Thread regarding IBM layoffs

OK folks. I made my prediction 4 days ago. Number 3 has happened and is in the process of getting implemented. Can anyone say NEW CEO before the end of 2019. (This is Ginni’s swan song). My guess is she has been tasked with getting Number 1 and Number 2 (see above) done in the next 6-12 months to help pay for RedHat and to re-focus IBM on Number 4 (see above). All I can say is it’s about time!!!!

Well they look like buying early ....

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/ibm-to-acquire-software-company-red-hat-for-us-34-billion-10873136

Having been either a buyer of IBM solutions, an executive at an IBM partner, and other roles I have the benefit of seeing the beast in very different contexts. About 3 weeks ago I had a frank discussion with a few IBMers and there was one consistent thread:

“Our customers don’t know who IBM is anymore.”

Yes, they tossed the PC and laptop line, then the server line… and now they’re becoming the ubersolutions company - we are the blockchain, we have 3000 Ph.D’s just doing research, we have Carly! But who’s the customer buying those solutions?

In the good old hardware (and software, dbase, etc.) days there was one buyer for an IBM solution and he (typically) was clear to identify in the IT department. The salespeople new the tech lingo and they knew the language that their customer understood. But in going the solutions route IBM have forsaken that CIO in favour of the business decision maker.

Case in point, they’ve been trying to sell a railway scheduling solution into the local operator for close on 3 years. Why hasn’t anyone bought it yet when its so desperately needed? In my humble opinion its because IBM have stuck to a technology banner but are trying to sell business solutions. The business guy is confused and scared of the tech, and the CIO is scared of the impact that a failed solution will have on his career. Remember this isn’t just about data anymore - a failed scheduling solution costs lives and millions of dollars in infrastructure. IBM don’t know who’s actually able to make the decision anymore.

IBM have convinced themselves that they are reinventing their future but somewhere along the line they’ve stayed an IT company trying to sell business solutions. And in the minds of their customers they no longer know how to do business with good old Big Blue. (maybe because its now more azure? :P )

IBM is not dead. But seemingly its trying to get there.

stop listening to your managers for one, grow a pair

Oh I see - you have faith in IBM to make these changes. That would mean the CEO and Board would have to admit they made mistakes. Never happen. They on set on their course and Queen Gin will get her retirement bonus check, live a good life on a beach sipping drinks and sharing stories with Bob Nardelli among others. IBM is dead, dying, gone. The IBM I remember understood business strategy very well indeed, well, that was under Akers so already tainted. LOL

As long as there are foolish investors willing to lose 25% on the dollar, incompetent management

(9 levels to the CEO) will continue to drive the company into the ground.

Don’t be fooled, they are paid very well for their clerical duties! Go IBM!

What a joke.

So the other major tech companies report stellar earnings for 2Q and IBM cannot meet weak expectations. The executive leadership team is weak and should be fired. This is a disgrace for what once an American icon. I would not touch this stock even with a juicy dividend. And neither would Warren Buffett, one of the greatest investors of all time.