Categories: CEOs in the News

Behind Ginni Rometty’s Plan to Reboot IBM

The disconcerting messages started popping up on Virginia Rometty’s screen not long after the IBM chief executive began a webcast to explain to her nearly 400,000 employees in 170 countries how she planned to reorganize the tech giant.

“I can’t hear.”

“I can’t see you.”

“Is this on?”

When the January presentation ended, Ms. Rometty fumed at colleagues, “We’re only the IBM Company—we’re better than this,” according to people who were there. “Get this fixed now!”

That is a directive Ms. Rometty is giving a lot these days as she tries to reinvent the nearly 104-year-old icon while it continues a yearslong slump. International Business Machines Corp.’s sales for 12 straight quarters have fallen from the year-earlier quarter.

Read more: The Wall Street Journal


Chief Executive

Chief Executive magazine (published since 1977) is the definitive source that CEOs turn to for insight and ideas that help increase their effectiveness and grow their business. Chief Executive Group also produces e-newsletters and online content at chiefexecutive.net and manages Chief Executive Network and other executive peer groups, as well as conferences and roundtables that enable top corporate officers to discuss key subjects and share their experiences within a community of peers. Chief Executive facilitates the annual “CEO of the Year,” a prestigious honor bestowed upon an outstanding corporate leader, nominated and selected by a group of peers, and is known throughout the U.S. and elsewhere for its annual ranking of Best & Worst States for Business. Visit www.chiefexecutive.net for more information.

Share
Published by
Chief Executive

Recent Posts

PNC’s Cressman Bronson: ‘We All Get A Break From Somebody’

On this week's episode of the Corporate Competitor Podcast, former baseball player Bronson shares how…

19 hours ago

Volatility Keeping CEO Bonus Pay At Multi-Year Lows, New Report Finds 

Just-released compensation data at private U.S. companies finds CEO bonus pay as a percentage of…

22 hours ago

‘Teamship’ Is The Leadership Skill Of The Future

Lone-wolf leadership doesn't work anymore. Today’s most impactful leaders foster cultures of collaboration and shared…

4 days ago

Manufacturing CEO Confidence Sinks Amid Continued Volatility  

U.S. manufacturers rate current conditions at their worst level since the pandemic, but continue to…

4 days ago

A Strategy For Getting The Right People

An all-star team is the foundation for success. CEO Barrow shares his tool to help…

5 days ago

At CEO Forum In Washington, Little Support For Trump Economic Policies

The annual Yale CEO Caucus drew many of the top names in American business—and little…

6 days ago