strategyleader

Are High-Profile CEOs Effective?

Jack Welch was an exception in GE's successful history. His predecessors took stands but didn't make themselves the center of attraction. In addition, one of the rules of past GE CEOs was that when they retired they left the company. They were not invited to be members of th Board or have an office in the Corporate Headquarters. Welch won't go away and even though he is not part of the GE management team he still thinks he is.
In 2000, before Immelt was appointed a wrote an article for Chief Executive magazine entitled Succeeding a LEGEND, in which I described the problems that Welch's successor would face and how the new CEO could not continue to implement the Welch strategy. Of course this was before September 11th. Immelt has completed changed the GE game plan which was needed. However, I still am concerned about the expectations he has established and is fixation on GOING BIG/ GOING GLOBAL.
Take a look at my website and blog: strategyleader.com, in which I have a continuing assessment of Immelt and his strategy. It is called GEWatcher.
Bill Rothschild, author of global bestseller: The Secret to GE's Success.