I thought that I would never think that way about this company, but it looks to me that IBM is lost, without any concrete plan and vision for the future. Do you feel the same?
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Some sad stories in history that I hope we are not writing about IBM someday. This is a story about DEC’s downfall, but I see some similarities with what has been going on at IBM. https://www.sigcis.org/files/Goodwin_paper.pdf
Lost in outer space....no kidding!
They asked for 3 words to describe IBM in the survey in the months before I left/retired = I gave them the 3 best words I could dig up: "Lost it's way"
Glad I am gone and very happy where I landed (raise+bonus)
They been lost for the last 20 years! Soon IBM will be in the history book.
It was Lou Gerstner himself who came up with that classic quote:
"The last thing IBM needs right now is a vision."
In many ways, he was right...he simplified the organization (getting rid of a lot of deadweight in the process) and focused the company on core strengths and execution.
IBM's core strengths at this point are centered around the mainframe...mainframe hardware, mainframe software, and various mainframe-centric service offerings. They've gotten out or are getting out of every other line of business. They'll continue to make money, especially from legacy customers, but growth is questionable IMHO.
Also I do not think Rob Thomas is the smartest cookie to be running software
I agree that there is a lack of product vision. A shakeup would at the top would be helpful, but unfortunately, maintaining shareholder confidence trumps all logic at IBM.
Cloud Paks!
Mainframe... that is the only plan.
Lost in space. After all it's the last time they were relevant.