CTEC is GE Aviation’s Customer Technical Education Center. It holds technical training programs for customers to ensure they learn what is required to operate their equipment safely and reliably. The Fly Thru Room let us view a 3D digital construction of an engine; this room allows engineers to build an engine virtually versus an actual model to see if the engine is functional or has any potential issues .

The group came back together to enjoy a lunch session with Greg Simpson, CTO of GE. He was eTwo IMLP's and Greg Simpson, CTO at GExcited to meet the two Energy IMLPs that participated in the events! Greg spent over an hour with us discussing the new software group in San Ramon, how he keeps up with current technology, and some of the challenges he faces as the CTO of GE.

Lunch concluded and the day continued with two more sessions with leadership. The first was a panel of Aviation CIOs:

• Greg Hasselbeck – CIO, Military, Compliance & Information Assurance
• Mary Bradford – CIO, Aviation Systems
• Jeannine Abele – CIO, Aviation Supply Chain

© 7thfloor.it

At GE Healthcare, our Professional Development Committee explored this very question in a group discussion.  YOU are a product.  And managing that product is just as important as any other item or service that is sold to customers. 

Establishing your personal brand, understanding that brand, and selling that brand through self-promotion are critical to success.  But how do you know what your brand is?  We agreed that finding a mentor to help you gain that external perspective is important to learn others’ perception of you. 

What do you stand for?  What are your values?  What do people say of you, your work ethic, and the quality of your deliverables?  A mentor can help articulate this.  Whatever your work style may be though, consistency is key.  Leaving the same positive impression on all teams, managers, and co-workers is pertinent to managing that personal brand. 

Sometimes, writing a mission statement helps to solidify what it is you promise to deliver consistently across the board.  Similar to writing goals, this also helps you to achieve that sense of brand.  Make sure to carry that reputation with you in your personal life as well.  This will maintain that consistency and ensure that you are always “selling” and “delivering” the same quality product time and time again.

IMLP's in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China.

Senior Bootcamp is now held into two separate sessions in the year, and with the next group getting ready to head abroad towards this incredible adventure, I thought it may be useful telling you something about the curriculum and what can be expected during these amazing 3 weeks in China.

Week 1:
In the first week, IMLP's are split into 4 worlds, with four teams in each world. Each team will be competing with the other 3 teams in their respective world in a business simulation. The simulation consists of selling futuristic computers in a technology market. In order to increase profit and sales, team members are assigned to various roles and had to work together to determine how they should invest in the following:

• R&D: This team  will focuses on what they would invest in (i.e. New Products vs New Features)
• Supply Chain: This team will focus on investments that could improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs
• Marketing: This team will determine which campaigns would be most effective for building brand awareness and increasing sales
• CFO: The CFO will manage and allocate funds for the three functions above
• CEO: will help to lead the team's strategy for each quarter of the rotation

The simulation lasts for 8 quarters, and positions will randomly change, giving IMLP's the chance to be in several roles. That simulation was a lot of fun because it make you learn how to think and act fast. We would have an hour to prepare, but when the quarter started we'd only have 20 minutes to make sure we invested in the right projects and allocated our employees correctly. Sometimes, random unpredictable events were thrown in that made things difficult, as noted by the nervous moans of everyone in the classroom. Although it was a lot of fun, the most important takeaway was that the simulation gave IMLP's insight into the decisions that executive leaders have to make on a daily basis.

The B2P application is highly customized by the SSS team, and is constantly being adjusted. If there’s an issue or change to be made, the user must use the SSS IT Request tool, a support central workflow which handles over 1500 tickets per month. 

For my six month rotation, my primary deliverable was to design and build the second generation of the SSS IT Request tool. In order to do this, I would need to take the project through a traditional software lifecycle process, starting with requirements gathering and moving all the way through designing, building, testing, launching and providing support. I was the project manager, and the direction, speed and success of the project depended entirely on me.

When looking at the SSS It Request tool, two parties must be considered in the ticketing process: The requestors, who are the ones opening the tickets, and the experts, the ones dealing with them. To start, I knew I had to understand both group’s experiences before deciding which direction to take the project. I decided that the best way to do this would be to get up from my chair and start talking to people.

Not so with IMLPs at GE. Repeatedly over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to see IMLPs lead the way in embracing new technologies and methodologies. In addition, after these leaders have explored new territories, they are given the opportunity to share and guide others in using these tools.

One great example of this at GE Transportation is Video Conferencing. The IMLPs have been among the first people to make regular use of this technology in the business, and have gained a depth of knowledge on the subject that surpasses even most IT personnel. As a result, the IMLPs have been asked to help staff Video Conference training sessions. At all of Transportation’s various sites, IMLPs have given hands-on tutorials to fellow employees from all functions and levels of the business.

