Global information technology player, IBM, has selected 100 employees across 33 countries, including 20 from India, for specific projects under its Corporate Service Corps (CSC) initiative, launched as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) drive. These 100 employees are being sent to emerging and developing countries to address core challenges confronting society in fields like education and environment.
Mamtha Sharma, head, corporate community relations, IBM, says the largest number of employees chosen from the Asia-Pacific region is from India. "IBM will send 600 of its top professionals over the next three years to emerging countries where they will apply their skills and expertise to help build local business and encourage them to act globally," she says.
IBM has also teamed up with three NGOs, after a competitive bid process involving 32 global NGOs, to focus on volunteer placement of private sector professionals. These include the Citizen's Development Corp based in Washington D C, Canadian-based Digital Opportunity Trust, and Australian Business Ventures.
"The NGO partners are a key part of the programme's success, in helping identify the right projects and local organisations where IBM's teams using the skills they currently possess, can have the most impact," said Sharma.
Prior to departure, the IBM teams will engage in three months of preparatory work to learn about local customs, culture, language, project goals and the socio-economic and political realities of the places they will visit.
After their country service, employees will share their experience in their home communities and with the company.
Its pilot batch will be sent to Ghana, the Philippines, Romania, Tanzania, Vietnam and Turkey. IBMers (as its employees are referred to) will form 12 teams of approximately nine people per team from different backgrounds, culture and skills. They will work on specific projects in Ghana, Vietnam, the Philippines, Romania and Tanzania to overcome local socioeconomic challenges. In Ghana, the team will train the small and medium enterprises in industrial, science, cultural arts, and educational institutions to improve business development skills.
In the Philippines, IBM volunteers will promote rural industries, conduct market enhancement programs and socio-economic development to develop and ensure long-term sustainability.
The team will also work on ways to speed the growth of rural small and medium enterprises of that region. In Romania, the team will run business development programmes focussed on tourism and the supply chain which it supports (business network building; business skills/training; regional market access).
In Tanzania, they will assist entrepreneurs within FINCA - a microfinance network - with training and technology usage. In Vietnam, the team will promote medium enterprises by developing program plan, situation analyses, and skills training for Danang Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Finally, in Turkey, the team will build the capacity of local chambers of commerce and city councils by designing and implementing local initiatives to promote economic, social and democratic development.
