Over 260 ECLPs from across the globe converged on Greenwich, CT two weeks ago for our semi-annual Experienced Commercial Leadership Conference at the Greenwich Hyatt. The week was packed with long days filled with training, networking, and keynote speakers. Here are a few highlights from the week…

Sunday

The conference kicked off early Sunday morning with a variety of community service activities. Among the volunteer opportunities offered was a project at Adopt-a-Dog, Inc. in Armonk, NY. In between the time spent on yard work and laying gravel, our team enjoyed playing with all of the shelter dogs. Fortunately, we avoided dog bites, poison ivy, and sun burns to get the job done and get back to the hotel just before the World Cup final! 

Monday

After a keynote presentation from Vice Chairman and CEO of GE Capital, Mike Neal, the ECLP classes broke up into sales and marketing cohorts for the first two days of training. The focus for the sales class was uncovering customers’ hidden needs and finding solutions to match their goals. The training used a mixture of lecture, role-playing, and a computer sales simulation to engage the class and encourage ECLP interaction.

Copyright 2010 Frank Mari PhotographyIn the marketing cohort, ECLPs focused on understanding the history of GE’s brand and how it continues to evolve in today’s world. The cohort also focused in on the importance of digital marketing skills within GE. Outside firms including Google, Jive, Seed Media Group and Big Spaceship joined the conversation to provide best practices on paid search, social media and visualization techniques.

The day concluded with a build-a-bike event hosted by GE’s Women in Commercial (WIC). Over 100 ECLPs, alumni, and GE leaders gathered and assemble 17 bicycles for the Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield, CT.

Tuesday

Nabil Habayeb, President & CEO of GE in the Middle East & Africa, opened our day with a discussion about being a “global insider.” With a growing portion of GE’s growth coming from emerging markets, Habayeb emphasized the need for ECLPs to participate in global projects and learn more about other parts of the world.

>Copyright 2010 Frank Mari PhotographyAfter a second day of sales and marketing training, the ECLPs were ready for a night of fun. Although rain threatened the beach party at the Woodway Beach Club in Stamford, the intermittent showers during the event did little to dampen the fun. The delicious appetizers and BBQ fare tempted gluttony but was quickly worked off on the volleyball courts and dance floor.

Wednesday

After a fun night out, the crowd perked up for the live GE Marketing forum global broadcast. CMO Beth Comstock fielded questions and offered her impressions of the evolution of marketing at GE.

Later in the day, Frances Frei, a Harvard Business School professor, kept the 2011 class on its toes with her quick wit and insightful strategies for how to build a sustainable services organization.

Jeff Immelt, GE Chairman & CEO, concluded our day with a discussion focused on GE’s next growth areas and our global outlook. After providing us with his thoughts on GE and the ECLP program, he opened the floor for about an hour of candid Q&A, during which he walked the aisles and captivated the crowd with his stories of interactions with various governments from around the globe.

Thursday

The week’s theme of global leadership continued with a keynote discussion on the subject from Paul Saunders. His lessons of respecting cultural differences were not lost on the crowd as they pondered whether the proper French greeting required two or three kisses on the cheek.

By the evening, the ECLP class of 2010 was dressed to impress for their graduation dinner cruise on the Long Island Sound. Fortunately, they were back by midnight to join the rest of the ECLPs enjoying a fun night that included Wii, billiard tables, casino games, a dance floor, and various other forms of entertainment.

Friday

Day Six ended with weary-eyed ECLPs recapping the week over coffee and a few drinks in the hotel lobby – another great conference in the books. Best of luck to the 2010’s! For everyone else, see you next January in Shanghai!

Copyright 2010 Frank Mari Photography