One interesting tidbit about IBM's past may include how
seriously they took the concept of the corporate
choir/band. From what I have heard from a few lifers, they used to do very extensive research into a potential employee's background. This would involve inverviewing everyone from his
second grade teacher, to his wife's
gynecologist. During this process, they would try to find out from people if the potential employee might have played some sort of instrument. They did not care how well. Playing the
triangle at
Vacation Bible School would have probably counted. Later, if that person came to be employeed, the
instrument would appear in his office. He would be told to play in the company band. Refusing to do so was
grounds for dismissal.
The company had a song book, with several classic ditties done to the tune of various other songs. One of my personal favorates:
Our IBM Salesmen (to the tune of Jingle Bells)
IBM, Happy men, smiling all the way.
Oh, what fun it is to sell our products night and day.
IBM, Watson men, partners of TJ.
In his service to mankind -- that's why we are so gay!
Many others can be found in this online version of the
company song book, however an
origional song book would truly be a find:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/barryf/sbindex.html
An interesting article about corporate song's which discusses IBM's songs:
http://www.hot-press.com/politics/interviews/1818386.html