Reflections from my first ECLP Conference

About three weeks ago, I started my career at GE, spending my first two weeks with the company at training in Norwalk and Greenwich, Connecticut.  I couldn’t be happier about my decision to join GE as an ECLP.  The Capital business is complex but I’m sure that it will start to make sense the longer I am here.  During training, our class heard from many different senior leaders and it struck me that GE Capital is all about partnering with clients to help them run a successful business.   When I think of a lender, I think of a bank that gives a business money and then simply expects to be repaid with interest.  It seems much more personal at GE Capital.  GE wants clients to succeed, and we spend a lot of time and resources developing tools that will aid in our client’s success. 

I also was struck by a couple of other things during the two week training: 

1. ECLP: There is a laser focus on training programs at GE.  I knew GE was regarded as a top-notch training institution, but it is something else to see it in person.  The amount of time and energy expended by GE staff to put together trainings is nothing short of amazing.  Speakers, classes, meals, logistics, parties… everything went off without a hitch!  Some of the biggest names at GE came and spoke to the ECLPs.  Who wouldn’t want to spend a session with Jeff Immelt (CEO), Beth Comstock (CMO) or Marco Annunanziata (Chief Economist)?
2. Senior Leaders: Senior leaders have been at GE for a long time.  Many of them have come through one of the several leadership programs.  This leads to three conclusions:  1) GE must be doing something right to keep people, 2) GE promotes from within and 3) there is never a lack of opportunities if you are a high performer.   I was also struck by how down-to-earth the leaders were.  I wasn’t used to this, coming from the finance world where egos can become a tad large.
3. Integrity: Most companies stress the importance of integrity, but GE has an incredible focus on hiring and training the most ethical people in the business.  A story was relayed in one of the sessions about how GE competitors used bribes in some countries to win business many years ago.  At that time, GE refused to get involved in that type of business and now that the power has changed in these small countries, GE is winning business because they stuck to their core ethics.
4. People: The people that make up the development program (my classmates) are all from the best business schools, and are intelligent and fun. But, more than anything, they are friendly and non-assuming.  It is clear that only a specific type of person can get through the GE interview process.  It’s going to be a fun two years!

The future is bright at GE.  There are several billion dollar businesses now that didn’t even exist 10-15 years ago.  ECLPs are charged with thinking outside the box and identifying the next billion dollar business for General Electric and it is a gratifying experience to be a part of it. 

Posted by Paul