CNBC Titans: Jack Welch on TALKtv

Manila, Philippines -   Jack Welch is known worldwide as one of the most brilliant minds in the business sector. When he became General Electric’s then youngest CEO in 1981, he transformed the century-old company into a leaner, more flexible and profitable corporation, increasing its market value by $387B and making it the most valuable company in the world.

But in doing so, Welch trimmed GE’s workforce by more than 100,000, earning him the nickname he despised “Neutron Jack” — a reference to the bomb designed to remove the people but leave the buildings intact. GE had 411,000 employees at the end of 1980, and 299,000 at the end of 1985. Of the 112,000 who left the payroll, 37,000 were in businesses that GE sold, and 81,000 were reduced in continuing businesses. In return, GE had increased its market capital tremendously. Welch reduced basic research and closed or sold off businesses that were under-performing.

From growing up in a working class neighborhood in Salem, Mass., to becoming Fortune’s “Manager of the Century” in 1999, CNBC profiles one of the most admired businessmen in history.

He was GE’s CEO for 20 years and in that time period, the worth of the company grew by a whopping 4,000 percent. In 2006, Welch’s net worth was estimated to be somewhere near $720M. Since his retirement, Welch spends time speaking publicly and writing.

Tonight at 8, see what kind of a person changed the landscape of business in the US and how he turned a stagnant business into the world’s biggest. CNBC Titans: Jack Welch will air on TALKtv.

TALKtv is on Ch.16 on SkyCable, Ch.28 on Destiny, Ch. 21 on Cgnal and Ch.12 on Cable Link.