The best ideas from 140 000 people WITH SO MANY avenues available in which to direct research and development funds, how do you identify those areas that will place you in leadership position in the years to come? It`s a question that faces all companies seeking longevity and sustainability, but one is not pushing the question to a team of specialists. Instead, IBM has asked the world and its family to let it know what is important to them and the ideas they have to make these a reality.

Moreover, IBM has committed an investment of up to $100 million over the next two years towards making the best ideas a reality.

Big Blue`s chairman, president and CEO Sam Palmisano has told staff: "With disruptive forces driving a major shift in the IT industry, IBM is in a unique position to recapture the mantle of industry leadership. And our fundamental differentiating value proposition for doing so is innovation. But IBM will not be seen as the premier innovation company in the world the innovators` innovator - simply because we say so. Innovation that matters is something all IBMers need to live. InnovationJam is a great chance to do just that."

SMALL WORD, BIG IDEAS

So what is a `Jam`? Based on the musical version, where musicians come together to create new pieces, IBM`s jamming sessions enable people from all over the world to come together and discuss particular topics in a real-time, online forum.

It`s not the first time that the company has used this technology. In May 2001, IBM first experimented with the Jam as a form of organisational intervention and online brainstorming to get IBMers discussing what they could do to make their jobs, their work life and IBM better. In 2003 the entire company collectively discussed, debated and defined IBM`s core values. The result was the company`s first definition of its values in more than 75 years.

Looking back, IBM SA`s country general manager Mark Harris says: "It was inspiring to watch thousands of people from all over the world, all with different views of issues, jamming together, and coming up with ideas on what can be done to make society better."

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

This time, however, the company has been looking to its future and the solutions that will cement its place on the leader board. Accordingly, IBM has extended invitations to customers, partners, academia and even the families of IBMers to get their take on what is important.

The InnovationJam took place from 24 to 27 July and participants were asked to contribute their thoughts and ideas on four themes: going places - transforming travel, transportation, recreation and entertainment, finance and commerce - the changing nature of global business and commerce, staying healthy - the science and business of well-being, and a better planet - balancing economic and environmental priorities.

Says Harris: "We are looking to explore how IBM`s tools, technologies and capabilities - many never before shared publicly - can be combined with real-world insights to create new ideas and partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to solve some of today`s most important business and societal issues."

A record 140 000 people participated in the InnovationJam, including employees from SA`s Nestl . From here, says Harris, the ideas will go through an idea-refinement process where the best of IBM`s minds will put their minds to identifying those ideas that fulfil the company mantra: "Innovation that matters". In September the InnovationJam will once again go online for further drilling into these ideas.

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

Having received an invite to witness the Jam taking place, the aspect that most impressed me was not the flood of minds being brought to bear on the various topics, but, rather, the collaboration and value that was taken away by the people involved in the Jam.

At any given time, there were problems added to the numerous forums that were being met with solutions that could be used immediately. A person in Australia who was grappling with requirement from the SME sector was supplied with a working solution by someone in India that had already faced the issue, with some additional advice and input from a person in Norway.

Regardless of the ideas that receive the $100 million investment from the company, participants have walked away with ideas and solutions that will help them to survive and work better, today.