Business screen magazine (1961)

JHERENTL^ A GLOBAL ENTERPRISE eiTlbia cing 92 countries and 298 sales locations, employing approximately 40.000 persons, lost exclusively nationals of the countries in !ch they work, is faced with an unusual task employee relations and orientation, ro relate each individual to the total opera1 of the company and to increase his indiviil effectivene_>s. development and contrib)n has been the primary interest of the A World Trade Corporation. Overseas Film prosram Began in 1958 rhe company has long recognized the effec ■ ness of motion pictures in telling a cor ate story, not only to customers but also to )loyees. Beginning in I9.'5S a film program instituted. 'designed to leap over language -iers and to drive home to employees, in h the most remote areas of the world that n of them was playing a vital role in achiev : the objective of the company. "World jce Through World Trade". is it developed, this program has consisted me annual. 27-minute. b w motion picture ng the first three years since 1958. Each aal film presented a cross-section of IBM -Id Trade Corporation's accomplishments I significant activities during the preceding y illustrating a single worker's initiative as f'nefit to the entire corporation, by showing II the company's many plants and labora) :s are interrelated, and that they draw upon M other, by portraying different nationalities ■iking together for the common good, the r' three films. Teamwork for Tomorrow iks 1 . Pcirliier in Progress ( 1 959) and A DeIt of Promise (1960) helped make each n^Joyee more aware of the importance of his v{ contribution to the overall success story fhe IBM World Trade Corporation. I Re-Evaluate .\ctivil> During Past Year aving completed this first cycle of annual In early in 1961, the question arose as to liher the continued use of motion pictures I nployee information was desirable, and if liable what new form might be considered rhe film program which would not only sus thc level "of employee interest already >.d. but also would illustrate more sub .c, and activities with which employees would n^ more local identification within each of I, fixe areas in which IBM World Trade vites. iiese considerations were faced by J. M. "diolly. Manager of Special Projects, IBM 4d Trade Headquarters, New York. One t,\T. Connolly's major responsibilities is to rt'ide direction, guidance and supervision for Bi World Trade motion picture projects. Decide on a New Format for Past Year continuing review of the film program, inlung a comprehensive study of world-wide U(i;nce reactions, prompted IBM World 'rsie, early in 1961, to stand back momenir'/ and take stock of the value of conning the use of motion pictures. The deciioiwas made to continue the program. Howve it was recognized that a new format was enable. in reaching this decision, Mr. Connolly aid Bill Bryant and Jim Handley of Film Above: census enumeration in Canada was assisted by an IBM 705 at the Dominion Bureau of Statistics in Ottawa. At left: Sales and System trainees are pictured at one of the special school sessions held at New Delhi, India, Annual Films Unite IBM's World Family Showing to 40,000 Serving in 92 Lands, Latest Films Emphasize the Human Faelor Enterprises, Inc., New York, with whom he had been engaged in production of the films since their inauguration. A series of discussions resulted in a program consisting of an annual I5-minute, color, "corporate" motion picture to embrace all of World Trade's areas of operation, which would be supported by four separate 1 2 '/i -minute, color, "area" films, each covering the specific activities of World Trade in four geographical areas of the world — Europe, Latin America. Asia Pacific and Canada. People, y!ol Machines, Are Most Important To inaugurate the new program in early 1961, it was decided that a strong central theme be adopted for the "corporate" film to emphasize the company's awareness that while the world at large very often thinks of IBM in terms only of machines performing all functions in all fields, the reality is that the individual people of IBM are the most important part of the corporation because of their creativity, productivity and service. Without the people there would be no machines. To convey that premise was the objective of the "corporate" film. Supporting the "corporate" film, the "area" films would continue to feature highlights of the company's operations in each of the four geographical areas, in terms of what IBM World Trade people had accomplished in each specific area. .4rea Films Round Out "Tailored " Program Distribution was planned for presentation of the "corporate" film joined by its appropriate "area" film, thus tailoring the film program, with a balanced emphasis on the company's world-wide operations with direct interrelation to each area's achievements and activities. With the new program format defined, the method of financing the five different films had to be resolved equitably within World Trade. It was decided by management that IBM World Trade Corporation Headquarters in New York would assume all production costs of the "corporate" film which embraced all areas. However, it was decided that each "area film would be the financial responsibility of the management of each of the areas concerned. Film Enterprises, in consultation with Mr. Connolly, therefore negotiated separate contracts with final approval authority by the IBM general managers for each of the four trading areas. As an accomodation to the producer, with accompanying internal IBM accounting procedures, the four production contracts with IBM World Trade permitted Film Enterprises to draw local currency from the IBM companies in each country in which location costs were to be incurred. Assign Location Work in 37 Countries Final payment to the producer was made in U.S. dollars with all such advanced funds deducted in accordance with prevailing exchange rates for each currency involved. Upon agreement with IBM World Trade of the specifications, and financial arrangements. Film Enterprises undertook to establish working relationships with reliable motion picture photographic units to cover in excess of 100 location assignment in 62 cities in 37 countries for which production was planned. Several Film Left: new concepts in development at fhe World Trade laboratory in the Netherlands. Below: magnetic tape inspector at work, Harrow, England. UiBER 3 • Volume 23 1962