Read the case about GE and the Industrial Internet and then answer the following questions:

Imagine that you are a consultant hired by GE’s top management to help them in their future strategic planning. You have been asked to develop a report for GE’s Board of Directors. This report should revolve around the following questions (do not assume that the Board of director’s is as knowledgeable about key issues as employees of GE may be, and do not develop the report in question and answer format – it should look like a report and should address the questions below but structure it in a way that you think is best).

1) What are the key environmental changes that have necessitated changes in GE’s operations and strategies? Identify the three most important trends over the last 30 years and  the specific changes that have come about as a result. Explain your answers.

2) What are the challenges posed by GE’s existing business models on the NEW business models that it needs to adopt as it makes the Industrial Internet a central part of its strategy?

3) What are they key performance measures that GE should use to assess whether it has been successful in taking advantage of the industrial Internet? Identify the three most important objectives, discuss their characteristics (See Chapter 5 of the text to better understand these), and why they are appropriate.