Insights to Impact: A weekly briefing on creating sustainable and inclusive growth

| Executive Briefing
Which sectors could see the greatest value from quantum technologies by 2035? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

Subscribe to get the Insights to Impact briefing in your inbox weekly

May 2, 2024

This week’s headline findings:

Quantum technologies, which include computing, sensing, and communication, offer significant performance improvements over their classical counterparts. Early commercial applications are emerging from labs, with the potential to generate a combined $2 trillion in value across the chemicals, life sciences, finance, and mobility sectors by 2035, according to analysis in McKinsey’s third annual Quantum Technology Monitor written by senior partner Rodney Zemmel and colleagues. Global funding for QT development and commercialization also continues to surge: despite a 27 percent decrease in private funding for QT start-ups in 2023 (less drastic than the 38 percent dip for all start-ups), global public investments surged more than 50 percent, bringing the total to about $42 billion. The authors note the emergence of regional innovation clusters, which bring together industry, academia, and government to accelerate technology development and commercialization. Such collaborations, they argue, are also crucial for building up the capabilities of the 367,000 students who graduated in 2023 with QT-relevant degrees and giving them access to state-of-the-art hardware.

Despite recent gains in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) representation in film and television, more than 70 percent of API consumers still perceive a lack of authenticity in portraying their stories and experiences on-screen. That’s a missed opportunity for the entertainment industry, say senior partner Kabir Ahuja and coauthors. Their research found that nearly half of Asian Americans indicated they’d spend more money on film and TV and consume more content if API experiences were more authentically represented. Their analysis estimates that improving the authenticity of API representation could unlock $2 billion to $4 billion in annual revenues today and could double that by 2060. The authors recommend specific actions, such as promoting API professionals to leadership roles with green-lighting authority, establishing dedicated funds for API projects, and considering international market potential when evaluating projects.

Although generative AI has the potential to revolutionize contact centers, it has yet to be widely adopted because of inconsistent data quality, a misunderstanding of the use cases, and inadequate change management (because it’s never just tech). To address these challenges, senior partner Rohit Sood and coauthors suggest that organizations conduct AI readiness assessments of their servicing strategies, operations, technologies, and talent capabilities. They also propose a three-stage approach to build up AI proficiency and demonstrate its impact: starting with lower-risk tools and basic use cases, then expanding to internal use cases such as human agents using AI for knowledge extraction and summarization, and finally, deploying customized applications such as empathetic and intelligent AI agents.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks, exclusive to the McKinsey Insights app, features Andy Cohen and Diane Hoskins, global cochairs of the architecture and design firm Gensler, discussing their new book, Design for a Radically Changing World (Oro Editions, March 2024). The authors discuss how design fundamentally affects our daily lives and can be harnessed as a “hope multiplier” by changing how we live, work, and play when facing “crisis multipliers” like climate change, economic volatility, and geopolitical instability.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.

With McKinsey, it’s never just tech. Find out how we apply strategy, deep domain expertise, and more to help clients outcompete with technology and transform their companies.




April 25, 2024

What does it take to double industry performance in healthcare? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Within a complex and evolving healthcare landscape, an organization’s business model is crucial for value creation. Most US healthcare systems adopt some combination of two primary models: vertical integration (owning multiple segments of the healthcare value chain) or pure-play specialization (focusing on core activities). In recent years, vertical integration models have experienced much stronger growth rates, according to research by senior partner Shubham Singhal and coauthors; for instance, “capital light” integrated delivery models, which exclude capital-intensive acute care facilities, doubled the performance of the overall healthcare industry from 2017 to 2022. The authors note, however, that both models could be optimized to spur growth: for example, vertically integrated models can excel through digital member engagement, and pure-play models can succeed by enhancing productivity and onboarding technologies such as AI and automation. Regardless of the primary model chosen, organizations must develop distinctive capabilities to unlock the more than $1 trillion in value that Singhal and colleagues estimate exists within the healthcare ecosystem.

Following the landmark passage in 2022 of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—a $500 billion investment in clean energy, healthcare, and tax reforms—state governments are transitioning from designing programs to secure federal grants and efficiently deploy funds to implementing them in 2024. A recent update to McKinsey’s 2022 IRA analysis by senior partner Adi Kumar and coauthors features a summary of implementation insights from four related McKinsey articles. These articles offer strategies for states to accelerate decarbonization, such as establishing a comprehensive emissions baseline, and to promote equity in program delivery, such as involving diverse stakeholders in the decision-making process and committing to a transparent investment process.

