.png)
1 month ago
2
May 31, 2025, 12:34:10 PM IST
1/11
The End of a Corporate Era
For decades, General Electric (GE) was not just a manufacturing giant—it was the premier training ground for top corporate talent. Its Crotonville campus was renowned for producing executives who went on to lead Fortune 500 companies. But with GE’s decline and the closure of Crotonville in 2022, a new question emerged: where will tomorrow’s CEOs come from? (Source: Bloomberg)
IANS
2/11
Crotonville – GE’s Leadership Crucible
GE’s Crotonville wasn’t your average corporate retreat. Executives spent days immersed in leadership development, tackling real business challenges and mastering management systems like Six Sigma. The campus was legendary—emulated by firms around the world, and even referenced in pop culture like the sitcom 30 Rock.
Getty Images
3/11
Why Crotonville Mattered
At its peak, GE’s size meant executives gained diverse experience—from aviation to finance to appliances. Each division operated like a standalone company, making GE leaders uniquely prepared to run global businesses. Graduating from Crotonville marked you as CEO material.
TIL Creatives
As GE faltered—splitting into smaller parts and losing its business dominance—its leadership brand suffered. Recent GE alumni, like those who moved to Boeing and Home Depot, didn’t always shine. With the company’s breakup and Crotonville’s sale in 2024, the old CEO factory model faded away.
Getty Images
Bloomberg’s Matt Boyle explored the rise of new CEO factories. While GE faded, consulting firms rose. Today, companies like McKinsey, Accenture, EY, and Deloitte are the dominant breeding grounds for corporate leadership. They’ve quietly overtaken industrial giants in producing top executives.
ETMarkets.com
6/11
Consulting Firms Take Over
Professional services firms now dominate the top ranks of CEO origins. McKinsey, Accenture, and the Adecco Group rank highest, along with the Big Four accounting firms. These firms expose talent to various industries and require fast learning, strong communication, and strategic thinking—traits valued in modern leadership.
IANS
7/11
What Makes a Modern CEO?
Adaptability tops the list of qualities required in today’s CEOs. With global uncertainty and rapid change, the ability to quickly pivot is vital. Other essential traits include data fluency, tech savviness, cultural intelligence, and the ability to sell a vision—skills commonly honed at consulting firms.
TIL Creatives
8/11
The Consultant Advantage
Consultants succeed because they’re trained to parachute into unknown environments, assess quickly, and offer actionable solutions. Today, they also stay longer to implement changes. This hands-on approach makes them better prepared to take on executive roles in dynamic environments.
TIL Creatives
9/11
Training, the New Way
Unlike old-school training campuses like Crotonville, modern firms invest in distributed, structured learning programs. Accenture, for example, spends as much on training as GE once did. Learning is now continuous, blended with tech, and tied directly to leadership development goals.
ThinkStock Photos
Direct jumps from consulting to CEO roles are rare and risky. Most successful transitions involve stepping-stone roles—such as Head of Strategy or Chief Operating Officer—where future CEOs can learn the ropes of managing large teams and understanding corporate culture firsthand.
TIMESOFINDIA.COM
A standout example is the CEO of Randstad, a global staffing company. A long-time Accenture executive, he used his broad industry exposure and deep operational experience to successfully transition into corporate leadership. His journey reflects the new path to the top: from consulting to command.
(Disclaimer: This slideshow has been sourced from Bloomberg)
ETMarkets.com
English (US) ·