SEBL Problems in Hosted CRM as new IBM Sales Head will be Promoting GLobal Services (IMTO)
The former chief of sales at IBM has taken the reins at CRM software maker Siebel Systems (Nasdaq: SEBL) as the company's founder, Tom Siebel, stepped aside amid pressure from anxious shareholders. Mike Lawrie, who previously served as head of sales and distribution at Big Blue, where he worked for more than 25 years, will assume the role of CEO. Tom Siebel will retain the role of chairman. http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/33627.html
At IBM, Lawrie was responsible for 30,000 salespeople and more than $80 billion a year, a job now in the hands of the man who helped lead Global Services since 1996, when the unit had $22.3 billion in sales. Last year, Global Services made up $42.6 billion of IBM's $89.1 billion in revenues. Elix joined IBM in 1969 and held a variety of roles, including CEO of IBM Australia. He has led Global Services since 1999 and oversaw the $3.5 billion purchase of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting in 2002.
During Elix's watch, IBM shifted its strategy to emphasize services over raw computing power. "Most customers care passionately about solving the business problem and not so much the debate over which is exactly the best technology," Elix said in a 2001 interview. But despite a recent rebound in technology spending by IBM's customers, Global Services showed some weakness in the first quarter. Revenues of $11.1 billion were 9 percent higher than in last year's first quarter — but only 1 percent higher when currency changes are taken into account. Profit margin also dipped to 24.5 percent, down from 24.9 percent a year ago. http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/050404/d01a04ibm.html
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