The next round of IMLPs head to Shanghai

With their 2nd rotations completed, the next round of IMLPs will soon head to Shanghai, China for Senior IMLP Bootcamp. 

They’ve gotten their passports, had their immunizations, and packed their luggage.  Now it’s just a matter of days before it’s destination – Shanghai.  In fact, a few IMLPs have already headed off to the orient for some pre-bootcamp travel. 

After all, what better way to prepare for bootcamp in Shanghai than with a couple of days or more of vacation in Tokyo, Sidney, Hong Kong, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, New Delhi, Beijing, or one of the many places nearby? 

So, how will bootcamp turn out?  Well… having been part of the last bootcamp in Shanghai and knowing the IMLPs who are headed there this time around, I’m sure it’s going to be another amazing time.  I can’t wait to hear the stories they bring back!  But rest assured, when I hear them, so will you.

Best of luck to all the IMLPs headed out. Have a great time.  It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget.

And for those of you waiting on the edge of your seats to hear more… you’ll just have to stay tuned to see what they’re up to.

Focus on the Global Economy: IMLPs get up-close and personal with the economic issues facing our world

I’m sure by now everyone is aware of the basics around the many challenges within the global marketplace.   From the struggling US housing market to the global credit crunch to the general lack of liquidity in the market, recent issues have prompted reactions from governments, corporations, and the general populace.  But how did these market challenges, these economic fluctuations, and these environmental shifts emerge?  What are the root causes of these challenges?  What’s the outlook for the future of the global economy?



Normally, discussion of such issues is left to the upper management of an organization to hash out and then to come up with a strategy to counter.  Recently, however, IMLPs were given a behind-the-scenes look into the world of economic analysis and enterprise thinking at GE.  Organized by the IMLP Best Practice Sharing Community, IMLPs from around the world were invited to speak with Laura Salma, Senior GE Economic Analyst and direct report to GE’s CIO.  With nearly a hundred IMLPs on hand from around the world, Laura provided a real learning opportunity by giving everyone an in-depth look into the global economy.

Beginning with the causes of today’s hardships, Laura showed us all how these problems trace back to a wide variety of sources… some dating as far back as a dozen years ago.  She went on to show how these issues grew over time until they culminated in a “perfect storm” of sorts, crippling the economies of countries throughout the world.   Continuing forward, she talked through what’s being done to fix these problems, how GE has been (and will continue to be) affected by the troubles, and what GE’s plan is to continue to deliver into the future, despite this challenging environment.

All-in-all Laura’s presentation and extensive Q&A session gave me and my fellow IMLPs a great understanding of our current economic situation, where it’s going, and how we can best position ourselves and the company to weather the storm.  With IMLP committees, like the Best Practices Sharing Committee, getting us access to such great, knowledgeable people from around the company (like Laura) there’s always something new and interesting to learn.  In fact, next week we’ll get to speak with the CIO of GE Enterprise Solutions about IT and it’s role on the enterprise level.  Looks like another exciting call!

From light bulbs ... to the Olympics?

At this point, I'm sure you are just as confused as I was two years ago. I had just been invited to interview for the GE IMLP program. As I began to research the program, I became more interested in it. However, even as a 20 year old Junior at the University of Notre Dame, I asked myself the question, "How can I, as a computer engineer, be a good fit for a company that makes light bulbs?". As I have since found out, this is an extremely common question that many people have about General Electric. Through my research for my on campus interview, I discovered that GE does much more than light bulbs. In fact, if you consult the 2007 GE Annual Report, the divison of GE responsible for manufacturing light bulbs accounted for less than 11% of GE revenues for 2007.



As I began to research more, I began to realize that GE has a vast portfolio of companies. Since that day, GE has continued to grow, both in the United States and throughout the world. Today, GE CEO and Chairman of the Board, Jeff Immelt, separates the businesses into three categories: infrastructure, media and financial services.

Never has GE's vast portfolio been more apparent than with the 2008 Summer Olympics. Not only will GE's own television network, NBC, and its cable affiliates broadcast more than 2,200 hours of coverage by the conclusion of the Olympics, but GE is also the exclusive provider of many essential infrastructure services such as power, lighting, water treatment, security, and transportation. In addition, GE also provided much of the medical equipment used to treat the athletes, including MRI and ultrasound machines.  If you would like to check out more of what GE is doing in China during the Olympic games, you can find some information here.

In addition to the products on display at the Olympics, GE offers many other products such as credit cards, commercial financing, aircraft engines, wind turbines, locomotives, and enterprise security solutions through its many divisions.

If you still don’t have a sense of the breadth of GE products and services, feel free to check out a complete list of GE’s products and services.

Ultimately, it is the breadth of products and the global reach of the company that make General Electric, Inc. an exciting place to work. As part of the IMLP program and throughout your GE career, you will have the opportunity to work with some of the latest and greatest technology throughout the many GE businesses around the world.