IBM is well known for reinventing itself and adapting well to market, economic, and technological changes. From manufacturing typewriters in the early 1900’s to sophisticated software and hardware for personal computers in the last century, IBM has transformed its business several times, yet it remains fueling its business with the same passion for innovation since its early days.

In 2004, IBM exited the computer manufacturing business and move into the consultancy market. The result of this strategic decision has been very successful and by combining technological and strategic capabilities, IBM is now well positioned to deliver solutions and tackle some of the most challenging problems in the world.

Two interesting programs worthy of close attention are IBM’s Smarter Planet and Innovation JAM.

IBM’s Smarter Planet program seeks to connect things.

Simply put, by connecting devices and systems, the company gathers enormous amounts of information which can be transformed into knowledge and technologies that help create healthier food, cleaner water, safer cities, and less traffic.

Two examples of IBMs projects are shown in these videos:

Smarter Traffic Systems

Click here to view the embedded video.

Smarter Grids

Click here to view the embedded video.

So, no-business-as-usual with IBM either. The company’s “Innovation Jam”, a web 2.0 tool that promotes collaboration from employees at all levels of the organization, has proven to be a precious source of valuable ideas. In 2006, the company invested more than $100 million in some of these ideas, and created 10 new divisions from the proceedings(1).

Thus, leveraging on crowd-sourcing, IBM’s Innovation Jam intends to speed up solutions and stimulates collaboration among all units of the organization.

Innovation Jams are not restricted to business. Their methods, tools and technology can also be applied to social issues. In 2005, over three days, the Government of Canada, UN-HABITAT and IBM hosted Habitat Jam. Tens of thousands of participants—from urban specialists, to government leaders, to residents from cities around the world—discussed issues of urban sustainability.

Their ideas shaped the agenda for the UN World Urban Forum, held in June 2006. People from 158 countries registered for the Jam and shared their ideas for action to improve the environment, health, safety and quality of life in the world’s burgeoning cities (2).

Sources

(1) Venture Beat. IBM’s Innovation Jam 2008 shows how far crowdsourcing has come. October 9, 2008. Retrieved October 31st 2009. http://venturebeat.com/2008/10/09/ibms-innovation-jam-2008-shows-how-far-crowdsourcing-has-come/

(2) IBM Innovation Jam. About Innovation Jam’s. Retrieved October 31st 2009. http://www.ibm.com/ibm/jam/index3.shtml

Related links:

IBM-Smart Work for a Smarted Planet. http://www-01.ibm.com/software/solutions/smartwork/

IBM-A smarted Planet. http://www.ibm.com/ibm/ideasfromibm/us/smartplanet/index.shtml