Thriving through volatility

Latest perspectives on resilience in Asia

Business in Asia has proven resilient during challenging economic times. In the face of COVID-19, Asian companies reinvented the way they operate more quickly and thoroughly than some had thought possible. Now, as businesses emerge post-pandemic, how can leaders position themselves for success in an era that is being shaped by the twin forces of digital and climate change—while generating growth that is both sustainable and inclusive?

In our new collection, Thriving through volatility, we bring you the latest insights on how business leaders can navigate these disruptions. We hear from global experts on what it takes to not only navigate global headwinds, but also thrive in an increasingly volatile landscape.

Featured Insights

Article

How Asian business leaders can prepare for a volatile future

– During the pandemic, many Asian companies reinvented the way they operated. Those who embrace this moment to strengthen their resilience could position their companies to succeed.
Article

Green Growth: Capturing Asia’s $5 trillion green business opportunity

– Asia is a critical contributor to the global race to net zero. Proactive moves in pursuit of this goal could result in opportunities that will define tomorrow’s outcomes and successful business leaders.

Hear from our experts

Video

What is the imperative for resilience in Asia?

– Bob Sternfels, McKinsey’s Global Managing Partner, elaborates on the imperative for resilience in Asia and why it’ll be key for companies to thrive in this era of volatility.
Video

Building resilience in the face of rising inflation

– Few chief executives have faced the challenge of leading a company through an inflationary spike like today’s. How can CEOs guide their management teams, employees, boards, and a wide range of external stakeholders through this period? Partner Mahima Chugh outlines the five levers companies can take to stay resilient amid volatility.
Video

How CEOs can thrive in volatility

– The current combination of shocks has created perhaps the most challenging environment management teams have ever faced—and one that likely won’t change anytime soon. Entering an age of volatility, what can CEOs do to thrive? Senior Partner Richard Lee talks about why it’s important to play offense and defense at the same time.
Video

New business building: A new priority for CEOs

– Business leaders predict that by 2026, half of their revenues will come from products, services, or businesses that haven’t yet been created. Why is new business building emerging as a top priority for CEOs and companies? Partner Vivek Lath explains how new business building can help bridge that gap through sustainable, inclusive growth.

Leading through disruption

Article

How Asian business leaders can prepare for a volatile future

– During the pandemic, many Asian companies reinvented the way they operated. Those who embrace this moment to strengthen their resilience could position their companies to succeed.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

Strategic courage in an age of volatility

– Today’s challenging environment requires business leaders to hone their edge in three critical areas: insights, commitment, and execution.
Collection

Leading Asia: An interview series with the region’s top business leaders

In our new video series, we ask some of the most influential voices in the region how they are navigating this increasingly complex landscape.
Podcast

Redefining the modern CEO

– COVID-19 and other recent global crises have necessitated a redefinition of the role of 21st century leaders. In this McKinsey Future of Asia Podcast episode, we explore what it takes to be an excellent CEO in today’s ever-changing and challenging global environment.
Video

Building 21st century companies in Asia

– Gautam Kumra, Chairman of McKinsey’s offices in Asia, discusses the rapid changes in Asia’s corporate landscape, and how the role and priorities of CEOs may need to evolve in a post-pandemic world.
Article

How Australian companies can reinvent themselves in 2021

– To prosper in this new era of opportunity, Australian companies need to reinvent themselves. This article lays out a detailed path forward.
Video

Reimagining leadership in Asia’s next normal

– Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke with Oliver Tonby, Chairman of McKinsey Asia, about the changing role of leaders.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

Emerging stronger, fitter, faster: The rise of the Asian corporation

– Leading CEOs in Asia explain how COVID-19 has accelerated five business trends in the region and why they’re confident that unprecedented opportunities lie ahead.

