If we are to closely examine where this comes from, above the simplistic idea of “they are a mammoth
who can pay for it if it all goes belly up” it’s a fascinating lesson in branding as IBM was known for only
taking on a project if they firmly believed they could deliver what was expected of them, and that they
would stay on to see it through, no matter the consequences and above the monetary motivation.
In other words, they were supremely dedicated to providing quality service to their clients. Leaving
aside the consideration of why that should ever be anything but the norm in business in general, if we
speak to IBMers that have been around “in the olden days”, they will confirm the conscientious stance
was not PR but a strongly held internal belief of only engaging when they believed they could over-
deliver. They -along with most everyone else in technology- would also admit that is no longer the case.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/duenablomstrom1/2018/11/30/nobody-gets-fired-for-buying-ibm-but-they-should/