~~~ Sharing an article that was just posted on the IBM intranet (Profiled for NY Area "Work" Tab):

Over 100 current and former IBMers of the X Chromosomes type gathered recently at a networking event in Somers, NY for an evening of drinks, dinner and the opportunity to share personal thoughts and experiences about the value of being an IBMer.

Sharon Nunes, IBM Vice President, Big Green Innovations and Jane Scandurra, a former employee who is back at IBM as a contractor, teamed up recently to host a special networking event for ladies of IBM. Sharon and Jane used to work together in the Life Sciences EBO organization. They are also both members of the Greater IBM Connection, the official social and business network for current and former IBM employees - and the team that Jane is working with now.

The event was a special version of Sharon's X Chromosomes, a network gathering that she's held for a number of years for IBM's female employees, the clever name inspired by the Life Sciences department where she and Jane once worked.

A unique collaboration of current and former IBMers

"Sharon's events were a great way to get to know some dynamic ladies of IBM in a friendly after work setting. I missed being able to attend these gatherings after I left IBM in 2006," says Jane. "So when I came back in June to work on the Greater IBM Connection, I approached Sharon about co-hosting an X Chromosomes event to also include ladies who left IBM.

"These events are important and help keep IBM a close-knit community," said Sharon. "Not only do we get the chance to reminisce with friends, but also with current and former colleagues. And, we have the chance to expand our professional networks."

Inna Kuznetsova, VP, Marketing and Sales Enablement, IBM Systems Software, Systems and Technology Group who also attended, agreed adding, "Networking events like this create a great venue for keeping in touch with former colleagues and fostering new contacts - a perfect foundation for building new business, expanding your view of the industry and creating mentoring opportunities for women across IBM."

Shara Sokol, a former IBMer and now President of her own company, S2 Creative Communications was glad she attended. "I truly enjoyed the event. It was great to actually meet former and current IBMers in such a convivial atmosphere. There was such an exchange of stories, advice and information. There were women who were really proud of their accomplishments at IBM, who were reaching new professional heights in post-IBM positions, as well as current IBM women excited to talk about new projects."

Blue blood runs deep

After dinner, a raffle was held, and Pauline Garry, (retiree 1993) one of the winners, took the opportunity to share her IBM experiences. She grabbed the microphone and told her story about the influence IBM had in her hometown of Susquehanna, PA. "I grew up without a telephone, without electricity, and without indoor plumbing. Where would I be without IBM? When I was growing up in Susquehanna, PA, we knew two things: God and IBM." The Garrys are a true IBM family. Pauline met her husband while working at IBM, and their daughter, Julianne, currently works in Systems & Technology Group Marketing. Click on the video for Pauline's comments.

Diane Topkis, who left IBM earlier this year and has since become certified as a Life and Career Transition Coach is also a member of the Greater IBM Connection." I think the IBM Alumni program is brilliant. Everyone I know who has left IBM has a soft spot for it. Blue blood runs deep - It never leaves you..."

Sharon and Jane plan to host another networking event in the spring of 2010. "Maybe we'll even invite the Y chromosomes to join us next time," Jane said. Jane has also just created a group called "Greater IBMers of Greater NYC" on the Greater IBM community site, where there will be opportunities where IBMers, past and present, can engage in more locally oriented business and social activities.

(Added Note: Stay tuned on developments for the "Greater IBMers of Greater NYC" group...just created, so please join the group and contact me if you'd like to help participate!)

Jane Scandurra

IBMer 1995 - 2006

Co-Producer/Co-Director, "Single"

When my friend Suzanne Minassian-Livingston described IBM as "like a candy store" at last year's Web 2.0 Expo conference in Berlin it immediately struck a chord with me; and I've reused her slide (based on a Creative Commons-licensed image from a Flickr contributor) many times over the last year.

One of the things I've learned about the company I work for (particularly as a result of getting involved with social software, networks and communities both internally and externally) is the massive diversity the organisation has and the enormous strength that it delivers. It's a diversity that is constantly being refreshed as new acquisitions are made and new thinking and innovation joins the existing talent pool. It's a diversity that's reflected not only in the global nature of the business, but also in the different areas in which the company is engaged - from hardware, software, services, methodologies, research, all kinds of cool thinking. It seems lately that almost every day I meet someone new who has something different to share with me.

Yesterday I was presenting to a customer about what IBM has been doing internally with social networks, and how we collaborate both internally and externally. That brought me back to the diversity slide - the sweet shop, the candy store. What was really cool about that was that it enabled me to tell the story of how I'd widened my network internally, and began to reach out to people across the organisation - making friends in Boston, Melbourne, Singapore, Delhi, all over the world as well as around the UK, and from all different areas of the business. One of the things that I learned as part of the briefing the IBM team delivered yesterday was about IBM's green strategy and Project Big Green - I'd heard about it before and been excited, but I learned a lot from one of our VPs about a number of different client stories where value and environmental improvements have been delivered.

It's just incredibly exciting. That, and that the fact that there's always something new to learn, coupled with the rich cultural diversity and the enormous amount of trust that I feel that the organisation places in its employees, is really what makes it such an enjoyable place to work, and that I believe makes it a really strong organisation.

Andy Piper, social bridgebuilder, IBM Hursley

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