What is so special about the Big Blue?

This week Shankar had an idea that #bankingonKarMa should write about Mala making a career change. “You are a true blue IBMer” So why don’t we write about it, he said. So here is Mala’s story…

?I joined IBM 17 years back as a technical project manager handling what was then called ‘offshore’ project delivery. As I step out today, I looked back at that young lady who entered here a little unsure of herself but confident only of her tech skills. IBM has been so instrumental in changing that young lady, making her grow in leaps and bounds in confidence levels, style of communication, leadership skills, consulting skills, even personal swag but most importantly somehow being comfortable in her skin even in the most uncomfortable situations while repeatedly dealing with complexities in the unknown.

So, what is so special about the Big Blue you ask?

IBM for me has been a marathon run and not a series of short sprints.

"The person who starts the race is not the same person who finishes the race."

This is one place that knows no limits to your growth and learning, if you only allow that happen to you. It is as empowering as it can be daunting too. It is a place for the self-starters, it is the place for someone who is always curious and teachable. It is the place for the integrator, the collaborator, the inventor, the thinker and the do-er in you.

?For those of you who are considering Big Blue as a future employer, this is what you need to know

?1.???Where else can you make your own personal brand internally and externally, irrespective of your day job or even using your day job too?

2.???The ‘machinery’ (process, system, departments) is something you can hide behind or the machinery is something that you can use to your advantage

3.???When you learn to use the power of the machinery to your and your client’s advantage, literally sky is the limit to your growth and the elephant will dance to make you successful

4.???Your manager only matters in the initial settling in period, after that he/she is only a catalyst, you can decide to run the marathon your way, you will always have different groups cheering you along the way and supporting you with sustenance and motivation.

5.???There are so many avenues for you to seek what you would traditionally seek from your manager only

6.???Continuously re-skilling, re-inventing yourself over the years practically changing your entire professional profile is something that you can do with ease here

?For me this quote on running Marathons best describes some of the complexities that IBM has had me tackle

?"You can never be sure. That's what makes the marathon both fearsome and fascinating. The deeper you go into the unknown, the more uncertain you become. But then you finish. And you wonder later, 'How did I do that?' This question compels you to keep making the journey from the usual to the magical."

?I cannot write about my career in IBM without talking about nearly a decade of wonderful opportunities to envision and lead complex transformations in the India market.

“India teaches me again and again, that the categories into which I try to divide things don’t hold up.”

“Whatever you can rightly say about India, the opposite is also true”

Anyone who has envisioned and executed transformations in the diverse Indian landscape will resonate with this. The thrill of improving the quality of life of the average Indian, watching the expansion of the financial inclusion net due to technology - one click at a time and getting the gratification of seeing that happen right in front of you, in something that you need to experience.

It is these experiences walking the corridors of the various financial institutions that has built the strong partnership and friendship that resulted in #BankingonKarMa. The stories in the various blogs, the experiences that we share, all come from here.

Finally, for the women- IBM has always been way ahead of its times when it comes nurturing diversity. Over here diversity is not just a right thing to do, but also makes complete business sense. Diversity means growth, doing good and doing well go hand in hand here.?IBM will watch out for you, you go girl!

To be able to draw deep and pull something out of yourself is one of the most tremendous things about the marathon.", IBM trains you for this, hence wherever you go, the IBMer in you will go with you.

With a lot of reverence towards where I come from and where my path may lead to next, I step forward, with some uncertainty and some confidence too.?Willing to be vulnerable, learn and re-invent myself all over again. Dealing with the unknown is something I am equipped for - so life bring it on!!!!

?Cheers,

?BankingonKarMa

You can also follow on Twitter: @shankarsundar & @harika_mala