BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : DECEMBER 11, 2000 ISSUE
COVER STORY Immelt's Challenges DON'T DISAPPOINT WALL STREET How do you match Welch's record of earnings growth, which is expected to reach 18% this year? It helps that analysts are projecting earnings growth for months to come. And Immelt says he anticipates new acquisitions and continued product innovation. MANAGE COMPLEXITY Immelt has never run more than one division at a time and has only worked in three of GE's 10 major divisions. Plus, if growth does slow, he'll probably come under some pressure to break GE up into more manageable chunks. INTEGRATE HONEYWELL He'll have a year to study under Welch while the $45 billion merger is digested. But it's GE's largest deal ever and is sure to command top-level attention for years to come. BUILD A TEAM This doesn't get done overnight, and the other two contenders for the top job are expected to leave. But Immelt was promoted partly because he's a natural at building teams and inspiring loyalty within the ranks. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _					RELATED ITEMS The Man Who Would Be Welch GRAPHIC: The Welch Effect TABLE: Immelt's Challenges RESUME: Jeffrey R. Immelt Jack: The Welch Era at General Electric Neutron Jack High Points Low Points The Welch Touch INTERACT E-Mail to Business Week Online

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