chance to leverage the ingenuity and differences of perspective and experience of our employees and their representative cultures, languages and geography. Since 1985, more than half our population has been based outside the U.S." IBM employees currently work in seventy-five countries, he adds.

Within the U.S., 31 percent of employees are women and 24 percent are minorities.

"Our first equal opportunity statement dates back to 1953," Glover notes. "It reflects the core commitment of IBM to the people in our organization. Our fundamental belief is that everyone, no matter their gender, race or culture, has something to contribute, and these contributions are essential to driving innovation and success at IBM."

The company has created relationships with diversity-focused organizations across the board, says Glover. "They enable us to identify talented people in every possible diversity and culture, and we're working to move those relationships to partnerships."

For example, IBM has been a strong sponsor of SHPE for years, and has made significant investments to improve outreach to Hispanic students at the university level. "This year we announced a partnership with SHPE and HENAAC to combat inadequacies in our schools at the K-12 level. Using an 'adopt-a-school' approach, IBM employees will encourage interest in math and science, hoping to increase college preparedness and decrease high school dropout rates," as well as what IBM terms "the digital divide."

Hiring and advancement of Hispanics, Native Americans, African Americans, women and people with disabilities are equally important diversity goals for IBM in the U.S.

"At any given moment," says Glover, "IBM.com lists more than 5,000 job postings. We are always looking for people who understand this industry and technology. We strive to keep a good balance between bringing in experienced professional hires, and techies early in their careers to train and develop at IBM."

"We also work to identify people who show potential for leadership roles. When we find them we enter them in a special database so we can monitor and mentor their progress."

Last year IBM invested more than $600 million in employee learning, more than $260 million of it in the U.S. More than 50 percent of employee training is delivered online, but learning opportunities are also created, one person at a time, through IBM's individual development program (IDP), says Glover. "Within IDP, employees engage in regular discussions with their managers about their skills and development needs, in an effort to maintain and advance their careers."

The company has many opportunities for employees to work remotely or choose other flexible work alternatives. "Forty percent of our employees do not enter an IBM building every day, as they are either home-based or mobile," Glover declares.

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