Will productivity and growth return after the COVID-19 crisis?

Bold innovation by some firms under pressure of the pandemic could deliver a productivity dividend, but that depends on corporate action broadening and robust demand.
Will productivity and growth return after the COVID-19 crisis?

How insurers can act on the opportunity of digital ecosystems

Professor Markus Warg, an ecosystem and platform enthusiast, discusses the role that big tech will play in insurance and the importance of setting the rules of the game within ecosystems.
How insurers can act on the opportunity of digital ecosystems

When will the COVID-19 pandemic end?

This article updates our perspectives on when the coronavirus pandemic will end to reflect the latest information on vaccine rollout, variants of concern, and disease progression. In the United Kingdom and the United States, we see progress toward a transition to normalcy during the second quarter of 2021. The new wave of cases in the European Union means that a similar transition is likely to come later there, in the late second or third quarter. Improved vaccine availability makes herd immunity most likely in the third quarter for the United Kingdom and the United States and in the fourth quarter for the European Union, but risks threaten that timeline. The timeline in other countries will depend on seven crucial variables. And when herd immunity is reached, the risks will not vanish; herd immunity may prove temporary or be limited to regions in a country.
When will the COVID-19 pandemic end?

The rapid evolution of the payer Chief Medical Officer

The payer CMO has moved from a physician executive to strategic business partner. Organizations that embrace this expanded and diversified role for the CMO can create sustained competitive advantage and unlock significant value for the enterprise and its stakeholders.
The rapid evolution of the payer Chief Medical Officer

The postpandemic state of fashion

A transformative year in the technology, trends, and tastes in fashion.
The postpandemic state of fashion

China’s travel sector is undergoing a nonlinear recovery: What should companies do?

Our latest survey of Chinese-traveler sentiment indicates there’s no straight path to recovery. We suggest three areas travel companies can focus on to succeed.
China’s travel sector is undergoing a nonlinear recovery: What should companies do?

Sustainability in packaging: Investable themes

Mapping five industry-shaping trends uncovers specific investable themes for participating in sustainable packaging.
Sustainability in packaging: Investable themes

African banking in the new reality

Swift action and a focus on three imperatives could strengthen African banks and support recovery.
African banking in the new reality

What’s next for Bangladesh’s garment industry, after a decade of growth?

Pandemic pressure and shifts in global markets have brought stiff challenges to the garment industry in Bangladesh. The sector will need to innovate, upgrade, and diversify, investing in flexibility, sustainability, worker welfare, and infrastructure.
What’s next for Bangladesh’s garment industry, after a decade of growth?

Five insights about harnessing data and AI from leaders at the frontier

Four CEOs describe what goes into turning a world of data into a data-driven world
Five insights about harnessing data and AI from leaders at the frontier

Author Talks: Saadia Madsbjerg on making money moral

In their new book, Saadia Madsbjerg and Judith Rodin offer a road map to making the financial market a force for good.
Author Talks: Saadia Madsbjerg on making money moral

The big reset: Data-driven marketing in the next normal

Savvy marketers are rethinking their tech and data strategies to double down on precision marketing following COVID-19.
The big reset: Data-driven marketing in the next normal

Should you start issuing EPS guidance again?

You may have suspended the practice because of the COVID-19 crisis. But if you resume it now, you may miss an opportunity to improve communications with investors.
Should you start issuing EPS guidance again?

The path forward for European grocery retailers

COVID-19 changed the market in unprecedented ways in the past months. Now evolving consumer demands also require grocery retailers to adopt new strategies to increase performance and pursue growth.
The path forward for European grocery retailers

Four regions, four stories of recovery and resilience

An assessment of shareholder returns in the world’s four largest capital markets reveals how the global stock market fared in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four regions, four stories of recovery and resilience

How a Russian retailer is building a next-generation grocery business

In just one year, Pyaterochka experienced a fiftyfold increase in online-grocery demand. The spike was unexpected—but the company was ready. And its CEO is preparing for even more change ahead.
How a Russian retailer is building a next-generation grocery business

Securing small and medium-size enterprises: What’s next?

