tech
December 28, 2025
Louis Gerstner, man credited with turning around IBM, dies aged 83
Gerstner was chair and CEO at a time when the firm was struggling for relevance faced with rivals such as Microsoft
TL;DR
- Lou Gerstner led IBM as chair and CEO from 1993 to 2002, a period of significant challenge and transformation for the company.
- He abandoned a plan to split IBM into autonomous units ('Baby Blues'), opting instead for integrated solutions based on client needs.
- Gerstner's arrival at IBM, then struggling against competitors like Microsoft and Sun Microsystems, was marked by a focus on profitability and customer service.
- He previously held leadership roles at American Express and RJR Nabisco, and later chaired the Carlyle Group.
- Arvind Krishna, IBM's current CEO, highlighted Gerstner's understanding of client needs and his ability to balance short-term and long-term strategies.
- Gerstner's leadership emphasized delivery and innovation, focusing on creating memorable client experiences.
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