【商業智慧】二十世紀最佳經理人Jack Welch：如果外在改變速度超過內部改變，盡頭就在不遠處 Best CEO of the 20th century, Jack Welch: If the rate of change on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is near
Jack Welch 擔任通用電氣（General Electric）行政總裁長達20年，令其市值從120億美元增長到4100億美元。獲《財星》（Fortune）雜誌稱為「二十世紀最佳經理人」以及《產業周刊》（Industry Week）稱他為「最令人尊敬的行政總裁」。他獨特的領導哲學深深影響了許多企業家。
Jack Welch 提醒，優秀的領導者不能只鎖定在熟悉的領域，而應該擁有國際視野，從孟買到香港，從布宜諾斯艾利斯到其他各地。在他的管理下，通用電氣取得了驚人的成果，不僅僅是數字上的漲幅，更多的是他為公司帶來的創新管理思想。他的「20-70-10」制度不僅僅是為了評估員工，更是一種激勵。頂尖的員工需要更多的資源和支持，而其他的員工則需要明確的方向和機會。
「20-70-10」制度是指將經理分為三組。排名前20％的「A組」充滿激情，致力於使事情成真；具活力的70％「B組」對於公司至關重要，並鼓勵他們加入A組；然後是最低的10％「C組」。
Jack Welch 曾言道：「如果外在改變速度超過內部改變，盡頭就在不遠處。」當外界的變革速度超越了內部的速度，公司的未來就會岌岌可危。這不僅是對企業的警告，也是提醒，不論是個人還是公司，都必須隨時準備迎接變革，並且積極擁抱。
在今天這個快速變化的世界裡，我們更需要這種前瞻性的思維。企業應該要不斷地自我革新，員工也應該不斷地學習和成長。只有這樣才能確保自己不被時代所拋棄，而是走在時代的前端。
Jack Welch served as the CEO of General Electric Company from 1981 to 2001. When he retired in 2001, the company's annual revenue had grown from $25 billion before he took office to $140 billion. Fortune magazine named him the "Best Manager of the 20th Century," and Industry Week called him the "Most Respected CEO." His unique leadership philosophy has deeply influenced many entrepreneurs.
Jack Welch emphasizes that excellent leaders should not just focus on familiar areas but should have a global perspective, from Mumbai to Hong Kong, from Buenos Aires to other places. Under his leadership, General Electric achieved remarkable results. It wasn't just the numerical increase, but more importantly, the innovative management ideas he brought to the organization. His "20-70-10" system was not just for evaluating employees but also a form of motivation. Top employees need more resources and support, while others need clear direction and opportunities.
Specifically, the system rewards the top 20% in an almost outrageous way – targeting basically all possible aspects of their lives to ensure that they strive harder. For “the middle 70,” leaders must offer training and other support systems to push them to reach the top 20%. As for the bottom-tier employees, the goal would be to eliminate them to make room for others who might have better potential.
Jack Welch once said, "If the rate of change on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is near." When the rate of change in the external environment surpasses that of the internal, the organization's future is in jeopardy. This is not just a warning to companies but also a reminder that whether it's individuals or organizations, everyone must always be prepared to embrace change actively.
In today's rapidly changing world, we need this kind of forward-thinking even more. Companies should continuously innovate, and employees should always be learning and growing. Only in this way can we ensure that we are not left behind by the times but are at the forefront.