Digital twins—virtual replicas of real-world systems, products, or processes—have the potential to accelerate innovation in the medtech industry by reducing R&D costs and enabling personalized patient care. However, medtech companies face challenges in adopting this technology, including a shortage of suitable capabilities, limited data access, and a lack of clear strategies. To facilitate successful implementation and eventual scaling, senior partner Jack Donohew and coauthors recommend a three-pronged agile approach to digital-twin delivery: start with high-feasibility use cases, build a test-and-learn culture, and engage potential users in the design, development, and implementation stages. Already, real-world medtech applications of digital twins have demonstrated 20 to 50 percent reductions in time-to-market and 75 percent reductions in clinical trial costs.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks, exclusive to the McKinsey Insights app, features William Ury, cofounder of the Harvard Program on Negotiation and author of the 1981 classic Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement without Giving In, talking about his new book, Possible: How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict (Harper Business/HarperCollins Publishers, February 2024). Ury describes himself as a “possibilist” who believes in the human potential to transform conflicts from destructive fights into creative negotiations and posits strategies for doing so, such as going to the balcony (zooming out) instead of reacting and engaging the third side (the shared surrounding community) instead of seeing the conflict as purely “us versus them.”

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.

With McKinsey, it’s never just tech. Find out how we apply strategy, deep domain expertise, and more to help clients outcompete with technology and transform their companies.




April 18, 2024

How can companies help employees who lack skills, will, and time management capacity? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Productivity can vary widely, with top-performing employees delivering up to eight times the productivity of average performers in the same role. But that talent gap is costing companies, say senior partner Vincent Bérubé and coauthors. Their research indicates that a lack of skills, motivation, and time management efficiency is driving up attrition and vacancy rates, which could cost a median-size S&P 500 company roughly $480 million a year in lost productivity. The authors contend that companies should view their employees as their most valuable resource, and they recommend five HR-led actions to take to maximize the organization’s “return on talent,” among them, investing in tailored learning and development programs and fostering a high-performance culture.

Private equity buyout managers have historically relied on debt-funded acquisitions and boosting valuations to generate returns. Fund performance, however, has suffered since 2020 due to rising debt costs and tighter liquidity. In the current environment, PE buyout managers can improve fund performance by prioritizing operational efficiency in their assessment and management of portfolio companies, say senior partners Jose Luis Blanco and Jason Phillips and their coauthors. Their analysis reveals that PE general partners who focus on creating value through operational improvements have boosted their internal rates of return by two to three percentage points.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks, exclusive to the McKinsey Insights app, features Harvard Law School professor and bestselling author Cass Sunstein talking about his new book, Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There (Atria/One Signal Publishers, February 2024) cowritten with neuroscientist and professor Tali Sharot. Sunstein argues that habituation dulls creativity in business and notes that organizations can take a range of actions to reignite it, from encouraging employees to break routines by walking around the workplace and interacting with new people to establishing a “dishabituation project” where employees temporarily take on a new role to gain fresh perspectives.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.

With McKinsey, it’s never just tech. Find out how we apply strategy, deep domain expertise, and more to help clients outcompete with technology and transform their companies.




April 11, 2024

How can space technology help boost revenues for industries outside of core space services? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

The space economy is rapidly expanding, driven by surging demand for satellite connectivity, positioning, navigation, and AI-enabled insights of extensive Earth-observation data sets. According to research led by senior partner Ryan Brukardt and collaborators at McKinsey and the World Economic Forum, the space industry could grow to $1.8 trillion by 2035, from $630 billion in 2023. Over 60 percent of that growth will be propelled by “reach” applications in industries such as supply chain and transportation, food, consumer goods, and digital communications—outpacing the expected contribution from “backbone” industry sectors like space hardware, space launchers, and satellite services. The authors note that even space tourism and manufacturing are poised to generate revenues by 2035.