Recently, the Houston Drilling & Surface and Aero IM teams partnered with Feed the Children to provide some volunteerism for this worthy organization. For over 30 years Feed The Children has delivered food, medicine, clothes and other essentials to individuals and families affected by famine, war, poverty and natural disaster.  It is one of the largest private organizations dedicated to this effort delivering more than 133 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and their families each year.  Food is delivered domestically, to all 50 states, and overseas to 119 countries around the globe. 

GE volunteering with Feed the Children in Houston, TexasWe were able to help Feed the Children by packaging personal hygiene boxes to be distributed to families in need within our local community. These boxes were filled with items we often take for granted such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, children's books, and much more.  It was a great opportunity to not only provide a service, but to engage in cross-business networking and team building as well.  We worked via assembly line to fill the boxes (leaning our processes and working at Six Sigma capacity, of course), completing 640 packages, weighing approximately 12,800 total pounds!  Afterwards, we had a team lunch of delicious BBQ before returning to work.  Don Kafka (a fellow IMLP) and myself were there among representatives of both the D&S and Aero IM teams, including Nick Parrotta, Aero’s CIO.

It was an enjoyable, worthwhile, and mutually rewarding experience that we had with Feed the Children, and we hope to keep the engagement alive in the future!

Many college students don’t think about how their internet activity could affect their ability to find a job after they graduate. More employers are starting to look at candidates’ Facebook, Twitter and blogs. Unfortunately, we do not have complete control over our online presence. Don’t just be mindful of how your posts impact yourself; your online activities could be potentially harmful towards your friends, family or coworkers. You do not want to be the reason for their embarrassment or unemployment. If you’re in doubt, don’t post it.

However, if used properly, social media can boost your chances at attaining your dream job. Social media is a great place to learn about a company and interact with potential coworkers. Many companies have Facebook pages, twitter accounts and linked in groups. These are great resources for researching companies and formulating insightful questions to ask during your interview. Programs like IMLP also use these resources to screen and look for potential new hires. Interviewers use the site to interact with candidates, knowing who you are before info sessions or interviews can give you a big leg up on other interviewees! Make sure to check out all of the IMLP media sites!

© Getty ImagesAt GE Healthcare in Milwaukee, I have found an organization called STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) that goes into the classrooms and helps students in those focal areas.  Assisting students on their projects and getting them excited about these disciplines is a fun way to leverage a skill I have and get involved with a passion of mine.  I always enjoy going back to the school, visiting the kids, and seeing what is on their minds for that week.  Additionally, we also try to discuss how studying and working hard now can help them with a career later.  Sharing personal experiences and informing them of their options motivates them to look beyond today and think about long-term goals.  Serving as a resource to these students – whether as a tutor or a mentor – is entirely rewarding.  Add ‘volunteering’ to your 2012 New Year’s Resolution, take an hour or so out of your weeks, and make an impact in your community!

© Twitter.com - Obvious Corp

Cisco’s Connected World Technology Report is a summary of results collected by polling 3,000 young IT professionals and college students from all around the world.  It is used to gauge what the next generation of workers will be looking for and how companies will need to mold the current environment to meet those needs and expectations.  Key areas include mobile technologies, social media, work life freedom, and network accesses.  The most troubling find of this study was that 70% of young professionals worldwide, admitted to knowingly ignoring or circumventing IT security policies and procedures.  The most common reason for doing so: They didn’t believe what they were doing was a real security threat and 61% don’t believe it is their responsibility to protect themselves on devices.  

IMLP’s, Interns & IMLPS Reps @ WorkAid in Chesham, UK

As a Healthcare 2^nd rotation IMLP my current role as the Telecom Project Leader has required me learn about VoIP and telecoms past and present, internally and externally and go on to lead an implementation in Sweden. My leadership skills have been developed not only in my projects, but  have had to be combined with learning as it was essential that I took ownership of my development needs and planned to achieved them in order to be successful in my rotations. Everybody that I met face to face and virtually were always happy to walk me through their domain of expertise to allow me to understand a little bit more of the puzzle whether it be technology or organisational structure related!

My responsibilities do not end there, for example writing this article is also part of the expectations within the program, as we look to help each other out where we can. This is a great way to build friendships and professional relationships across businesses that will last post program. During this rotation I am Chair of the Rotation Committee for Europe, Global Chair of the Information Sessions and apprentice for the Community Inclusion Committee and Recruitment committee. My days are full of meeting new people, learning how to leverage my network and collaboration resources. It’s so great to be around some of the most experienced individuals the IT field and learn from their knowledge and experience. Yesterday I went on a visit to a hospital in Oxford, where they use GE nuclear medicine and it was amazing to see how GE Healthcare makes a contribution, and how I help to support a business that preserves lives.  Even though my days can be so varied I’ll give you an insight on my day so far...