IBM to increase women execs by 20%

IBM India will launch custom-made training programmes for its potential women leaders in technology and sales to create an accelerated leadership pipeline in these two segments traditionally dominated by men.

The Indian arm of the 100-year-old US-based technology major aims to increase the leadership pool of women in technology by 20% and in sales by 15% in the next 18 months through these programmes christened TechAcme and SalesElan.

Anupama Ambe, chairperson of India Women Leadership Council (IWLC), IBM India, says the move has been prompted by the attitude of young women who are becoming more adventurous in moving to new roles. "The 20-somethings are more inclined to innovate.

We are tapping this ability through these programmes," she says. Another reason is that more and more decision makers among IBM's clients are women, says Ambe. IWLC is responsible for putting together IBM India's women-centric programmes.

TechAcme and Sales-Elan will complement the firm's succession programme for women in general management that started in 2009. More than 6,000 women have participated in the firm's leadership programmes since 2006. "Leadership development is not just about training, but we will also give business opportunities to these women, mentor them and provide executive sponsorship," says Ambe.

IBM last month elected Virginia M Rometty as the firm's first woman chief executive officer. She will succeed Samuel J Palmisano as president and chief executive officer from January 1. Palmisano will remain chairman of the board. Chandrasekhar Sripada, IBM vicepresident and HR head in India and South Asia, says having a healthy diversity ratio in leadership will lead to greater innovation and creativity at the workplace and a better understanding of the marketplace.

Women account for more than 30% of entry-level workforce of the technology industry in the country, according to industry body Nasscom, but less than 4% women reach the CXO levels. IBM has identified women having 6-8 years experience to become part of its leadership pipeline.

Technology leadership programme TechAcme will focus on women in technical functions such as architecture and database administration, while SalesElan will be a multi-tier programme across all levels and business units.

SalesElan-which will add to the existing Sales Eminence programme for building basic selling skills-has been designed by Rometty, currently IBM senior vice president and group executive for sales, marketing and strategy.