Commercial aerospace is grappling with a record order backlog of more than 15,000 aircraft, which, at current production rates, would take 13 years to be cleared. At the core of the issue are supply chain disruptions, an issue raised 18 times more often by aerospace executives on earnings calls in 2022 compared with 2014, note senior partner Mike Parkins and coauthors. To reduce the backlog and mitigate against further disruptions, the authors recommend a comprehensive approach focused on using data and analytics for greater supply chain visibility, fostering cross-functional collaboration and talent upskilling, and proactively assessing risks. This comprehensive strategy, they say, has helped one aerospace parts manufacturer quickly reduce shortages by over 25 percent.

Construction and manufacturing in the United States is facing a severe shortage of skilled tradespeople due to high churn from the COVID-19 pandemic, an aging workforce, and too few young people pursuing these roles. For critical skilled trades roles, there could be 20 job openings annually for every single net new employee added between 2022 and 2032, say senior partner Brooke Weddle and coauthors. Their analysis of US Bureau of Labor Statistics data also suggests that companies may have to spend up to $5.3 billion annually to hire and train new talent to fill these roles. To plug leaks in the talent pipeline, the authors recommend regional collaboration among employers, educators, and government to support training, recruitment initiatives (such as attractive sign-on bonuses and relocation packages), and productivity boosters (such as using “cobots,” or collaborative robots, to automate rote tasks).

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features McKinsey senior partners Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vik Malhotra offering reflections on the two-year anniversary of their bestselling book, CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest (Scribner/Simon & Schuster, March 2022). In the final installment of a three-part conversation with McKinsey Global Publishing leader Raju Narisetti, the authors share how writing the book changed their own approach to CEO counseling and introduce a new framework they are developing called “The four seasons of a CEO.”

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.

With McKinsey, it’s never just tech. Find out how we apply strategy, deep domain expertise, and more to help clients outcompete with technology and transform their companies.




April 4, 2024

How can retailers use loyalty, pricing, and personalization to deliver greater value to cost-conscious customers? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

In today’s challenging economic landscape, retailers must find ways to stand out and attract hesitant shoppers. Most companies do so through loyalty programs, pricing strategies, and promotions. However, senior partner Emily Reasor and coauthors suggest a more effective approach: developing and deploying an integrated and customized customer strategy and experience. They note, for example, that companies piloting personalized pricing and marketing have seen two to four percentage point increases in gross profit margins, compared with those using standard offers. Realizing the full value of integration and personalization, they say, will require retailers to overcome three important challenges: coordinating cross-functional teams, building analytical capabilities, and delivering a clear and simple customer experience.

Toxic workplaces, interpersonal conflicts, and negative team dynamics are contributing to burnout and rising attrition among US nurses. A recent survey of nearly 6,000 nurses conducted by senior partner Gretchen Berlin and collaborators at McKinsey and the American Nurses Foundation found that 45 percent of early-tenure nurses (less than five years of experience) may leave their roles within six months, compared with 27 percent of most-tenured nurses (21 or more years). To retain nurses, the authors recommend that healthcare leaders offer flexible schedules, create mentorship programs, and foster a positive work environment through team-building exercises and enforcement of anti-bullying policies. Addressing these workforce challenges is crucial for strengthening the nursing pipeline and ensuring adequate staffing for quality patient care.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features Pulitzer Prize–winning author Charles Duhigg discussing his new book, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection (Random House, February 2024). Duhigg notes that “supercommunicators” ask ten to 20 times more questions than the average person and match their communication style to the type of conversation occurring. He also argues that rich conversation can happen in virtual work settings if you keep in mind the rules of each communication channel.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




March 28, 2024

Why the world’s largest financial institutions are choosing centralization as their generative AI operating model. Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that generative AI (gen AI) could boost the global banking sector’s annual revenue by $200 billion to $340 billion, mainly through productivity gains. However, many financial institutions still face significant challenges in deploying gen AI effectively. To address this, senior partner Kevin Buehler and his coauthors advocate for an operating model that manages gen AI’s unique features and risks. They note that a centralized model has been the most successful approach for more than half of the 16 largest financial institutions in Europe and the United States. Central oversight allows for streamlined talent management, risk mitigation, technology updates, and application scaling. As the technology matures, the authors expect a shift toward decentralization.

