Replying to LO27810 --
I'm delighted that Chris cites HP's e-inclusion as a worthy program. I
have to point out, however, that we're doing this less as a social
initiative and more from the viewpoint of long range business
self-interest.
Carly Fiorina (our CEO, for those of you who may not be reading about our
merger soap opera) has a unique perspective for a technology executive.
Her undergraduate degree is in Western European Medieval History, and
she's used to thinking about events in terms of centuries rather than
fiscal quarters. She's observed that we techies are currently selling to
only about 2 billion of the world's population of 6 billion, and those 2
billion are concentrated mostly in Western Europe, North America, and the
east coast of Asia. If we as an industry are to continue to grow in the
next decades, we have to find ways of creating consumers, business
partners, and employees among those currently unserved 4 billion.
The first steps have to be very basic - clean water, enough food, health,
education, followed by reliable economic and political infrastructures.
E-inclusion is working with other companies, as well as with various
governmental on non-governmental organizations to help move along these
basics. That may look like social initiative, but it really comes from a
deep understanding of future markets and resources. And frankly, for a
publicly owned business, that's a much more reliable motive than altruism.
:-)
Joe
> From: chris macrae [mailto:wcbn007@easynet.co.uk]
>
> I would like to hear of any global social initiatives people
> can point to
> me which inspire them. Do you even have one being led by a global 1000
> company? The only one I like is www.hp.com/e-inclusion
--"PODOLSKY,JOE (HP-Cupertino,ex1)" <joe_podolsky@hp.com>
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