Boeing on patent attorneys

Peter Cohan discussing Jim McNerney of Boeing:

McNerney filters hundreds of problems and opportunities down to the critical few within a period of months after taking on a new position. For instance, at GE Aircraft Engines he quickly figured out that his business plan would be at risk unless his team could figure out a way to stop competitors from making lower priced versions of its profitable spare engine parts. He assembled a team of patent attorneys, engineers, and manufacturing experts to develop and build a more advanced, patent-protected line of spare parts that would be tough for competitors to knock off. McNerney boosts the careers of people who support these solutions to high priority problems. And lets those who can't adapt go. For a new or aspiring manager, McNerney's ability to get his hands around a new operation quickly offers a useful model.