International Recruiting at ECLP

In just about a month’s time, the GE ECLP Classes of 2012 and 2013 from all GE businesses will travel from all over the world to Buenos Aires, Argentina for the semi-annual global ECLP conference. But that’s not the only exciting thing happening in the program between now and then. GE ECLP international recruiting is in full-effect, and we are excited to share with our readers the upcoming events surrounding this initiative. I sat down with Chris Thomas, Global Recruiting Director for ECLP, last week who shared his insights and best practices for prospective international ECLPs.

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Looking Back On An Unforgettable 2011 and Excited for 2012

2011 was a great year.  I finished my MBA (in China), started ECLP, and got married.  A new degree, 2 life changes and a trip around the world… it was awesome.  Just a few weeks ago when we said goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012, I thought to myself, how could this year possibly compare to 2011.  And then I remembered, I’m in ECLP.  That means, this year, I will change jobs two times – once in March and once in October.  I will make at least one international trip with our two week training and conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and fingers crossed our GE ECLP October 2012 conference is in a similar, sweet, international location.   So right off the bat, this sounds like it could a pretty good year, but let’s dig into it a bit more.

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Global GiveBack, Is Back!

Last year, Women in Commercial Leadership Programs (WICLP), a hub of the GE Women’s Network, launched the ECLP Global GiveBack Initiative.

The program encouraged ECLPs from all GE businesses around the globe to get involved in giving back to their communites with time and monetary contributionsIt was a unique way to engage participants across the world and enabled them to customize their participation based on cultural and local needs.

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Putting Innovation Theory into Practice

The buzzword in my universe at the moment seems to be innovation. I attended a conference of 80+ companies last week on encouraging innovation in the rail sector.  The previous week I was presented an excellent framework for Commercial innovation at our annual Transportation marketing staff workout. Governments almost daily publish worthy reports how more innovation will solve their economic woes…or at least in Europe anyway! It got me thinking what do we mean really by innovation and why does it seem to be so difficult and require constant pressure.

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Celebrating 10 years of ECLP!

The ECLP program turns 10 years old this year! The program has evolved over the year - number of rotations, locations, and business involvement has changed - demonstrating GE’s commitment to continuous improvement. 

Keith Mait, GE Capital Class of 2010, and Steve Zelechoski, GE Capital Class of 2007, will be planning great event to celebrate the 10 year anniversary. They are in the earliest of planning stages but have been able to share some high-level details (subject to change of course). 

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Reflections on life for a Caymanian in Dubai (by way of Paris)

People act surprised when I tell them that my new home, Dubai, reminds me of where I grew up, in the Cayman Islands. But, apart from the obvious (desert vs. island, Arab vs. Caribbean culture), there are many surprising similarities which have made me feel as if I have found a home away from home.

My first impression of course was the heat. Arriving in May, the temperature only went upwards – people slowed down and stayed inside in the air conditioning. One step outside and you could feel your body temperature rising at an alarming rate. Daily chores made you feel like Thesiger himself, venturing into the inferno – no amount of water was enough! It made me wonder – is this what tourists to Cayman used to feel when they braved our islands from cooler climates? My mother (who is still living on the island) and I shared very consistent emails during those months – it’s hot!!!

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ECLP Conference comes to GE Capital Equipment Finance

In November, Equipment Finance (EF) hosted the 3rd EF Leadership Programs Conference organized by EF’s Sales Force Effectiveness and HR teams. 13 ECLP, Financial Management Program (FMP) and Coporate Leadership Staff (CLS) program members attended the two-day event that included:

• Lunch and learns with Brian McGarvey, HR Leader, Equipment Finance and Kristi Webb, GM, Dealer Finance
• Functional trainings such as risk
• Speed networking event with Diane Cooper, GE Officer and GM, Equipment Finance; Joe Hanlon, CFO, Equipment Finance; Dean DeBroux, CRO of Equipment Finance and Steve Engelman, GM, Retail Finance; and

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GE Challenge...the results from the MBA Case Competition from the land of Soccer and Samba!

“Fantastic!” was one of the words of the new ECLP Global Recruiting Director, Chris Thomas, who joined the Latin America ECLP team for the finals of the first International ECLP Case Competition which took place in Brazil last month.

On December 2, 2011, almost 50 MBA students from FIA (Management Institute Foundation), which is one of the highest rated Business Schools in Sao Paulo, Brazil, had the opportunity to present their findings and solutions to the judges, which included four GE leaders and three professors from FIA. The auditorium was full -  aside from the students, judges, representatives from GE Human Resources and ECLPs, there were also representatives from other top MBA programs in Brazil: Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), Fundação Armando Álvares Penteado (FAAP), Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa (INSPE) and Business School of São Paulo (BSP), all which showed interest and excitement to participate in the event next year.  

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Criticisms of Rotational Programs

This post has been selected as a one of the “Best of 2011.” It was originally posted on August 26, 2011.

One year out of Harvard Business School, I have taken over the position of lead recruiter for the Experienced Commercial Leadership Program (ECLP) and am planning to come back to campus this fall to recruit ECs (2nd year students) to join GE. In preparation for the mid-October 1st round interviews, I had a call with HBS’ Director of Career Services to discuss what ECLP is all about and how we can connect better with current students. 

It’s really interesting to be on the opposite side of the table now – looking at all the great candidates and having the responsibility to promote only a few to the next round of interviews. Even more interesting were  the common criticisms of rotational programs from current HBS students that the Career Services Director shared with me.

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Life, Work, and ECLP...Family Style

This post has been selected as a one of the “Best of 2011.”  It was originally posted on October 21, 2011.

Much is made of work/life balance. However, during ECLP, you often find yourself tilted toward working as though you are still in grad school, plus holding a full time job, all while maintaining extra projects, training, and activities on the side.  This is difficult for anybody, but has unique complications if you have a significant other or young family.

I entered the ECLP program with a wife who is a successful medical professional, plus two boys under 3 years old.  My second rotation took me to Chicago while my family stayed behind in Maryland.  This became my reality for 11 months. It was never easy, but we made it work, and I am now better for it. 

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