Small and medium-size enterprises are becoming an increasingly attractive segment for cybersecurity-technology and -solution providers.
Securing small and medium-size enterprises: What’s next?

Equally good, equally bad? The flat landscape of customer experience in Romania

Customer experience (CX) is how customers perceive their interactions with companies – a defining factor in how loyal they are to a brand across its lifecycle. According to a recent survey conducted by McKinsey & Company, customer experience in Romania is a relatively flat landscape, with no clear leaders in any of the six industries investigated. This new piece of research highlights significant opportunities for companies that aspire to differentiate themselves on the Romanian market.
Equally good, equally bad? The flat landscape of customer experience in Romania

AI-powered decision making for the bank of the future

Banks are already strengthening customer relationships and lowering costs by using artificial intelligence to guide customer engagement. Success requires that capability stacks include the right decisioning elements.
AI-powered decision making for the bank of the future

The elusive inclusive workplace

In the wake of the pandemic, you’ve committed to fast action on diversity. The first step is a new, more inclusive lens on talent management—straight through the life cycle.
The elusive inclusive workplace

Fit for the postpandemic future: Unilever’s Leena Nair on reinventing how we work

As chief human resources officer, responsible for 150,000 Unilever employees, Leena Nair prepares for the future of work by focusing on both the care of people and the competitiveness of the business.
Fit for the postpandemic future: Unilever’s Leena Nair on reinventing how we work

Refractory gold ores: Challenges and opportunities for a key source of growth

High-grade refractory gold reserves offer the potential for lower costs per ounce despite higher capital and operational costs. A focus on three action areas can help maximize the opportunity.
Refractory gold ores: Challenges and opportunities for a key source of growth

Author Talks: Gregory B. Fairchild on the next frontier in racial equality

In his new book, Gregory Fairchild shows the power of treating underserved communities as emerging markets.
Author Talks: Gregory B. Fairchild on the next frontier in racial equality

McKinsey for Kids: (Food) waste not, want not

In this edition of McKinsey for Kids, see why throwing away food is a bigger problem than you think—and what McKinsey and others are doing to help reduce food waste so more people can fill their bellies.
McKinsey for Kids: (Food) waste not, want not

Made to measure: Getting design leadership metrics right

Setting a North Star and combining qualitative data with quantitative measures can demonstrate the value and effectiveness of design.
Made to measure: Getting design leadership metrics right

High growth, low profit: The e-commerce dilemma for CPG companies

Online sales of consumer packaged goods have soared during the pandemic. But for many CPG manufacturers, e-commerce means thinner margins. Here’s how to change that.
High growth, low profit: The e-commerce dilemma for CPG companies

Defining and seizing the mobility ecosystem opportunity

What mobility ecosystems will help OEMs and other industry stakeholders in the next normal?
Defining and seizing the mobility ecosystem opportunity

From the private sector to public service: What ex-US corporate executives need to know

Four directives can ease incoming US federal leaders’ transition from the boardroom to government service.
From the private sector to public service: What ex-US corporate executives need to know

Democratizing Indonesia’s housing market: An interview with Pahala Mansury

BTN’s former president director explains how the Indonesian bank is making housing affordable for all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Democratizing Indonesia’s housing market: An interview with Pahala Mansury

Transforming quality and warranty through advanced analytics

Industrial companies are leveraging advanced analytics, through artificial intelligence and machine learning, to drive quality and warranty transformations to the next level.
Transforming quality and warranty through advanced analytics

Keeping McDonald’s ‘relevant’: An interview with CEO Chris Kempczinski

Soon after Chris Kempczinski became CEO, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the restaurant chain suffered the worst quarter in its history. But under his leadership, recovery—and growth—are once again on the horizon.
Keeping McDonald’s ‘relevant’: An interview with CEO Chris Kempczinski

Building a cloud-ready operating model for agility and resiliency

Four operating-model changes can help companies accelerate the journey to cloud.
Building a cloud-ready operating model for agility and resiliency

