Financing social change

August 2012—A cofounder and former chairman of Apax Partners, Sir Ronald Cohen pioneered the British venture-capital industry. In a conversation with former McKinsey managing director Ian Davis, available on our Social Sector practice page, he describes the opportunities and challenges of financing social investments.more

Mobile money: Getting to scale in emerging markets

May 2012—The biggest barriers arise from misperceptions and poor execution. Providers can do better.more

Lars H. Thunell on encouraging private-sector investing in emerging markets

June 2012—The departing head of the International Finance Corporation discusses its mission to improve the lives of the world’s poor.more

Tapping the next big thing in emerging-market banking

April 2012—Lending to micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises looks particularly attractive. Here’s how to overcome the traditional risks in reaching this market. more

Boosting productivity in US higher education

April 2011—America’s economic health depends on additional college-trained workers. Some universities are showing how to graduate more students at lower cost.more

How the world’s most improved school systems keep getting better

November 2010–How does a school system with poor performance become good? And how does one with good performance become excellent?

• Read more on the McKinsey on Society Web site

Attracting and retaining top talent in US teaching

September 2010—Only 23 percent of entering teachers come from the top third of their graduating class. What would it take to do better?more

The power of storytelling: What nonprofits can teach the private sector about social media

February 2011—Learn how to harness the power of social media in this case study excerpted from The Dragonfly Effect, by Jennifer Aaker and Andy Smith. Then hear more from the authors in a conversation with McKinsey’s Dan Singer.more

• includes:
  •  

Saving mothers’ lives in Namibia

June 2010—Namibia’s ongoing efforts offer lessons for other countries seeking to improve maternal health, as well as for health programs tackling HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, or other conditions.more

• includes:
  •  

When your calendar is a moral document: A conversation with Reverend Jim Wallis

January 2010—The CEO of the social-justice organization Sojourners discusses the imperative for rethinking values in the wake of the economic downturn.more

• includes:
  •  

Developing entrepreneurship among the world’s poorest

March 2009—Acumen Fund founder and CEO Jacqueline Novogratz shares stories of social-sector entrepreneurship in an excerpt from her new book, The Blue Sweater. A video interview with the author takes you behind the book.more

• includes:
  •  
  •  

Making the most of corporate social responsibility

December 2009—For companies that see CSR as an opportunity to strengthen the business, the big challenge is execution. Smart partnering can provide a practical way forward.more