General Electric - A Fortune 500 Company: why they continue to be one of the top 15 Fortune 500 Companies.

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General Electric Company is a diversified industrial corporation engaged in developing, manufacturing and marketing a wide variety of products for the generation, transmission, distribution, control and utilization of electricity. As a result of acquisitions, divestitures and reorganizations, GE continues to be one of the top 15 Fortune 500 Companies.

GE describes itself as composed of a number of primary business units or "businesses." Each "business" is itself a vast enterprise, any of which would, even as a standalone company, rank in the Fortune 500. The Company's "business" is divided into the following segments: Aircraft Engines, Commercial Finance, Consumer Finance, Consumer Products, Equipment Management, Insurance, Power Systems and NBC. GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 307,000 people worldwide.

GE Equity's initial plan was only to invest in areas unrelated to GE, with an eye toward making some money. Having understood how equity investing and growth are converged, top management of GE changed the company's strategy.

It was decided that GE Equity should make investments in companies, technologies, and distribution channels that could further the strategic interests of the various GE businesses. GE Equity's venture investment goal is to build a world-class, global, private-equity business. The second goal is to extend GE's management and operating systems to other companies.

GE's market capitalization is almost $100 billion higher than that of Microsoft. In 2004, GE was named number one company for employers and employees on the Forbes 500 Global Player list. GE places high priority on their employees. Working Mother magazine recognized GE in its 19th and 20th annual list of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers. They were honored as a winning company. GE was mentioned as a company in corporate America who offered a number of successful work/life programs and managed a representation of women...