The 1980s will seem like a walk in the park when compared to new global challenges, where annual productivity increases of 6% may not be enough. A combination of software, brains, and running harder will be needed to bring that percentage up to 8% or 9%.

GE's businesses turned in a terrific first quarter. Our products and services are being well received in unusually robust global markets.

Public hangings are teaching moments. Every company has to do it. A teaching moment is worth a thousand CEO speeches. CEOs can talk and blab each day about culture, but the employees all know who the jerks are. They could name the jerks for you. It's just cultural. People just don't want to do it.

I guarantee you it will not be anyone from the outside.

When it comes to strategy, ponder less and do more.

One of the ways we'll know that Work-Out has been successful is that my style of leadership will no longer be tolerated in this company.

Nothing of any importance has ever been accomplished by a pessimist.