General Electric Company: Strategic Planning and Mission

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Table of Contents

Strategic Planning
Strategic Alternatives
Works Cited

Strategic Planning

Current Performance and Mission

The case study at hand covers a period of the company’s performance up to the beginning of 2013. In 2012, General Electric managed to increase its segment profits to $22.9 billion (by 11%), $17.8 billion of which were generated from its operating activities. GE also returned $12.4 billion to investors paying dividends and stock buybacks thereby increasing stakeholder returns by 21%. The market cap of the organization grew by more than $30 billion. Thus, having over $100 billion of revenue at the beginning of 2013, the company had become the hugest and most prosperous infrastructure organization globally.

*Table 2. Summary of Operating Segments.*

As far as the percentage of profit increase per business unit is concerned, it was distributed as follows (Hoffman 726-729):

Power and Water: The volume increased by 8%. Deflection effects were offset due to stronger dollar and lower prices.
Oil and Gas: 16% higher volume.
Energy Management: 68% growth owing to increased prices.
Aviation: 7% increase as a result of higher prices.
Healthcare: 4% due to increased productivity.
Transportation: 36% owing to higher prices and volume.
Home and Business Solutions: 31% increase due to the offset of higher prices as a result of inflation.
Capital: 12% growth owing to higher tax benefits and lower impairments.

As for the mission, GE does not provide any official mission statements on its website. Yet, in the “about” section, one can read that the company employs the best people and uses the best technologies to meet the hardest challenges looking for solutions in finance, health and home, and transportation.

Each website devoted to GE’s separate business units provides its mission statement (Hoffman 726-731):

Power & Water: The unit claims that all employees work in collaboration with customers trying to foster progress, predict the energy needs of the future, and power a cleaner world through the use of advanced generation and delivery technologies.
Oil & Gas: The unit positions itself as an unquestionable leader in advanced technologies in all industry segments and branches.
Energy Management: The unit emphasizes the implementation of global team solutions to transmit, manage, distribute, converse, and optimize electrical power.
Aviation: The unit claims to be the global leader in the production of jet engines of all sizes for both military and commercial aircraft as well as aircraft-derived engines for marine usage.
Healthcare: The unit provides medical technologies of the new age, including medical diagnostics, information technologies, patient monitoring systems, etc.
Transportation: The unit’s mission is to solve the toughest challenges in transportation across the globe by building equipment moving mining, marine, and rail industries.
Home & Business Solutions: The unit sees its goal in delivering comfort, electrical protection, and convenience through the application of innovative technologies.
GE Capital: The unit’s mission is to ensure the growth of customers’ capital by providing smart financial solutions.

EFAS Matrix

Table 3. EFAS Matrix.

External Factors	Weight	Rating	Weighted Score	Discussion
Opportunities
The number of those who connect to power grids is going to increase dramatically by 2050	.15	5	.75	This would mean higher demand for wind and gas turbines, solar equipment, and various related services
$60 trillion is going to be spent on infrastructure in developing economies	.15	5	.75	The demand for vehicles, energy, equipment, and services will grow exponentially
33,000 airplanes are to be constructed by 2030	.10	5	.50	The industry will need plenty of aircraft engines and related services
Huge sums are going to be spent on health care	.05	5	.25	The demand for healthcare equipment will increase
Demand for solar energy is increasing	.05	4	.20	GE may act as a leading innovator in the area
Threats
Capital investment is negatively affected by tax reforms	.15	5	.75	50% of the revenue may be lost
Solar panel prices are decreasing	.10	4	.40	Chinese manufacturers produce too many cheap solar panels
GE will deal with pension obligations in the coming years	.10	4	.40	15,800 employees were represented by Unions
The wind energy industry is unstable	.10	4	.40	Environmentalism loses popularity in the US
Leasing business faces a highly competitive environment	.05	4	.20	Banks have to cope with liquidity
Total Scores	1.00		4.60

IFAS Matrix

Table 4. IFAS Matrix.