Reimagining tourism: How Vietnam can accelerate travel recovery

While domestic travel has kept the Vietnamese travel sector afloat, the industry needs to reinvent itself until international tourism resumes.
Reimagining tourism: How Vietnam can accelerate travel recovery

The committed innovator: A conversation with board director Ireena Vittal

The global innovation expert on solving the puzzle of growth in emerging markets.
The committed innovator: A conversation with board director Ireena Vittal

How COVID-19 will change the low-wage labor market permanently

A sustained recovery to an economy with full employment and ample “good jobs” will require a significant reallocation of workers from the low-wage, low-skill positions that have been eliminated to new ones requiring higher skills and more training, write Laura Tyson and Susan Lund in Los Angeles Times.
How COVID-19 will change the low-wage labor market permanently

Accelerating data and analytics transformations in the public sector

A data and analytics transformation is particularly hard for organizations in the public sector, given their scale and operating constraints. But some are making progress and offer valuable lessons.
Accelerating data and analytics transformations in the public sector

How to spend $12 trillion

Although some government pandemic-support programs have combined ambitious design with effective delivery, many fall short in one or both areas, write Anu Madgavkar and Olivia White in Project Syndicate.
How to spend $12 trillion

Why 2021 will define the next decade for Australian companies

Companies face increased threats and opportunities from disruption, but a return to business as usual won’t be sufficient to generate outperformance. Now is the time to take ambitious action.
Why 2021 will define the next decade for Australian companies

Innovation: Your launchpad out of the COVID-19 crisis

To innovate your way out of this downturn, you need to change behaviors and mindsets—starting at the very top.
Innovation: Your launchpad out of the COVID-19 crisis

Author Talks: Nicolai Tillisch on how to frame ambition (and not let it frame you)

Years of coaching leaders led to an ah-ha moment: ambition can undermine even the most successful people. The challenge is more complex than work–life balance.
Author Talks: Nicolai Tillisch on how to frame ambition (and not let it frame you)

The consumer demand recovery and lasting effects of COVID-19

The pandemic led to an unprecedented consumption shock across countries that upended long-standing consumer habits. But what happens once the pandemic is over?
The consumer demand recovery and lasting effects of COVID-19

How ‘trading as a service’ unlocks opportunities for banks

Scale is crucial for capital markets sell-side firms in flow businesses. Trading as a service can make scale benefits more widely available, with opportunities for large banks and other market players.
How ‘trading as a service’ unlocks opportunities for banks

Flying across the sea, propelled by AI

To help Emirates Team New Zealand successfully defend their America’s Cup title, we introduced them to a new sailor: a McKinsey-built AI bot.
Flying across the sea, propelled by AI

Looking ahead in US consumer health: An interview with Scott Melville

Self-care, digital health, and e-commerce will all play a central role in shaping the future of wellness, says the CEO of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.
Looking ahead in US consumer health: An interview with Scott Melville

Road to recovery: The state of corporate restructuring in Europe

As the next normal draws nearer, trends in corporate restructuring are coming into focus. Here’s how organizations can prepare.
Road to recovery: The state of corporate restructuring in Europe

Five Fifty: Better bosses

Of all the misery in the world, one source lies within an organization’s sphere of influence: the behavior of its bosses and supervisors.
Five Fifty: Better bosses

Creating a more resilient and responsive government

The pandemic has put demands on the public sector that are likely to increase.
Creating a more resilient and responsive government

The productivity imperative for US life and annuities carriers

Productivity is a vital element of economic value creation. Research reveals what makes top performers different.
The productivity imperative for US life and annuities carriers

The future of G&A: Revitalizing the heart of the organization

General and administrative functions are under pressure to become more digital, more agile, and better aligned to the needs of the wider business. A more strategic model could hold the key.
The future of G&A: Revitalizing the heart of the organization

The future of the European steel industry

A road map toward economic and environmental sustainability
The future of the European steel industry

The manufacturers lighting a path to sustainable growth

Amid disruption, lighthouses have unlocked hidden capacity, widened new revenue streams, and gained market share—all while engaging workers and increasing sustainability. And at surprisingly low cost.
The manufacturers lighting a path to sustainable growth

