"No matter where you enter the company, you are going to learn to code. Everybody. 100%."

- General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt

How interesting is it that an executive member of a manufacturing company would want himself and every other member to know how to code? He will probably never have to write a line of code for his job, yet he still thinks it's a vital skill to have for himself as well as every other level employee.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are in sales, finance or operations. You may not end up being a programmer, but you will know how to code.”

But tech stuff is just for the antisocial geek in the corner to deal with right? Wrong. In a world where technology is rapidly evolving into a power that has infinite possibilities for the future, from online record-keeping to self-driving cars, it has the potential to take over more and more of people's jobs. It makes processes quicker, easier, and better than ever before. No longer is the dawn of the impact of technology in the far future, it is here.

So why should everyone learn to code? GE is a hands-on manufacturing company. Of course Immelt doesn't expect every employee to be fluent enough to hack into a government database, however a simple understanding can go a long way.

Firstly, large companies like GE are developing IoTs (internet of things - everyday objects with the ability to send and receive data through a network connection.) These include automated energy usage regulators and scheduled lighting switches. Knowing how these systems work and being able to operate and secure them is an in-demand skill to have.

Second, GE needs to stay relevant. What people want is changing. No longer is a lightbulb in demand, but rather a house lighting system that connects to your smartphone and can be turned on and off with the click of a thumb. Going along with this, the company needs managers who know how to manage a team that is developing these types of products.

Lastly, knowing to code suggests that employees would be able to think of more creative solutions to everyday tasks. This has to do with computerization and optimizing online databases. As GE ages and newer companies compete, evolution of basic operations is a factor that separates success.

“We need to move quickly, take risks, fail fast and behave like a startup to keep winning, we have to embrace decentralization and use technology to help our people to stay connected and allow more automated decision-making"

GE is setting an example that all kinds of companies should follow. Despite being over 100 years old, it still dominates the industry by acting as a startup and using technology to further its reach. It's an exciting and revolutionary transformation that's taking place, and it will be a thrill to see what the future holds for technology and businesses.

GE is not a tech company -- and you're probably not a coder. But recognizing the revolution occurring all around you and learning to keep up could prove to be the one thing that makes you stand out and succeed.