Share This Article:

IBM believes a successful social business must combine the use of social technologies with a business culture that promotes transparency, trust and information sharing among the workforce. Where organizations need guidance, and where IBM is looking to channel partners to step in, is in the development of  social policies, governance, and the skills needed for compliance and connecting social technologies to business processes.

At IBM Connect’s launch this week alongside Lotusphere in Orlando, Big Blue is introducing new customer and partner programs and services aimed at developing deeper social business skill sets to address that need.  Included are new technical workshops to improve skills and consulting offerings to support a business culture that “fosters open collaboration and sharing among employees, clients, and business partners.”

Interactive online courses, live support and one-on-one guidance with IBM Social Business experts are among the new social business programs. IBM’s new technical certification programs, meanwhile, are aimed at installation, configuration and day-to-day tasks associated with ensuring smooth and efficient operation of social software solutions.

Sandy Carter, IBM vice president, social business evangelism and sales, told CRN last week that IBM is also further expanding solution provider opportunities with the launch a social business solution authorization program. The program is designed to offer partners higher margins and other benefits when selling IBM social networking products.

The training and technical certification program is being targeted at channel partners working with IBM Connections and other related products, said Carter. Authorization isn’t required to sell social business applications, she said, but IBM partners with “authorized” designations in established areas such as business analytics can earn margins 15 percent to 20 percent above standard margins.

In terms of training, IBM also launched a new workshop in partnership with The Dachis Group aimed at the implementation of IBM’s Social Business solutions for enterprise with additional services from The Dachis Group. The workshop is focused on on the use of social business technology while fostering cultural skills and engagement.

At the same time, IBM continues to foster its future talent bets on turning an already social-networking-savvy student body with the opportunity to learn how to apply social networking technologies to business operations for more efficient collaboration and faster innovation.

San Jose State University is the latest school to sign on for the program, part of IBM’s “The Great Mind Challenge,” offers students tools and coursework to develop collaboration and problem-solving skills while working on real-world business challenges submitted by global corporations and entrepreneurs.

Under the direction of university professors and the support of IBM mentors in the classroom, students build business skills and real-world experience by developing teamwork and collaboration skills, learning how to use IBM social networking technologies, and assessing the social business capabilities and business challenges of an IBM partner organization.

There is already plenty of buzz among solution providers about IBM’s formalization and support for its social business products and solutions, particularly for those looking to earn a larger share of a social business market Forrester Research predicts will grow 61 percent through 2016 to reach $6.4 billion, up from $600 million in 2011.