Fueled by Scope 3 emissions targets, demand for green transportation is projected to surge from a projected 2 percent of logistics spending in 2025 to 15 percent by 2030. Despite this strong demand signal, logistics companies are struggling to make green services profitable. To bridge the gap, senior partner Matteo Pacca and coauthors argue that logistics companies could shift the conversation from cost to value by bundling green offerings with premium services and collaborating with their customers to show end consumers the environmental benefits of premium pricing.

An aging global population is reshaping the demand for government services, yet the public sector workforce isn’t keeping pace. Gen Z is expected to comprise 30 percent of the global workforce by 2030 but represented only 1.6 percent of the US federal workforce in 2021. Averting this looming talent crisis will require a holistic approach to talent management, say senior partner Julia Klier and coauthors. They outline six priorities that public sector leaders can deploy to harness—rather than be overwhelmed by—the shifting demographic trends, including developing a compelling employee value proposition and establishing dynamic career pathways.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features coauthors Philip Kotler (professor emeritus of marketing at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management) and Guiseppe Stigliano (CEO of Spring Studios) discussing their new book, Redefining Retail: 10 Guiding Principles for a Post-Digital World (Wiley, January 2024). They argue that retailing is experiencing a “perfect storm” of mall closings, pandemic-amplified online shopping, and disintermediation and recommend strategies companies can take to thrive in the new retail environment, including optimizing sales and marketing channels based on consumer behavior.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




March 21, 2024

Many organizations are prioritizing generative AI, but few feel comfortable implementing it responsibly. Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Generative AI (gen AI) promises to boost innovation and productivity and add trillions to the global economy. However, this rapidly evolving technology carries risks such as bias, misinformation, and security vulnerabilities. A recent McKinsey survey reveals that 63 percent of organizations see gen AI as a priority, yet 91 percent of these respondents feel unprepared to manage the risks. To address this concern, senior partners Ida Kristensen and Lareina Yee and coauthors offer a blueprint for responsible gen AI implementation that includes focusing on efficient risk assessment, establishing a governance structure that balances technical expertise and oversight, and providing targeted training to end users.

One-third of the average person’s life—more than 90,000 hours—is spent at work. By prioritizing employee health, companies can reduce absenteeism, turnover, “presenteeism,” and work-related injuries and illnesses, argue partner Barbara Jeffery, senior partner Patrick Simon, and colleagues at the McKinsey Health Institute. They’ve identified six key drivers of employee health and well-being that employers can influence: among them, social interactions, mindsets and beliefs, and economic security. Healthier employees mean healthier businesses and societies, which, the authors estimate, could unlock $3.7 trillion to $11.7 trillion in value, equivalent to a 4 to 12 percent boost to the global GDP.

More than half of the world’s eight billion people are not economically empowered, lacking the means to afford adequate nutrition, education, healthcare, and other essentials. The newest McKinsey Explainer, which explores the question, “What is economic inclusion?,” asserts that closing the economic empowerment gap (while also achieving net-zero emissions by 2030) would require additional resources amounting to 8 percent of annual global GDP. Businesses could be crucial in bridging this divide by creating high-productivity jobs and upskilling their workforce, especially those at risk of AI automation. Beyond the productivity benefits, a true inclusive economy, argues McKinsey’s chief client officer Liz Hilton Segel, is one that provides opportunities for underserved people and communities, creates higher-wage and more fulfilling jobs, and meets people’s mental health needs.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features McKinsey senior partners Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra, offering reflections on the two-year anniversary of their bestselling book, CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest (Scribner/Simon & Schuster, March 2022). In the first installment of a three-part conversation with McKinsey Global Publishing leader Raju Narisetti, the authors recount the journey of writing the book and share their reactions to the overwhelmingly positive reception it has received from CEOs, other leaders, and even students.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




March 14, 2024

Generative AI sets higher demands on organizations for productivity, performance, and personalization in customer care. Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Customer demands. Organizational customer care leaders find themselves trapped in no-man’s-land as they balance preparing for an AI-enabled future with managing escalating customer expectations in a rapidly digitizing contact center environment. Partners Eric Buesing, Julian Raabe, and coauthors report that more than 80 percent of organizations are investing in generative AI or plan to do so soon, even as 57 percent anticipate increased call volumes in the next one to two years. Leaders are responding by prioritizing technology upgrades, operational efficiency, employee upskilling, and outsourcing partnerships—all while enhancing the customer experience and hitting revenue targets.

