Hoo-Rah: IBM Sending Partners to Social Media Boot Camp

IBM is really placing its bets on the social enterprise concept at this week’s IBM PartnerWorld 2012 conference with the launch of a Social Media Boot Camp initiative designed to get partners and customers alike up to speed with an increasingly interconnected Internet. More information is on LinkedIn, of all places.

Intriguingly, IBM Social Media Boot Camp isn’t limited to the traditional U.S./European markets — Big Blue is bringing social back to China, Saudi Arabia and Australia. And the company promises in the press release that those IBM Business Partners who commit to the eight-week(!) program will “sharpen their social networking capabilities to build even stronger and more interactive ties with their clients.”

The “camp” itself consists of one-on-one meetings with social media coaches who can help the partner build its brand and presence in the social media landscape.

“Social media and social networking have greatly impacted the way we interact and communicate in our personal lives, how we promote our personal brands. But the real power of these concepts are still in its infancy in the business world. There are limitless opportunities for businesses to engage with their employees, business partners and customers over these social channels to help make better business decisions and reach new markets,” said an IBM spokesperson.

Apparently, IBM partner Starfire Technologies was among the very first to sign up for Social Media Boot Camp, and it reports that it was able to rebuilt its website around social technologies and better engage with customers — improving business significantly. And IBM is highlighting social media’s special value when it comes to obtaining the business of SMBs especially.

Social media is definitely turning into one of the top trends of 2012. Keep watching TalkinCloud for more.