Ibm: Change Toward a Brighter Future
The computer industry continues to be an increasingly competitive market. With a severely unstable economy, it is important for a company such as IBM to find new ways to service its clients by making changes within its organization in order to remain competitive. IBM needs to examine where it has come from, look at current trends and needs, and decide where it wants to go. From there, IBM can develop a strong strategic plan based on the information collected and steer its business in a path toward a brighter future.
History of IBM
IBM’s history dates back to the early 1900s. According to IBM Archives: 1910s (2009), IBM was originally called Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (C-T-R) which was founded in 1911 by Charles F. Flint. In 1917, C-T-R opened up another segment of the company in Canada known as International Business Machines Co., Limited. The main focus of the company in the beginning was providing large-scale, custom-built tabulating equipment for businesses. Under the direction of Thomas J. Watson, the general manager, the company implemented effective business tactics such as “generous sales incentives, a focus on customer service, an insistence on well-groomed, dark-suited salesmen and an evangelical fervor for instilling company pride and loyalty in every worker” (IBM Archives: 1910s, 2009, ¶4). He doubled the company’s revenues and expanded its operations to Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia (IBM Archives: 1910s, 2009).
Continuing to grow, the 1920s would show more change. To meet customers’ demands, the company would start off the decade by introducing new technology: the lock autograph recorder, the first complete school time control system, and the Electric Accounting Machine (IBM Archives: 1920s, 2009). C-T-R also acquired two more companies: Ticketograph Company of Chicago and Peirce Accounting Machine Company (IBM Archives: 1920s, 2009). They developed The Carroll Rotary Press in 1924 which produced punch cards (IBM Archives:
History of IBM
IBM’s history dates back to the early 1900s. According to IBM Archives: 1910s (2009), IBM was originally called Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (C-T-R) which was founded in 1911 by Charles F. Flint. In 1917, C-T-R opened up another segment of the company in Canada known as International Business Machines Co., Limited. The main focus of the company in the beginning was providing large-scale, custom-built tabulating equipment for businesses. Under the direction of Thomas J. Watson, the general manager, the company implemented effective business tactics such as “generous sales incentives, a focus on customer service, an insistence on well-groomed, dark-suited salesmen and an evangelical fervor for instilling company pride and loyalty in every worker” (IBM Archives: 1910s, 2009, ¶4). He doubled the company’s revenues and expanded its operations to Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia (IBM Archives: 1910s, 2009).
Continuing to grow, the 1920s would show more change. To meet customers’ demands, the company would start off the decade by introducing new technology: the lock autograph recorder, the first complete school time control system, and the Electric Accounting Machine (IBM Archives: 1920s, 2009). C-T-R also acquired two more companies: Ticketograph Company of Chicago and Peirce Accounting Machine Company (IBM Archives: 1920s, 2009). They developed The Carroll Rotary Press in 1924 which produced punch cards (IBM Archives: