John Rice on Growing Against Headwinds

The transcript discusses GE's global operations, emphasizing the need for a diverse strategy across 180 countries. It highlights the company's approach to uncertainties like the US election and Brexit, and its financial transformation post-global financial crisis. GE's focus on technology and infrastructure, along with its investment in digital platforms like Predix, is outlined. The importance of partnerships and a global footprint is stressed, alongside GE's debt strategy and growth concerns. The transcript concludes with a discussion on regional growth opportunities and challenges.

What is a key challenge for global companies in the current economic climate?

• Relying on a single country's policies

• Managing local partnerships

• Expanding into new markets

• Increasing production costs

What strategic shift did GE make in response to the global financial crisis?

• Focus on technology and infrastructure

• Expansion into new consumer markets

• Reduction in global operations

• Increased investment in financial services

How has GE's financial strategy changed in recent years?

• Focus on short-term financial gains

• Reduction in technology investments

• Increased reliance on export credit from the US

• Diversification of financial service assets

How does GE plan to leverage the Industrial Internet of Things?

• By focusing solely on vertical capabilities

• By creating a closed-source platform

• By combining horizontal and vertical capabilities

• By reducing investment in digital platforms

What is the expected outcome of GE's investment in the Predix platform?

• To dominate the consumer electronics market

• To focus solely on vertical markets

• To reduce the need for partnerships

• To become the standard operating system in the industrial sector

What is GE's approach to partnerships in the digital and industrial space?

• Avoiding partnerships to maintain independence

• Seeking strategic partnerships globally

• Focusing on local partnerships only

• Relying solely on internal development

Why does GE consider debt a smart capital allocation strategy?

• Due to high borrowing costs

• To avoid partnerships

• To efficiently use capital in today's market

• To reduce investment in research and development

What is a significant concern for GE regarding its global operations?

• Expanding into new industries

• Reducing operational costs

• Adapting to changing political landscapes

• Maintaining a consistent global strategy

What is a major growth region for GE, according to the transcript?

• South America

• North America

• Asia

• Europe

What keeps GE's vice chairman up at night regarding global operations?

• The competition in the industrial sector

• The company's technological advancements

• The global footprint and adaptability

• The company's financial performance