Bangalore: IBM India has planned to launch its custom-made programs for its potential women leaders in technology and sales. Their idea is to create an accelerated leadership in these two segments which are usually conquered by the men. The Indian arm of US-based IBM has aimed to increase the leadership pool of women in the field of technology by 20 percent and it wants to increase their leadership in sales by 15 percent by the next Eighteen months through TechAcme and SalesElan programs, reports Saumya Bhattacharya from the Economic Times. Anupama Ambe, Chairperson of India Women Leadership Council (IWLC), IBM India, told that the move has been prompted by the attitude of young women who are now a days becoming more adventurous in moving to new roles. She also gave another reason that, at present there are more and more women decision makers among IBM’s clients. IWLC is responsible for putting together IBM India’s women-centric programs. Firm’s succession program for women in general management that has been started in 2009 will be complimented by the TechAcme and Sales-Elan. Since 2006, more than 6,000 women have participated in the firm’s leadership programs. Anupama told that the leadership development is not just about training, but they will also give business oppurtunities to these women, mentor them and provide executive sponsorship. Virginia M Rometty has been elected as the Chief Executive Officer last month and she will succeed Samuel J Palmisano as President and Chief Executive Officer from January 1st. Samuel will continue to remain chairman of the board. IBM’s Vice-President and HR head in India and South Asia, Chandrasekhar Sripada is of the opinion that having a healthy diversity ratio in leadership will help to lead a greater innovation and creativity at the workplace and it helps to a better understanding of the marketplace. According to industry body, Nasscom, women account for more than thirty percent of entry-level workforce of the technology industry in the country, but less than four percent reach to the CXO levels. IBM has identified women having 6 to 8 years experience to become part of its leadership pipeline. TechAcme, the technology leadership program, has planned to focus on women in technical functions such as architecture and database administration and the SalesElan will be a multi-tier program across all levels and business units. SaleElan which has been designed by Rometty, the current IBM Senior Vice-President and group executive for sales, marketing and strategy, will add to the existing Sales Eminance program for building basic selling skills.