The truth about transformation

Most organization-wide transformations fail. In this special collection, we help executives overcome the odds by bringing together fact-based insights about the roles of strategy, innovation, technology, and organization in creating successful transformations.

Getting to ‘all in’: The six questions every executive team should ask

Transformation is about improving performance, not just cutting costs. Companies boost the odds of achieving breakthrough results when they simultaneously improve their operating discipline and make portfolio moves that collectively redefine their business.
The truth about transformation
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

Why your next transformation should be ‘all in’
– Improve the odds of a successful business transformation by going “all in” to kick-start performance and remake your portfolio.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

The numbers behind successful transformations
– Crunching the numbers on transformations suggests good news for companies that go broad, move fast and renew often, prioritize... health, and keep stretching their aspirations.

Innovation’s transformative role

Innovation is a critical contributor to the top line. The best innovators galvanize their people through smart goal setting, make tough choices that minimize the risk of scattershot resource allocation, and learn quickly from failure.
Companies that master five of the eight innovation essentials enjoy a substantial uplift in economic-profit performance
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

The innovation commitment
– To catalyze breakthrough growth, leaders must set bold aspirations, make tough choices, and mobilize resources at scale.
Interview - McKinsey Quarterly

Speak softly, make tough decisions: An interview with Alibaba Group chairman and CEO Daniel Zhang
– The chairman and CEO of China’s e-commerce giant describes Alibaba’s approach to innovation and how he balances analytics... and instinct to push himself to spot hidden opportunities.
Podcast

Creating high-performance innovation teams at scale
– For innovation initiatives to succeed, they must be staffed with the right combination of talent.

Advancing advanced technologies

Most digital transformations don’t yield the benefits that leaders expect. By adhering to the right practices, and making sure workers are sufficiently trained to exploit the potential of digital technologies, companies can better realize their digital-transformation goals.
Companies that achieve better scale and value from analytics are four times more likely to spend more to embed analytics
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

Digital transformation: Improving the odds of success
– Most digital transformations don’t yield the benefits that leaders expect. New research shows that five practices maximize... the chance of extraordinary outcomes.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

The analytics academy: Bridging the gap between human and artificial intelligence
– As organizations rebuild their foundations to compete in the era of data and advanced analytics, in-house capability-building... programs offer the best way to train workers up to the task.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

The cornerstones of large-scale technology transformation
– A clear playbook is emerging for how to integrate and capitalize on advanced technologies—across an entire company, and... in any industry.

Shifting the organization

Transforming performance often means rethinking the organization. New models are emerging, agile approaches are advancing, and organizational health continues contributing to better results.
The helix organization balances flexibility and stability.
Interview - McKinsey Quarterly

How the British Army’s operations went agile
– Military commanders have had to change the way they operate in the field. Corporate executives should take note.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

The helix organization
– Separating people-leadership tasks from day-to-day business leadership can help organizations strike a better balance between... centralization and decentralization, reduce complexity, and embrace agility.
Article - McKinsey Quarterly

Getting personal about change
– The need to shift mind-sets is the biggest block to successful transformations. The key lies in making the shift both individual... and institutional—at the same time.