But where is IBM? Hello! Thank you for inviting me to speak here, thank you Susana! My name is Peter Kofler. (The Code Cop is my brand, but that is another story.)
Code for Food: I am a hard-core software developer and coding since age of 13. I am writing Java applications, client, server, you name it. I still like to write code if I am allowed to.
"Outside": When I came to IBM two years ago, I did not know much about it. Except that IBM was 100 years old and that it had invented the PC. How do you think is the perception of IBM from a developer's view?
"Suit": Most developers see IBM as suits, "shit-sellers", manufacturers of extremely expensive and inflexible tools. Developers do not choose IBM, but their management does. There is much whining.
Wrong Way: After a year at IBM, bluewashed ;-), I saw that this is not always true. Many of our tools are powerful and simply amazing. The perception of these developers is not correct, but how should they know?
Software Developer Community: IBM is not present outside the business world, e.g. in local software communities. I know many people active in the Vienna software scene, but none are from IBM. But there are many opportunities to get in touch with the developer community.
"User Group": For example there are several user groups in Vienna that meet each month. Usually 20 up to 50 people are attending these meetups. It is a place to meet and groups are looking for presentations as well.
"Conference": Or what about community conferences I do not mean that large customer events. Sponsoring or even hosting such events would improve IBM's image dramatically. Ah yes I forgot we do not have any budget for that.
"Treasure": It is not only about public relations, such events provide many opportunities. You could give a presentation, or even learn something new. Sometimes we write code together I see this might not be interesting to you non-coders.
"Hands": It is important to meet people, to get in touch with the "outside world". There are many motivated junior and experienced senior developers that we want to hire sooner or later. Community events are always after work, so you will only meet motivated people there.
Time for Change: IBM needs better public relations with developers. I knew where to start. So I tried.
"Road Block": In the beginning I had no success. My first contact, my manager, could not help. I contacted the official PR agency of IBM Austria and got no answer. I sent mail to the head of sales and got no answer.
"Pulling Hair": Finally I succeeded. But it was extremely difficult to find someone who would present IBM material on a community event. Everybody agrees, but there is no action without a hard sales lead.
"You!" Therefore I ask you to support local communities! We need to be more active. Even if you do not engage yourself, support the ones who do, be open!
Thank You! There is no time for questions now, but I am here all day if anyone wants to discuss.
The images are licensed under Creative Commons licenses.