General Electric (GE) is one of the biggest conglomerates in the world, running companies in fields as diverse as consumer goods and medical technology.
With so many businesses scattered around the world, GE leverages its size and prominence in its MBA recruiting. The Experienced Commercial Leadership Program (ECLP) is one of the company’s key recruiting initiatives. The ECLP brings candidates with previous commercial experience and an MBA education into GE firms to keep them at the cutting edge of their industry.
The ECLP is a two-year rotational program with three eight-month assignments in the marketing and sales functions of GE's different businesses. It runs in ten territories around the world, reflecting GE's incredible global reach.
The program begins its presentation and resume review period in September and October every year at select business schools, followed by first round interviews in October and second round interviews in early November. Offers will be made by mid-November of each year, with the candidate starting by July the following year, depending on the operations of the selected firm.
Chris Thomas is the Global Recruiting Director for the ECLP, based out of Connecticut and he gave us an in-depth perspective on GE, the ECLP, and the enduring value of an MBA education.
How long have you been at General Electric and what's kept you there?
I have been with GE for about five years now. I’ve stayed with the company because of its culture of meritocracy – your performance and how you treat others while you perform will determine how far and how fast you go in the company and there’s a constant focus on employee development. There is a constant push to continually learn, grow, and to be stretched.
Tell us about the Experienced Commercial Development Program and which parts of GE it covers?
Within GE we define Commercial as marketing and sales. The ECLP (Experienced Commercial Leadership Program) is an accelerated leadership program that targets experienced professionals with five to eight years of work experience in both marketing and sales functions. Within GE, ECLP is the premiere program to establish and promote those we believe have the potential to become commercial leaders who will drive the continued growth of GE businesses.
ECLP is a global program with program members across the globe and in all GE businesses.
Describe an ideal candidate for the GE Experienced Commercial Leadership Program.
Someone who is an ambitious team player, curious to continually learn and develop, interested in working on things that matter in helping to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. Additionally, as we continue to evolve the commercial function at GE, we are looking for strong external talent who can bring expertise in marketing or sales from both previous work experience as well as academia.
What's the biggest mistake a potential applicant can make in the application/ interview process?
The biggest mistake that a candidate can make during an interview is not researching the position (or in this case the leadership program) that they are interviewing for. At the interview stage, they should be asking specific questions about components of the program, not, “so tell me about the program.”
I would highly recommend that candidates use their networks to connect with current ECLPs or grads of the program to get a better sense of what life is like in the program. They can also gain additional insight via www.eclpblog.com.
Do you pro-actively hire MBAs and do you work closely with any specific business schools?
Yes, the majority of the participants in the ECLP are MBAs –an MBA or a relevant Master’s degree is a requirement. We partner with many business schools around the world to promote the program and look for candidates to join the ECLP team.
What's the typical starting salary for an MBA grad?
It varies because the ECLP applies in any locations where GE has a business interest, so we hire individuals where they have unrestricted work authorization in each region – then we pay a competitive rate in local currency.
What are the 'perks' and benefits of being a GE employee?
It’s all about opportunities! The opportunity to travel all around the globe, for one. The opportunity to leverage GE’s multi-business portfolio to transfer your skill setsto a different industry. And of course, the opportunity to work in an environment where diversity is promoted and truly supported.
The opportunity to have access to the $1 billion that GE invests in its employees on an annual basis in development and training!
Can you pinpoint any cultural differences between GE and other multinational corporates?
I believe that GE’s meritocracy-based culture is really unique. At GE, we value high performers, but just as importantly, we value how that performer treats others while they perform.
What are the current GE 'buzzwords' or internal big projects?
Leading the “Industrial Internet” revolution and the Innovation Accelerator are two key buzzwords that come to mind. For more information on the industrial internet and other key GE initiatives, you can look up what we're doing on 7u
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