Cyber risks in finance. Financial institutions are rapidly adopting emerging technologies, such as cloud computing and AI, but 70 percent believe they are underspending on cybersecurity to mitigate growing risks. A recent report from partner Justin Greis, McKinsey colleagues, and collaborators at the Institute of International Finance reveals shortfalls in key capabilities such as third-party risk management (a top weakness for 65 percent of institutions) and attracting skilled talent. The report urges strategic alignment of tech priorities with security investments to harness these transformative technologies securely.

Data-driven railways. AI could unlock $13 billion to $22 billion annually for the relatively data-sparse railway industry. Still, only 25 percent of rail companies have successfully adopted AI at scale, write senior partner Nicola Sandri and coauthors. The most mature at-scale use cases include shift optimization, predictive maintenance, and security. The authors note that railways can unlock these technologies’ transformative potential by setting clear technology objectives, investing in talent upskilling, and partnering with data-driven organizations.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features Chris Dixon, a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, speaking about his new book, Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet (Random House, January 2024). Dixon argues that the internet has become overly centralized and makes the case for a decentralized architecture using blockchain technology to restore openness, empower users and creators, and promote innovation.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




March 7, 2024

Why organizational surgery may be needed before companies can see the full benefits of generative AI. Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Organizational rewiring. Companies are finding that realizing the potential value of generative AI (gen AI)—for everything from customer service to content creation—is harder than expected. According to senior partners Eric Lamarre, Alex Singla, Alexander Sukharevsky, and Rodney Zemmel, to truly benefit from gen AI, organizations must focus on rewiring the business for distributed digital and AI innovation. That involves developing the capabilities to broadly innovate, deploy, and improve scalable solutions. They note that the cost to build an AI model is often a small portion (10–15 percent) of the total cost—the real investment lies in making it work at scale.

Banking on gen AI. Gen AI has the potential to enhance risk management, compliance, and decision making in the banking industry. Senior partner Ida Kristensen and coauthors share how banks can improve efficiency and strengthen risk prevention by deploying virtual experts, automating manual processes, and accelerating code development. However, banks may also need to build or invest in high-quality data sets to ensure the accuracy of their gen AI applications.

Board director responsibilities. As the business world becomes more complex, board directors face a growing number of responsibilities, including keeping up with the latest developments in geopolitics, technology, and sustainability. They’re also expected to engage more deeply with senior management on strategy, investments, M&A, talent, and organizational issues. In a recent episode of the Inside the Strategy Room podcast, McKinsey senior partner Frithjof Lund and corporate board members Karen McLoughlin and Steven Sterin share tips that board directors can use to create value, including inviting new directors to meet on-site with the company’s frontline leadership. Given the likelihood of ever-increasing responsibilities, Sterin suggests that directors may also need to consider reducing the number of boards they serve on.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features former executive vice president and COO of PepsiCo Grace Puma speaking about her new book, Career Forward: Strategies from Women Who’ve Made It (Scribner/Simon & Schuster, February 2024), coauthored with Christiana Shi, a former Nike executive and McKinsey senior partner emeritus. Puma details how working women can shatter the glass ceiling and describes five essential elements that define long-term career success.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




February 29, 2024

Will AI be to the Fourth Industrial Revolution what steam was to the first? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Just as the First Industrial Revolution was powered by steam, our current Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) will be powered by AI. Enabled by the capture of terabytes of data from a broad range of sources, AI can accelerate industrial innovation. Senior partner Enno de Boer and coauthors suggest that organizations at the forefront of 4IR won’t, for instance, run narrow trials to transform factories but will instead use entire factories as pilots for networkwide deployment.

A compelling equity story is necessary to attract capital from large, sophisticated investors. Partners Jamie Koenig, Anna Mattsson, and coauthors detail mistakes companies often make when attempting to convince these investors. To convey a winning equity story, leaders should avoid canned presentations and instead articulate a plan for long-term value creation that’s backed by evidence of tangible steps already taken. It’s important to focus on a limited number of vital themes and make sure they’re contextualized within broader industry trends.

