General Electric

• Broad range of products and services to spark long-term career interest. • Process-oriented company. • Great training programs offered for both new and experienced engineers. • Great employee/company support for community activities. • Excellent job posting system spanning the entire company. • Ability to transfer to different businesses within the company (subject to management approval). • Purchase GE products at reduced cost. • Flexible working arrangements.

• Bureaucratic - rigid processes often inhibit individual initiative, creativity, and customer service. • US-based company with more non-US employees promotes transfer of technical skills outside of the US. • Management frequently asks for opinions and feedback but often hears what they want to hear. • Pay raises are not commensurate with contributions. • Defined pension plan was replaced by contributing 401(k) for recent hires. • Company-sponsored medical plan (dental, eye, medical, medicine) was revamped at great employee out-of-pocket cost. Yearly expenses can range from 4% of gross base pay with little/no illness to 10% or more with typical family medical expenses.

Corporate officers are out of touch with their people. Don’t forget the people who made GE great long before you became a manager and probably long after you leave on your next promotion.