Smart quality in advanced industries

Advanced-industries companies have the unique opportunity to implement an approach to quality that goes well beyond execution and compliance.
Smart quality in advanced industries

Omnichannel in B2B sales: The new normal in a year that has been anything but

New analysis makes it clear: Omnichannel is here to stay for B2B sales.
Omnichannel in B2B sales: The new normal in a year that has been anything but

Strengthening the IT security posture in corporates and industrials

Organizations must decide which information-security risks they willingly accept and where to invest to stay in balance.
Strengthening the IT security posture in corporates and industrials

Unlocking the omnichannel opportunity in contract logistics

As e-commerce volumes surge, contract-logistics companies face increasing complexity. How can they capture more value in a $600 billion opportunity?
Unlocking the omnichannel opportunity in contract logistics

COVID-19’s impact on demand and costs in the CPG industry

These four takeaways on top- and bottom-line implications can help consumer-packaged-goods companies navigate the coming year.
COVID-19’s impact on demand and costs in the CPG industry

Effectively implementing President Biden’s supply-chain review

President Biden’s February 24, 2021, executive order calls for reviews of critical US supply chains. We share lessons and suggestions from our experience in building supply-chain resilience.
Effectively implementing President Biden’s supply-chain review

The new possible: How HR can help build the organization of the future

The pandemic underscores the urgency for a more dynamic talent and work model. Human-resources leaders can help by focusing on identity, agility, and scalability.
The new possible: How HR can help build the organization of the future

Author Talks: Deanna Mulligan on smart skill building

The former chair and CEO of Guardian Insurance offers a theory of change for those hiring, retaining, and retraining the next generation of tech-savvy employees.
Author Talks: Deanna Mulligan on smart skill building

The digital power plant of the future

The power industry must overcome significant challenges in its journey to digitize, but successful transformations could result in the next S-curve of performance.
The digital power plant of the future

Charting a path from the shuchu kiyaku to ESG for Japanese companies

Long steeped in a sense of purpose, Japanese companies should naturally embrace ESG. But our analysis suggests they could be doing much more.
Charting a path from the shuchu kiyaku to ESG for Japanese companies

Seven lessons on how technology transformations can deliver value

Our annual IT strategy survey shows how technology investments are proving their worth, especially at companies making more tech-based changes and bridging more of the technology-business divide.
Seven lessons on how technology transformations can deliver value

Revolutionizing insurance: The personalized insurance engine

Uwe Stuhldreier—an executive at HUK24, Germany’s largest fully digital direct insurer—discusses a customer-centric, digitally enabled business model that could shape the future of insurance.
Revolutionizing insurance: The personalized insurance engine

Black representation in film and TV: The challenges and impact of increasing diversity

New research reveals the barriers that Black talent in the film and TV industry faces, the economic fallout, and solutions for creating a more inclusive, equitable workplace.
Black representation in film and TV: The challenges and impact of increasing diversity

How tech, media, and telecom winners use talent to stay ahead

Certain capabilities matter more for performance than others, particularly when combined in the right way
How tech, media, and telecom winners use talent to stay ahead

Scale or fail: How incumbents can industrialize new-business building

Repeatable, successful innovation requires a dedicated ‘growth engine’ that can build promising ventures into growing businesses.
Scale or fail: How incumbents can industrialize new-business building

The big choices for oil and gas in navigating the energy transition

As oil and gas companies respond to the current economic discontinuities, they must choose where and how to compete as the world transitions to a low-carbon future.
The big choices for oil and gas in navigating the energy transition

How Brazil can optimize its cost of energy

Brazil’s energy costs remain higher than that of its global peers. Investing in diversification, grid improvement, and energy efficiency could lower prices and expand supply.
How Brazil can optimize its cost of energy

The impact of COVID-19 on capital markets, one year in

Stock market performance reveals the impact of accelerating trends, growing gaps between the winners and the rest, and a flow of value to megaplayers.
The impact of COVID-19 on capital markets, one year in