Generative AI (gen AI) could be transformative for American state governments. Gen AI is here now, can be user-friendly, and doesn’t necessarily require an overhaul of existing IT infrastructure. Senior partners Gayatri Shenai, Tim Ward, and coauthors say state governments that seize the gen AI opportunity could be rewarded with improved operational efficiency, better resident experiences, useful insights from existing data sets, and enhanced talent management.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features organizational psychologist Robert I. Sutton speaking about his new book, The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder (St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan Publishers, January 2024). Sutton explains how leaders can reduce bad friction (that harms productivity) and inject good friction (that prevents, for instance, unethical behavior) into their organizations.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in McKinsey’s New York office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




February 22, 2024

Is M&A poised for a comeback? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Global M&A activity fell by 16 percent in 2023. But a surge in the fourth quarter suggests that M&A could be on a path to recovery. Senior partners Jake Henry and Mieke Van Oostende say the market remains durable, in part because M&A is a vital strategic lever for companies adapting to shifts in the business landscape. Much cash remains on the sidelines, and healthy job growth, robust consumer spending, and subsiding inflation fears all point to a more favorable environment for M&A in 2024.

Self-assessments gathered from more than 100 CEOs, mostly representing companies headquartered in Asia, reveal the issues weighing on corporate leaders today. Many CEOs report that they are least confident in their ability to engage effectively with board members and to allocate resources objectively (especially when it means shutting down initiatives). But most CEOs feel secure in their ability to set a vision for an organization, remain true to their convictions, and practice gratitude and humility. Senior partners Gautam Kumra, Joydeep Sengupta, and Mukund Sridhar note that when CEOs take the time to pause, reflect, and invest in their learning, they can improve their confidence across a broad range of duties.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features Andrew McAfee, principal research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, speaking about his new book, The Geek Way: The Radical Mindset That Drives Extraordinary Results (Little, Brown and Company/Hachette Book Group, November 2023). McAfee explains his theory that a corporate culture built on obsessiveness and unconventionality is more likely to thrive.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in McKinsey’s New York office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




February 15, 2024

Why do healthy organizations outperform unhealthy ones by as much as three to one? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

More than two decades of McKinsey research shows that organizational health remains the top indicator of a company’s long-term success and sustained performance. According to McKinsey senior partner Arne Gast and coauthors, healthy organizations exhibit four foundational behaviors, among them a clear plan to execute their vision and strategy and a keen awareness of their position in the competitive landscape. They also deliver three times the TSR of unhealthy organizations. In one study, companies that improved their organizational health saw a notable 18 percent increase in EBITDA within just a year.

In the US, Black residents continue to lag their White neighbors in health, economic, and social outcomes, according to a report on the impact of location on the state of racial equity in the US. On a recent episode of The McKinsey Podcast, McKinsey partner JP Julien notes that Black residents are doing better in the suburbs, which benefit from their proximity to high-growth cities, than in other locations but not nearly as well as they could be. Julien says that closing the racial wealth gap will require sustained private and public investment in housing, education, and economic opportunities.

For much of the past decade, the medtech industry enjoyed strong results. In recent years, however, performance has been mixed. In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a record number of novel devices, but medtech companies’ profits still fell short of investor expectations. McKinsey senior partners Karsten Dalgaard, Gerti Pellumbi, and Peter Pfeiffer and colleagues expect another strong year of innovation in 2024, especially in the cardiovascular, digital-health-device, and neuromodulation segments. Industry growth could exceed prepandemic rates in the new year, with China, Japan, and the US continuing to lead the way, but performance across geographies could remain uneven.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features Howard Friedman, a data scientist, health economist, and adjunct professor of health policy and management at Columbia University, speaking about his new book Winning with Data Science: A Handbook for Business Leaders (Columbia Business School Publishing, January 2024). Friedman says that business leaders can get the most from their data science teams by having conversations, learning basic concepts and frameworks, and asking good questions.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Jermey Matthews, an editor in McKinsey’s Boston office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




February 8, 2024

Differences in outcomes for Black Americans can be tied to community types. Our weekly digest explores topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

A new report on the state of Black residents looks at differences in outcomes for Black Americans living in various types of communities. Outcomes are broadly better in suburban and high-growth areas of the United States, but these places generally have smaller Black populations. In almost no areas are outcomes for Black residents on par with those of their White neighbors, and, at current rates of change, it could take centuries to achieve racial parity within communities. Senior partner Shelley Stewart III and coauthors identify affordable housing and early-childhood education as priority areas for action when it comes to narrowing racial gaps in a wide range of locales.

