In the late 1990s, General Electric (GE), the American multinational conglomerate focusing on energy solutions, power, and healthcare technologies, embarked on an ambitious push into the growing world of e-commerce. Lloyd G. Trotter, a senior executive at the company, faced an uncomfortable truth: he had limited knowledge of the internet.
“I knew it existed,” Trotter admitted candidly. “But I wasn’t exactly a frequent user.” At 54, his engagement with the digital world was minimal, even for the simplest of tasks.
Recognising the challenge faced by Trotter and many of his contemporaries , Jack Welch, GE’s legendary CEO devised an ingenious solution: Reverse mentoring.