Interview with Angela Grisafi, IMLP Business Champion for GE Oil & Gas

Angela Grisafi, GE O&G IMLP Business Champion

After IMLP Blog’s interviews with Matt Brooks - IMLP Global Program Manager, Beth Desormeaux - Manager for Learning and Development at GE, and Tommy Tang – China IMLP rep, we bring you an interview with another GE leader.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Angela Grisafi, the IMLP Business Champion for GE Oil & Gas in Italy, to learn about herself, her background, and her plans for IMLP at Oil & Gas. Get to know Angela with us! 

What inspired you to become the IMLP Business Champion for O&G?

I’ve always been part of the IMLP family, since I joined GE. After I graduated IMLP, I became the O&G site representative, participating in recruiting events in Italy. In 2008, I became the program champion at GE O&G, serving as a mentor for IMLPs and interns, facilitating the discussion between Energy Program Manager and the O&G CIO, helping with rotations, and identifying the IMLP pipeline.

How did IMLP impact your career?

I was initially hired for a full time job in GE O&G IM Global Supply Chain as systems analyst, working on legacy systems. I covered that role for just 5 months and then I interviewed for the Energy IMLP program. Thanks to the program, I had the opportunity to work on the biggest ERP implementation (at that time the MRP/BOM project in Italy), had a 6 months assignment in Atlanta with the IM Energy Services team, and worked in Finance and Services. I wouldn't have seen all of those things without the program. 

How do you organize the work and the interaction with IMLPs?

I participate in the Energy IMLP staff meetings and IMLP Champions calls.

I also like to stay in touch with IMLPs rotating in O&G, and understand how rotations are proceeding. So I have established a bi-weekly staff meeting with an open agenda that is prepared by the IMLPs. For example, in the next staff meeting, we will talk about the O&G Information Management Growth Playbook [lists goals and objectives for each business].  IMLPs are also encouraged to have at least one monthly 1 on 1 meeting with me. I additionally like to mentor and prepare IMLPs before any important IMLP review or pitch.

If you could change one thing in IMLP to make it better what would you do?

We have just started the simplification of our internal processes for rotation selection and off-program. The current structure of committees and focal points needs to be simplified also.

Which qualities are you looking for when interviewing a potential IMLP?

I’m personally looking for a good balance between technical competencies, soft skills and fluent English. Curiosity is certainly an important characteristic for working in a company like GE that I’m constantly looking for.

I wish I had...What is one thing you could have done more during your IMLP?

Believe it or not... I certainly missed the opportunity to work more on the committees. I did not really realize how important it was for networking with other IMLPs and always felt that my contribution would be so little, just because I was a remote IMLP. I could not be more wrong, and I’m now trying to challenge the IMLPs to sit on committees and speak up more.

Could you please give some recommendation for IMLP about how to show special value within a 6 month rotation (which typically involves working on part of project)?

At the very beginning of the rotation, it is important that you understand exactly what can be your role in the project team and adapt yourself to the team dynamics.

Always try to leverage your strengths—whether you’ve got a technical background or you’re a good project manager, or you’re able to build good relationships—and use them to challenge yourself out of your comfort zone.

Would you repeat today the IMLP experience?

Yes, without any doubt! It has been the best opportunity in my career and it changed my personal life: I met my husband during my second rotation. :-)