As from July 1, IBM UK is implementing a new marketing structure as part of its blueprint for the 1990s; branches supporting large customers are realigned to focus on specific industry areas such as banking, local government and process; the recently announced Commercial Sector, for smaller customers, is to be structured by geography, but with an industry focus; the centres of expertise are product support centres, services centres with specific skills, and solution centres; the main elements of the blueprint are said to be increased customer focus, increased market specialisation, a drive to be services-led, reduction of administration, promotion of a management system based on empowerment of local managers and acceleration of a market-driven quality programme.