The payments industry is confronting greater risk, intensifying regulatory scrutiny, and shifting global standards. There are indications that delinquency levels could ramp up, which may render some prior credit models unreliable. Prioritizing risk management could help payments services providers reduce potential liabilities, protect customers, and maintain regulatory compliance. But risk management isn’t only about downside: partners Ishanaa Rambachan, Julian Sevillano, Vasiliki Stergiou, and coauthors say that risk can be a lever for growth. With strong risk management in place, companies can consider, for instance, entering markets or segments that they might previously have avoided.

The medical-aesthetics market, which includes neuromodulators (such as injectable Botox) and dermal fillers, has climbed steadily since 2019, with private-equity acquisitions growing approximately 30 percent a year from 2019 to 2021. Senior partners Olivier Leclerc, Nils Peters, and coauthor point to manufacturer innovations and an increasingly diverse consumer base as reasons to expect continuing resilience. Analysis suggests the market for medical aesthetics is potentially underserved, as many consumers say they plan to try a medical-aesthetics product in coming years.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features Mohammed Alardhi, executive chairman of Investcorp, speaking about his new book, Connecting to the Future: A Blueprint for Dynamic Leadership (Simon Element/Simon & Schuster, October 2023). Alardhi explains how the situational awareness he developed while flying fighter jets for the Royal Air Force of Oman has helped him navigate the world of investment and asset management.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in McKinsey’s New York office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




February 1, 2024

What challenges and opportunities await private markets in 2024? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Private markets face another year filled with uncertainty. Fundraising and overall deal volume were slow in 2023 and might see only modest growth in 2024. Amid this context, senior partners Fredrik Dahlqvist, Alastair Green, David Quigley, and coauthors identify ten considerations for private-market decision makers. The authors suggest that larger funds could continue to be in favor, infrastructure investing could accelerate, and real estate deal volume could ramp back up.

Individual US states could play a vital role in America’s decarbonization efforts. States should consider how to access and use national subsidies to help advance an orderly energy transition. Senior partner Adi Kumar and coauthors propose that state-level leaders can look for ways to convene public and private sector stakeholders, develop integrated energy transition plans, coordinate infrastructure projects, and catalyze the development, adoption, and scaling of climate technologies.

Semiconductor demand is expected to keep growing. Senior partners Ondrej Burkacky, Matteo Mancini, Mark Patel, and coauthors submit that, to meet this increased demand, semiconductor manufacturers could expand operations into new regions. In exploring this greenfield opportunity, manufacturers should look for locations that are secure enough to minimize supply chain risks, have access to plentiful renewable resources, and can potentially benefit from government-sponsored subsidies.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

A recent edition of Author Talks features Moshik Temkin, a fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, speaking about his new book, Warriors, Rebels, and Saints: The Art of Leadership from Machiavelli to Malcolm X (PublicAffairs/Hachette Book Group, November 2023). Temkin says that history offers examples illuminating a wide range of leadership styles.

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in McKinsey’s New York office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




January 25, 2024

Could closing the women's health gap improve the global economy? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Women spend 25 percent more time in poor health than men, and more than half of this gap occurs during women’s working years. Expanding research into women’s health issues could improve lives while also boosting productivity. In a new report from the McKinsey Health Institute, senior partners Kweilin Ellingrud, Lucy Pérez, and their coauthors say that for every $1 invested in women’s health—including funding to address medical conditions that disproportionately affect women—$3 in economic value could be created. The impact on the global economy could equate to at least $1 trillion annually by 2040.

In a Davos debriefing, senior partner Ishaan Seth recaps banking-related themes that emerged from the recently wrapped World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Generative AI (gen AI) was not a major topic at last year’s event, but this year, it was nearly impossible to have a conversation that didn’t touch on its implications. Ensuring preparedness for “crucible moments”—pivotal decision points that can make or break a company—is also claiming an increasing share of business leaders’ attention amid the current context of uncertainty. And while Davos delegates were largely hopeful about the possibility of an economic soft landing and pleasantly surprised at the ongoing resilience of consumer spending, banking leaders (who are acutely aware that consumer savings have become heavily depleted over the past year) still see a macroeconomic picture marked by fragility.