COVID-19 and rural communities: Protecting rural lives and health

Near-term actions can help rural communities as they manage the pandemic on three fronts: treating serious COVID-19 cases, curbing further spread of the virus, and addressing mental health and social needs.
COVID-19 and rural communities: Protecting rural lives and health

Retail speaks: Seven imperatives for the industry

After a year like no other, the US retail industry faces a still-uncertain future. Our latest research highlights seven imperatives that will position retailers for success—regardless of what is next.
Retail speaks: Seven imperatives for the industry

How McKinsey built a world-class AI sailor

America’s Cup defender Emirates Team New Zealand teamed up with McKinsey & Company ahead of this year’s race. Together, they developed a world-class sailor—and it isn’t human.
How McKinsey built a world-class AI sailor

How to transform higher-education institutions for the long term

As financial pressures on higher-education institutions compound, a transformation approach focused on five best practices can help leaders make lasting change.
How to transform higher-education institutions for the long term

A better approach to M&A in North American insurance

Large deals are enticing but rare—and smaller ones create more value. Programmatic deal making would help.
A better approach to M&A in North American insurance

The McKinsey Crossword: “That Hurts!” | No. 14

Sharpen your problem-solving skills the McKinsey way, with our weekly crossword. Each puzzle is created with the McKinsey audience in mind, and includes a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) business theme for you to find. Answers that are directionally correct may not cut it if you’re looking for a quick win. Either play the interactive version, or if you like putting pen(cil) to paper, download and print when you're ready to engage. Check back each Tuesday for a new puzzle or, better yet, sign up to get an alert each week when the next challenge is ready.
The McKinsey Crossword: “That Hurts!” | No. 14

In conversation: The COVID-Exit

Despite a resurgence of infections, confidence is rising about an end to the pandemic. Here is how to grow your way out of the crisis.
In conversation: The COVID-Exit

Insights on utilization of behavioral health services in the context of COVID-19

Behavioral health needs have increased since the pandemic began even as the use of behavioral health services has decreased.
Insights on utilization of behavioral health services in the context of COVID-19

Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, February 2021

Economic recovery is driven by manufacturing and trade, with surging demand from China; vaccination programs make progress, if slowly.
Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, February 2021

Creating a postpandemic recovery for women in the workplace

COVID-19 has pushed working women to the point where many have dropped out. Here’s how companies can help.
Creating a postpandemic recovery for women in the workplace

Seven charts that show COVID-19’s impact on women’s employment

For International Women’s Day 2021, we look back at the harm that the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought on women’s employment trends—and a glimpse of how to restore progress.
Seven charts that show COVID-19’s impact on women’s employment

Sustainability in packaging: Consumer views in emerging Asia

Rising sustainability concerns within developing Asia, a key growth vector, make understanding the consumer perspective critical to capturing the growth opportunity for packaging companies.
Sustainability in packaging: Consumer views in emerging Asia

How digital tools can help transform African agri-food systems

Higher income for farmers, increased output, and improved food security are among the benefits of utilizing digital tools in an agricultural setting.
How digital tools can help transform African agri-food systems

How a steel plant in India tapped the value of data—and won global acclaim

By upskilling employees and innovating with analytics, Tata Steel’s plant in Kalinganagar, India, achieved performance gains that earned it recognition as a leading digital facility by the World Economic Forum.
How a steel plant in India tapped the value of data—and won global acclaim

A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal

Fathers who take leave help their partners, their families, and themselves. In this era of employee mental-health challenges, companies should take notice.
A fresh look at paternity leave: Why the benefits extend beyond the personal

A battle plan for telcos’ digital-attacker brands

Many operators need to transform themselves to cope with new market conditions but have had difficulty making an organization-wide overhaul. A smart digital-attacker strategy may be the solution.
A battle plan for telcos’ digital-attacker brands

How AI-powered solutions can help optimize smelters

Smelter performance is frequently compromised. Two case examples illustrate how advanced process controls and artificial intelligence can be implemented for end-to-end optimization.
How AI-powered solutions can help optimize smelters

Mobility investments in the next normal

A new survey looks at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer sentiment, which could influence future mobility investments.
Mobility investments in the next normal

Hardware’s business-model shift: Finding a new path forward

New business models present an opportunity for IT-infrastructure providers, who are facing a migration in value as buyers demand cloud-like, customer-centric experiences.
Hardware’s business-model shift: Finding a new path forward

The Indian automotive industry: From resilience to resurgence?

