Strengths:
1. IBM has high quality and efficient employees who satisfy all the customers’ needs and want.
2. IBM is a well-known brand name in the world.
Weaknesses:
1. IBM seems to focus only on big companies whereas there are a large number of small and medium companies around the world.
2. They are exploring new products in complex markets which might make changes difficult.
Opportunities:
1. Offering new technologies in developing countries.
2. This initiative includes new ways of thinking.
Threats:
1. There are potential securities risks.
2. A shift to custom-made technological solutions.
*The relevant trends to consider for the next three to five years are:
Environmental trends:
1. Fewer trade barriers.
2. The growth of developing economies like China, India, Brazil and Africa.
Customer trends:
1. All the technologies are connected.
2. Custom-made solutions to all the technological problems.
2. Three ways IBM can communicate its strategy to companies, cities, and governments are: 1. Sam Palmisano sent out a message “Letter from the Chairman”, describing how the Smarter Planet initiative represented an infusion of intelligence into the way the world actually works.
2. IBM also used a print and television advertising campaign to add detail to Palmisano’s message.
3. Website information which includes videos, statistics, and industry reports.
Watson, an artificial intelligence program, was also used as a part of the communication strategy. Watson was featured on the game show jeopardy, competed against two different contestants and won both times. So featuring it on the television was a way to show millions of people and convey the message.
3. The benefits of the smarter planet initiative are:
a. To society:
1. Providing solutions for forward-thinking organizations that share a common outlook, they see change as an opportunity and they act on