From: Adam Flinton 

Dave Ings wrote:

> Well, as I just got my L-1B visa this morning I'm not entirely sure what the
> job entails.. :-)
>
> But the basic idea is that while in IBM the group/division General Managers
> are ultimately the lead business strategists, they employ small staff groups
> to assist them in formulating business and technical strategy. The Lab
> development teams (from which I've just come) typically have a 6-18 month
> planning horizon whereas the HQ function is (I think) more along the lines
> of what longer term business and technology trends does the company need to
> be aware of / reacting to / driving the evolution of / investing in / etc
> and the role of the staff group is to formulate and drive these initiatives
> both inside IBM and with our business partners.
>
> I think this job will be a blast ... I'm most looking forward to it. It will
> get me (and my experience) out of the development trenches and into a more
> forward looking role. The only downside is that due to spousal
> considerations I won't actually be moving to NY ... instead I'll be
> commuting to and fro.
>
> BTW, I was very impressed with the professionalism of the US Immigration
> service. Yes, I've read all about their screw-ups, granting visas to dead
> 9/11 terrorists and the like, but while sitting in their office at the
> Toronto airport for almost two hours, while they processed my paperwork, I
> was impressed by how well trained they were. They treated everyone with
> uniform respect and a sort of formal military-like courtesy, even those they
> turned away.

Just remember to keep a handy guidbook to syria for when you're transiting
NY back to Toronto 

Adam

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