Indian automotive sales have shown resilience during the pandemic but have not returned to their pre-COVID-19 strength. What will it take to go from resilience to resurgence?
The Indian automotive industry: From resilience to resurgence?

Accounting for values and valuation

Former UPS finance chief Kurt Kuehn describes how the SASB framework can help companies measure, manage, and disclose material ESG and other nonfinancial risks.
Accounting for values and valuation

Product innovation: The new imperative for insurers in Asia

Incumbent insurers in Asia find product innovation challenging. Developing products to respond to customer needs, not risks or competitor actions, will be crucial.
Product innovation: The new imperative for insurers in Asia

International personal-data transfer amid regulatory upheaval

The Schrems II ruling created a noteworthy disruption in the data-privacy environment. Here, we outline a risk-based approach to managing uncertainty from the ruling.
International personal-data transfer amid regulatory upheaval

Building sustainable and affordable urban living: A conversation with White Peak’s Jesper Jos Olsson

Not many companies are bold enough to enter the challenging Chinese market without a local partner. But a desire to retain full control, and the belief that relying on local partners may hinder its ability to learn and scale, eventually paid off, according to the cofounder of a Beijing-based, Swedish property developer.
Building sustainable and affordable urban living: A conversation with White Peak’s Jesper Jos Olsson

The McKinsey Crossword: Juggling Act | No. 13

Sharpen your problem-solving skills the McKinsey way, with our weekly crossword. Each puzzle is created with the McKinsey audience in mind, and includes a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) business theme for you to find. Answers that are directionally correct may not cut it if you’re looking for a quick win. Either play the interactive version, or if you like putting pen(cil) to paper, download and print when you're ready to engage. Check back each Tuesday for a new puzzle or, better yet, sign up to get an alert each week when the next challenge is ready.
The McKinsey Crossword: Juggling Act | No. 13

Flying across the sea, propelled by AI

To help Emirates Team New Zealand defend their America’s Cup title, we introduced them to a new sailor: a McKinsey-built AI bot.
Flying across the sea, propelled by AI

Five Fifty: Breaking through in health

Scientific innovation can speed effective responses to future pandemics and health crises. Here are ten promising innovations.
Five Fifty: Breaking through in health

Strategic resilience during the COVID-19 crisis

Organizations that rapidly reinvented themselves in response to the pandemic can provide lessons on resilience.
Strategic resilience during the COVID-19 crisis

Scale matters … to an extent: Playing the scale game in insurance

Large insurers can turn their scale into a strong competitive advantage—if they recognize that fully harnessing the benefits of scale requires managing complexity.
Scale matters … to an extent: Playing the scale game in insurance

Can a Japanese pharmaceutical become a social innovator?

Santen CIO Minori Hara explains how IT is enabling the ophthalmological company to deliver a holistic sense of well-being around eye health.
Can a Japanese pharmaceutical become a social innovator?

Teacher survey: Learning loss is global—and significant

While the education response to the COVID-19 pandemic has varied widely, teachers agree on the high cost of remote learning, especially for vulnerable students.
Teacher survey: Learning loss is global—and significant

Explore the visualization

While the education response to the COVID-19 pandemic has varied widely, teachers agree on the high cost of remote learning, especially for vulnerable students.
Explore the visualization

How private equity can catalyze diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

Private equity has an opportunity to transform the global business community and improve returns.
How private equity can catalyze diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

How chemical players can win in the transition to digital platforms

Many B2B buyers prefer purchasing products using digital channels. Choosing the right operating model is critical for reaching customers across the chemical industry’s fragmented markets.
How chemical players can win in the transition to digital platforms

Road work ahead: The emerging revolution in the road construction industry

Four technology trends could help improve road functionality, construction, and maintenance, creating opportunities for greater safety, efficiency, and economic success.
Road work ahead: The emerging revolution in the road construction industry