Jim McNerney has been the CEO of multiple GE divisions (including GE Aircraft Engines and GE Lighting), the CEO of 3M, and -- most recently -- the CEO of Boeing. It is perhaps an understatement to say he has overseen a lot of growth in these roles. He also gained valuable experience in his earlier positions working with Procter & Gamble's brand management and as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company.
Mr. McNerney took to the stage earlier this month to address ACG Denver's 2017 Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Conference audience by offering his rare insight into the leadership required of such roles and responsibilities:
Here are a few quotes and notes from his presentation:
- If you have no plan for growth, you have no plan.
- Focus on your customer and your people, period.
- 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration. Are you surrounded by workers?
- High risk can yield high returns, but remember, there is really only one risk manager in any company: the CEO.
- Management styles do not cross all disciplines. You many need people to help implement what dreamers dream.
- Dreamliner was a victim of overreach, not adapting with changing times. What saved us? Our culture and our people
- Create a team that believes in the mission, that shares the passion, and that buys into the direction.
- Avoid risk of over delegation- keep your eye on the ball.
- Why does the 747 still dominate today, well past its normal shelf life? We meet market requirements, cost competitive, minor tweaks to meet customer demands versus always chasing something new. When I was at 3M, we created 2,000 new products every year, almost to our demise.
- Measure your progress by your customers…. Not all of your own metrics.
- Constant improvement, motivated employees, culture, culture, culture- staples of a successful organization.
ACG Denver stands for the Association for Corporate Growth - Denver.
Check out their next upcoming event:
Gaining the Upper Hand in M&A:
How Well-Advised Buyers and Sellers Can Each Make the Process
Work for Them
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
7:30-9:00 a.m.
Embassy Suites
Downtown Convention Center
1420 Stout Street, Denver
Sellers and buyers have fundamentally different objectives. The “standard sale process” doesn’t always suit either party perfectly, and how can a particular party’s objectives best be met within that process while the other side is perhaps pulling in a different direction? Please join us for a fireside chat with nationally recognized experts from both sides who will discuss, in a point-counter-point fashion, today’s current M&A challenges, roles and goals that can either make or break a deal.
