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  • June 2017
  • Teaching Note
  • HBS Case Collection

IBM Transforming, 2012–2016: Ginni Rometty Steers Watson

By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Jonathan Cohen
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:20
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Abstract

Ginni Rometty, who became IBM CEO in 2012, led efforts to transform the company around cognitive computing and the AI platform Watson. This Teaching Note helps instructors understand and teach the Harvard Business School case “IBM Transforming, 2012–2016: Ginni Rometty Steers Watson,” which examines Rometty’s leadership of systemic change at a large company confronted with significant strategic, operational, and cultural challenges. Lessons include how to improvise and find the best business strategy in uncertain times, how to manage internal tensions between mainstream businesses and newer ventures, ways to orient and align organizational elements to meet new business goals, when and how to use hard and soft power as a leader, and what role a CEO can play in the large-scale transformation of a big company.

Keywords

Digital; Technological Change; Artificial Intelligence; Data; IBM; Watson; Internet Of Things; Innovation and Invention; Management; Sales; Information Technology; Technological Innovation; Transformation; AI and Machine Learning

Citation

Kanter, Rosabeth Moss, and Jonathan Cohen. "IBM Transforming, 2012–2016: Ginni Rometty Steers Watson." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 317-126, June 2017.
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About The Author

Rosabeth M. Kanter

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