Public Policy

In seeking to build and transform the business and societal systems by which our planet works, IBM is deeply engaged with many of the most urgent issues facing the world today. In this, we are necessarily drawn into deep collaboration across civil society—working with lawmakers, regulators, public officials and civic leaders and contributing our expertise, experience and perspective.

One recent example of this is our work with the Technology CEO Council (TCC). The global financial crisis has exacerbated government budget deficits around the world, which pose a threat to the economic health of our societies. IBM believes that action must be taken to dramatically reduce or eliminate these deficits. Which is why the Technology CEO Council, led by IBM Chairman Sam Palmisano, is advocating smarter spending—the adoption of commercially proven best practices and operational efficiencies that could save the U.S. government more than $1 trillion by 2020, while enhancing the services it provides to citizens and laying a foundation for future growth and innovation. Below is an outline of the seven initiatives offered by the TCC to address the U.S. budget deficit. Much of this approach could be applied to other governments worldwide, at all levels, facing the same challenges.

Initiative 1

Consolidate Information Technology Infrastructure

Initiative 2

Streamline Government Supply Chains

Initiative 3

Reduce Energy Use

Initiative 4

Move to Shared Services for Mission-Support Activities

Initiative 5

Apply Advanced Business Analytics to Reduce Improper Payments

Initiative 6

Reduce Field Operations Footprint and Move to Electronic Self-Service

Initiative 7

Monetize the Government’s Assets

To read more on specific recommendations on how to accomplish each initiative, visit the Technology CEO Council.