Internal Factors	Weight	Rating	Weighted Score	Comments
Strengths
Overall revenues from emerging markets are growing	.10	5	.5	The company started focusing on developing markets
GE has rich experience in energy, transportation, and health care	.07	5	.35	This is critical for developing economies
GE Energy managed to double its annual revenue	.07	5	.35	It indicates that it will grow in the future
GE possesses an app. 44% of the gas turbine market	.03	5	.15	GE can outperform Siemens
Aviation backlog grew to $99 billion	.03	5	.15	GE will be able to meet emerging market demands
Transportation profits climbed over 100%	.03	5	.15	GE receives a competitive advantage
GE process-improvement program realized $800 million of margin improvement	.06	5	.3	The same
GE Global Research is developing innovation technologies	.07	5	.35	The same
GE Capital’s profitability doubled	.04	5	.20	Stability is increased
Weaknesses
Pension costs could decrease in cash flow	.10	4	.40	This weakness is balanced by strengths
Stock prices lower owing to the financial downturn	.20	4	.80	The same
Legal proceedings undermine GE reputation	.10	4	.40	The same
GE CLL operation shredded bad loans	.10	4	.40	The same
Total Scores	1.00		4.00

Key Strategic Factors (SWOT Analysis)

Strategic Factor Analysis Summary (SFAS) Matrix
Strategic Factors	Weight	Rating	Weighted Score	Discussion
Strengths
Growing revenues from emerging markets	.25	5	1.25	The company now focuses on emerging markets
Weaknesses
The financial downturn led to low stock prices	.15	4	.60	The weakness is balanced by strengths
Opportunities
A growing number of people who connect to power	.25	5	1.25	Demand for gas and wind turbines as well as solar equipment will increase
$60 trillion will be spent on infrastructure in emerging markets	.25	5	1.25	The demand for services, equipment, energy, and transportation will grow
Threats
The negative effect of tax reform	.1	5	.50	50% of revenue might be lost
Total Scores	1.00		4.85

Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis

5 Forces analysis reveals the following position of GE (Hoffman 723-732).:

Industry rivalry or competition is medium since GE dominates numerous industries due to its diversification strategy, having only Siemens as a strong competitor.
The threat of new entrants is low as the reputation, size, and position of GE makes it practically impossible for a new company to penetrate the market.
The threat of substitute products is medium since customers always have a great number of options to choose from. GE must concentrate on its pricing policy and product features.
The bargaining power of buyers is low as GE produces quality products at fair prices.
The bargaining power of suppliers is low since GE buys huge volumes of products bringing their ability to bargain to a minimum.

CAPM

Strategic Alternatives

GE can opt for several strategic alternatives. First and foremost, it can focus on customers in developing economies in all sectors, which will give it a competitive advantage. For gaining a competitive edge, it can also develop new technologies. Another option is to invest in process improvement in all its units (especially in emerging markets) to save money. Among all modern technologies, it would be reasonable to develop solar equipment, wind turbines, aircraft, communication, and other technologies. Yet, at the same time, GE should be ready for customers’ decreasing interest in this sector. GE can also rely on stockholders to widen profit margins, yet, their participation largely depends on the economic situation in the country.

GE can become the leader of the market of environmentally friendly technologies to be able to outperform competitors when the popularity of such equipment grows. However, it must take into account that this tendency is far from being steady.

The company can also pay down all pension obligations; yet, the results are unpredictable.

It would be effective to stick to the differentiation strategy and inventing products that are new and unique in all segments where GE currently operates.

The company can form partnerships with other organizations to combine strengths but it has no guarantee that it will not be let down.

It would be rather profitable to sell businesses that show poor performance and investing the obtained capital to core, successful units and acquire companies in the supply sector to ensure protections of delivery and mitigation of risks. At the same time, GE can invest in businesses with high growth rates and good potential/

Works Cited

“General Electric Co.” Stock Analysis on Net. Web.

Hoffman, Alan. General Electric, GE Capital and the Financial Crisis of 2008: The Best of the Worst in the Financial Sector? 2013. Web.

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