The shifting macroeconomic landscape could create intensifying competition within the wealth management industry in the United States. Many wealth managers are implementing more affordable client acquisition strategies, such as direct-to-consumer marketing. Meanwhile, clients are increasingly seeking one-stop-shop solutions. Senior partners Jonathan Godsall, Jill Zucker, and coauthors say that wealth managers could reposition their franchises by pursuing strategies such as expanding their offerings, leveraging gen AI capabilities, and reallocating resources to highest-conviction priorities.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in McKinsey’s New York office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




January 18, 2024

Will 2024 offer stagnation—or a chance to lift productivity? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Ongoing economic uncertainty could provide companies with a three-sided productivity opportunity. By upskilling workers and updating operations, offsetting higher input prices and interest rates by leveraging capital, and investing in technology and innovation, companies can boost their growth and profitability even while navigating a shifting landscape. Senior partners Asutosh Padhi, Sven Smit, and their coauthor say that business productivity gains writ large could eventually translate into GDP growth, higher living standards, and the advent of future abundance.

Thirty percent of CEOs don’t make it past year three in the role. In discussions with dozens of CEOs from around the world, senior partners Carolyn Dewar and Vik Malhotra have found that many CEOs feel they could have performed better in year one. Four key elements of preparation can help a prospective CEO hit the ground running: assess your motivations and expectations, inform your outlook on the future of your company and industry, inject humility into your perspective, and deeply understand the board’s selection process so you can align your vision with it.

More than half of employees say they are disengaged at work, according to recent McKinsey research. Senior partner Aaron De Smet and coauthors suggest that employers can use a short quiz to help determine where workers fall on the satisfaction spectrum. By understanding employee archetypes—from disruptor to thriving star—and improving engagement through different tactics tailored to each group, employers can create healthier workplaces while improving organizational performance.

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI. 

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in McKinsey’s New York office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




January 11, 2024

Which digital ideas are flying under the radar? Our weekly digest explores that topic and more.

This week’s headline findings:

Generative AI (gen AI) is getting a lot of attention, but it’s important that business leaders not ignore other digital topics that are core imperatives. Senior partners Kate Smaje and Rodney Zemmel identify ten ideas flying slightly under the radar that could help shape the modern business landscape. Among them: innovators dominate headlines, but only those that scale a technology can dominate markets (more than 40 percent of digital and AI transformations stall out at the scaling phase); well-implemented digital solutions compound competitive advantages (the distance between digital AI leaders and their competitors has increased by 60 percent over the past three years); and—as simple as it sounds, it’s sometimes overlooked—the ultimate purpose of new digital initiatives is to build value (organizations that lead successful transformations deliver, on average, 2.7 times the value they initially expected).

Regulatory bodies are weighing possible policies governing the use of AI and gen AI. Concerns involve issues such as intellectual property infringement, privacy violations, and the spread of misinformation. Senior partner Daniel Mikkelsen and coauthors say organizations should prepare now by self-regulating to avoid potential legal, financial, and reputational risks. Among the no-regrets actions that organizations can take today: create transparency on AI and gen AI usage, implement governance structures that ensure oversight and accountability, and educate users about their individual rights.

When a CEO prepares to exit the role, the moment is fraught with risks for both the executive and the organization. Finding the right time can be difficult, as many CEOs feel they can’t leave when times are tough but don’t want to leave when things are going great. In an appearance on McKinsey’s Inside the Strategy Room podcast, senior partners Carolyn Dewar, Kurt Strovink, and partner Blair Epstein say CEOs should prepare for their successions (in consultation with their boards) from day one, ensure their potential successors receive proper leadership development and experience, and err on the side of leaving too early instead of too late. After the transition happens, former CEOs should get out of the way (and consider taking some time off before diving into anything else).

Further notable analysis from McKinsey:

The case study collection Rewired in Action illuminates companies that have launched digital transformations to build value. Supported by technical and industry expertise from McKinsey, these organizations have changed their trajectories through the integration of digital and AI.

This briefing note, based on McKinsey’s latest published insights, was prepared by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in McKinsey’s New York office.

Do these insights resonate with you? What else should we be writing about now? Tell us by emailing insightstoimpact@mckinsey.com.




For McKinsey’s 2023 perspectives on sustainable and inclusive growth, visit our archive of briefing notes that were published throughout the year.