Why?
In fact, IBM believes that enabling its best employees to perform extra-specialty work in this way helps them develop leadership and problem-solving skills, and collaborate with others. be more efficient, increase loyalty, and attract more millennials (those born between 1980-2000, raised on social media) into the company.
“After joining the program, employees all come back to work with a deeper view of the world and the Company,” Jennifer Ryan Crozier, President of the IBM Foundation told CNBC.
The name of this special program is IBM Corporate Service Corps, started in 2008. Attracting about 5,000 applicants each year, but IBM Corporate Service Corps only "nods" to 10% of the best employees of the Company. . By the end of 2017, IBM sent a total of 3,500 talents to nearly 40 countries around the world.
According to an IBM spokesman, the work these employees "left behind" during their absence cost the company about $400,000 per project. And this total cost has so far exceeded 70 million USD.
However, according to an internal IBM survey, most management levels agree to send the best members of their team to work in developing countries in the hope that they will go further. and “will bring in even higher levels of revenue and profit.”
At the same time, managers who have cut employees into the program (or have joined the program themselves) can also use this time to find out which potential employees are likely to take on more. more responsibilities or take a leadership role during a month of “elite” absence.
Dawn Harris, a division manager at IBM, was sent to the Philippines in 2013 and said her experience there helped her make connections in the tech industry. Harris says the most important thing she received while working abroad was training in a culturally diverse environment - which is so much needed in today's technology sector, but at the same time it is an improvement in skills. communicate.
“The program helps me practice team management skills. I learned that I needed to build and nurture relationships with my employees and friends,” shared Dawn Harris.
Project manager Sharon Denneen was sent to Turkey also in 2013. This is a country she has never worked with before. However, working outside of her "comfort zone" pushed Denneen to exploit all her skills and hidden abilities.
“After returning, in the process of working with employees, I have learned to focus on their abilities rather than imposing my rigid stereotypes on them,” said Sharon Dinneen.
Dinneen adds that working in the new role helps her "challenge her thinking", promotes the use of soft skills such as listening skills and helps her develop more professional knowledge.
After that month-long mission, participants all said that the IBM Corporate Service Corps program made them better listeners in leading the team, according to a companywide survey. IBM company.
8 out of 10 participants said the program increased their desire to have a long career with IBM. And 9 out of 10 employees think this is one of the best leadership development experiences the Company has to offer.
Jennifer Ryan Crozier admits, managers will face many difficulties without good employees for 4 weeks. However, over 98% of the managers surveyed said that the program helps improve teamwork, especially when their team comes from many parts of the world. At the same time, employees after participating in the program return to work more effectively.
Crozier added, this program is a new step forward, helping leaders lead the younger generation better. "Part of the show's meaning is 'you can change the world in very interesting ways'. Therefore, we know for sure that this approach will attract millennials and strengthen their loyalty. Because millennials are always interested in social issues,” she said.
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