Sustainable and inclusive growth

Executive Briefing

Sustainable and inclusive growth: A weekly briefing

– Innovative new designs could accelerate the construction of nuclear power plants. Our weekly digest of McKinsey insights explores that topic and more.
Article

Accelerating gender equality through healthcare

– As part of this year’s G20 summit, McKinsey partner Phillia Wibowo addressed the W20 working group’s plenary session in Indonesia.
Article

Employee mental health and burnout in Asia: A time to act

– By identifying factors affecting workplace mental health, leaders in Asia can take action to create happier, more inclusive, and increasingly productive organizations.
Video

Sustainable and inclusive growth: A new paradigm for Asia

– Can growth be sustainable and inclusive? Leaders share their perspectives on how Asian businesses can make this a reality.
Article

Building 21st century companies in Asia

– Asia’s corporate landscape is changing rapidly and the role and priorities of CEOs may need to evolve.
Article

Out of the shadows: Sustainably improving workplace mental health

– The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated preexisting workplace mental health challenges, creating a new imperative for leaders to take a holistic and methodical approach to workplace mental health.
Podcast

Can ASEAN maintain its growth trajectory in a post-COVID-19 world?

– ASEAN has always been on an upward-growth trajectory, but how has COVID-19 affected the region?
Article

Reimagining emerging ASEAN in the wake of COVID-19

– A focus on five key levers could both accelerate the region’s recovery and make the gains more enduring.
Podcast

Parity in a pandemic: An Asia perspective

– Inclusion and diversity is critical for business recovery, resilience, and reimagination—and businesses need it more than ever in a postpandemic world.
Article

Could the next normal emerge from Asia?

– The coronavirus pandemic is reshaping the global economy. Asia, the first part of the world affected by the crisis, has come through crises before and emerged stronger from them. We have reason to believe it can do so again. In a post pandemic world, can Asia’s nations and companies play a major role in defining the next normal?
Video

How organizations can advance gender parity in post-pandemic Asia

– Oliver Tonby, chairman in McKinsey’s Asia offices and co-author of Future of Asia, outlines the five key areas organizations should focus on to advance gender parity in the region.
Report - McKinsey Global Institute

The power of parity: Advancing women’s equality in Asia Pacific

– Advancing women’s equality in the countries of Asia Pacific could add $4.5 trillion to their collective annual GDP in 2025, a 12 percent increase over the business-as-usual trajectory.

Navigating the net-zero transition

Article

How carbon markets can help Malaysia achieve its climate targets

– Malaysia has the opportunity to not just meet its climate targets but also support the world through additional sequestration. Acting now to scale carbon markets could help.
Article

Capturing growth in Asia’s emerging EV ecosystem

– Asia’s electric-vehicle market is poised for growth. Those who approach the challenges and opportunities with an ecosystem view can create significant value for their business—and the global climate.
Article

Seizing green business growth for Asia’s energy players

– Globally, sustainable energy and low-carbon solutions top national and corporate agendas. For regional energy players, the time to commit to new, planet-friendly ventures is now.
Video

Decarbonizing Asia’s supply chains

– The need to address the looming climate crisis seems to be grasped more broadly than ever before. How then, can corporates make tangible steps forward? Vivid Economics Directors, Thomas Kansy and Robin Smale, discuss the climate challenges Asia faces, and what companies can do to tackle them.
Podcast

The path to net zero: Investing in carbon markets

– As the drive to curb global warming gathers pace, carbon markets have become increasingly fundamental to achieving net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions.
Article - McKinsey Global Institute

Will India get too hot to work?

– Extreme heat and humidity could put millions of lives and billions of dollars at risk across India. What will it take to reduce the risk?
Report - McKinsey Global Institute

Climate risk and response in Asia

– In many ways, Asia is on the frontline of a changing climate. We analyze the extent of climate risk facing the region and effective responses for adaptation and mitigation.
Collection

Shapers of Sustainability

An interview series with Asia’s top sustainability leaders.

The future of the workplace

Podcast

How Asia can prepare for the future of work after COVID-19

– Which trends accelerated and sparked by COVID-19 will change the future of work in Asia? How can businesses and policy makers respond?
Report - McKinsey Global Institute

The future of work after COVID-19

– The pandemic accelerated existing trends in remote work, e-commerce, and automation, with up to 25 percent more workers than previously estimated potentially needing to switch occupations.
Podcast

Building agile organizations for the next normal

– Agile companies have managed the impact of the COVID-19 crisis better than their peers.
Article

The future of work in Japan: Accelerating automation after COVID-19

– Digitization has played a key role in reducing the spread of the virus and promoting a safe recovery. Now, it’s even more critical to the country’s longer-term economic health.