consulting business

IBM History

By Gloria Taylor 29 April, 2023 3 mins read

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IBM is a major name in technology. The company has a rich history. The company was started in 1911. To celebrate its centenary, 100 people were featured in a series that explains the company’s contributions to society. Joe Pytka, an influential commercial director, directed "100x100" while Errol Morris (a Academy Award-winning documentary film maker) shot "They Were There". It also featured music by Philip Glass.

ibm's Hollerith punch card

The Hollerith punch card for IBM was inspired by a system that was used in textile mills as well as other industrial processes back in 1725. Joseph Marie Jacquard was inspired to use this method to create silk portraits. Semen Korsakov stored information using punch cards in 1832. IBM's Hollerith Punch Card would be used by Semen Korsakov to store information. It would also record census data.

The alliance between IBM, Nazi Germany and other companies began in early 1933. Many Nazi-era enabling technology were developed by the subsidiaries of the company. For the German government to be able to quickly identify Jews and target them for destruction, it needed a reliable way. This was made possible by IBM's Hollerith punch card machines.

Magnetic stripe from ibm

IBM's history with magnetic stripes begins with an engineer trying to create a way for magnetic media to be attached to plastic cards. He had heard about magnetic tape and thought it might be easy to combine the two, but his wife suggested a different solution. She suggested melting magnetic stripe onto a plastic card. IBM was the first to utilize this technology for commercial purposes.

The company was looking to develop a system for financial and personal identification. They needed a way to decode personal information and make it easier to find the data. A team of researchers was assembled to create a system that could do exactly this. IBM adopted magnetic stripe technology following the completion of their research and began rolling-out employee ID cards.

IBM's original computer

Arthur Rackham, born April 5, 1911, was a key leader in the introduction of IBM's computers. He was an entrepreneur and a mathematician who studied at Drake University, Iowa State College, Columbia University, and MIT. Later, he became the head of IBM's research and development division.

The United States Air Force requested that IBM develop an electro-mechanical bombsight during World War II. However, IBM was still unsure about the future of electronic computer computing. Tom Watson, Jr., felt then that IBM was not moving fast enough toward electronics. He came up with an idea for an electronic computer to perform scientific computations.

IBM's research

The IBM Archives showcase the company’s achievements and progression over the years. IBM currently employs 195,000 professionals in technical fields and has 350 Distinguished Engineers, 60 IBM Fellows, and currently has 195,000 Technical Specialists. NetObjects Technologies, CommQuest Technologies were acquired by the company. Many of its products have been used in the business sector.

Sales rose steadily for the company. Wall Street saw it as a giant. In 1984, the company's profits jumped by nearly $16 billion. The IBM Corporation was a perennial favorite of Wall Street. IBM was also perceived as the only company capable of competing with Japanese companies. It even became the subject of a best-selling book.

IBM's stock purchasing plan

The IBM Stock Purchase Plan, a retirement plan that allows eligible IBM employees the opportunity to purchase common stock of the company, is called the IBM Stock Purchase Plan. In the beginning, IBM employees received 85 percent of the market price for the first and final business days of offering periods. IBM modified the terms in 2005. Participants can now buy full or fractional shares IBM stock at a 5 percent discount from the average price on the day.

You can resell shares bought under the Plan at any time. Sometimes, the process can be stopped entirely. The shares can be purchased on the open-market or treasury.

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FAQ

Can anyone be a Consultant?

A consultant is someone who can help you reach your goal by providing advice on ways to make things better, more cost-effective, etc.

A consultant can help you solve problems, make decision, or negotiate with people.

For specific tasks or projects, consultants are often hired.

Consultants are often paid per hour or daily rather than per project.

What degree do I need to become a consultant?

You can become an expert in any subject by learning the subject thoroughly, then applying what you have learned.

Start studying today if you want the skills to be a great manager!

A degree without relevant experience may make it difficult for you to be hired. If you can show that your education is comparable to the job applicants, you may still be eligible for employment.

But remember, employers will always look for candidates with real-world expertise.

What qualifications does a consultant need?

It is not enough to have an MBA degree. You must also have experience as a consultant. Two years experience should be gained in consulting or training for a major corporation.

Your experience in strategy development projects requires that you work closely with senior managers. This requires you to feel confident presenting ideas to clients, and getting buy-in.

You'll also need to pass a professional qualification exam such as the Chartered Management Institute's Certified Management Consultant (CMC) certification.

Why should you hire consultants?

You might need consultants for a variety of reasons.

Perhaps your company has a specific problem or project you need to address
You want to improve your own skills or learn something new
You'd like to work in conjunction with an expert in a specific field
There is no one else available to handle the task
You feel overwhelmed with all the information you see and don’t know where it is.
You can't afford full-time employment

Referrals are the best way for you to find a qualified consultant. Ask around if anyone knows any reputable consultants. Ask someone you know who is a consultant for his/her recommendations.

If you choose to use online directories such LinkedIn, make sure to use the "Search People” function to locate consultants in your area.

Who hires consultants

Many businesses hire consultants to assist them with their projects. These consultants can be found in small and large businesses as well as government agencies, universities, educational institutions, non-profits, and education institutions.

Some consultants work directly for these organisations, while others freelance. The hiring process will vary depending on the complexity and size of the project.

You will likely go through multiple rounds of interviews when hiring consultants before you choose the candidate you feel is the best fit for the job.

What are the benefits of consulting?

Consultants are able to pick when and where they want to work.

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You also have the freedom to change your mind at any time without fearing losing your money.

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Statistics

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