Podcast · Business

Inside the Strategy Room

by McKinsey & Company · English · Business

We talk with McKinsey partners and corporate executives on the challenges they face creating lasting strategies in a fast-changing world. We also examine the different ways these executives approach these challenges and the new and innovative ways they think of creating a vision for their…

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 50 min
Latest: 2 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026 · 51 min

324. How strategy creates value: The four foundations that drive long-term performance

Episode description Executives have more data, more frameworks, and more advice than ever, and yet their confidence in their strategies keeps falling. Andy West , Tim Koller , and Whitney Zimmerman , authors of our forthcoming book Strategy and Value: The Four Foundations That Drive Long-Term Performance , join us to discuss how winning companies leverage the four foundations that drive long-term performance and value creation Related insights Strategy and Value: The Four Foundations That Drive Long-Term Performance Strategy’s biggest blind spot: Erosion of competitive advantage How to…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

25 Sep 2026 · 48 min

323. How to drive transformations with rigor

McKinsey research finds that companies executing transformations with rigor are much more likely to meet overall organizational transformation goals. Chris Hagedorn , Preeya Mody , and Michel Morenville join us to discuss what rigor really means in the context of transformation and how to embed it throughout the process, from setting the aspiration to mobilizing to delivering impact. Related insights Rigor: What it takes to turn ambition into impact The power of rigor in transformation (podcast episode) Wave by McKinsey McKinsey Insights on Transformation How to gain and sustain a…
18 Sep 2026 · 47 min

322. Capturing value in real estate’s new terrain

Real estate is moving from stabilization to selective acceleration, with value creation becoming more targeted, operational, and execution-led. As capital concentrates in select sectors and strategies, leaders need sharper asset selection, disciplined capital structures, and stronger AI-enabled capabilities. Ben Dimson , Tripp Norton , and Aditya Sanghvi discuss how General Partners, Limited Partners, and real estate operators can turn market complexity into an advantage, drawing on research from their recent article . Related insights Real estate builds on new terrain Real estate’s…
11 Sep 2026 · 44 min

321. M&A integration: PE’s new value creation playbook

Private equity is navigating one of its most challenging value creation environments in years, and winning firms are using M&A integration as a competitive weapon. Brian Dinneen and Matthew Maloney join us to discuss three high-impact integration strategies that leading sponsors are using to overcome these headwinds, based on their recent article . Related insights How private equity is using M&A integrations to overcome headwinds Unlocking full potential: Five practices reshaping PE value creation 2026 Global Private Markets Report : Private equity−clearer view, tougher terrain…
4 Sep 2026 · 45 min

320. The digital twin: Reimagining non-financial risk management

The risk function’s fundamental purpose has not changed in light of AI. What has changed is the nature and pace of risks amplified by AI, as well as the tools available to manage them. Anke Raufuss , Björn Nilsson , and Laura Webanck join us to discuss the role of the digital twin and how it is changing the future of risk management. Related Insights Evolving model risk management in the age of AI How companies can strengthen their geopolitical risk readiness Global risk productivity survey: Four themes shaping risk management The future of risk: How global trends are reshaping…
28 Aug 2026 · 32 min

319. Why strategy needs mobilization, especially in this moment

As strategy rises to the top of executive agendas, many organizations are struggling to translate bold strategic choices into sustained performance. In this episode, the global coleaders of our Strategy and Corporate Finance Practice, Sébastien Lacroix and Andy West , along with Whitney Zimmerman , a distinguished expert in strategy, discuss why mobilization has become the critical differentiator between strategy success and failure, and how leaders can build the capabilities needed to turn strategy into action in an era of intensified competition, ever-accelerating change, and…
25 Aug 2026 · 18 min

318. Inside the 2026 CFO Forum: How finance leaders are preparing for what's next (bonus episode)

In this bonus episode, McKinsey CFO practice leaders Kevin Carmody , Matt Maloney , and Christian Grube share their insights from the 2026 CFO Forum in London. Their conversation explores how the CFO role is evolving from financial steward to strategic value creator; why leading finance organizations are moving beyond incremental budgeting; how AI can provide the catalyst to fundamentally rewire finance operating models rather than simply automate existing processes; and why talent and capability building will determine which organizations capture the greatest value. They also discuss how…
21 Aug 2026 · 51 min

317. Strategic re-underwriting in private equity

Private equity firms are under increasing pressure to create value in a tougher market, with longer hold times and evolving value creation theses. Leading funds are using re-underwriting as a repeatable discipline that supports better decisions across the hold period. Join AD Bhatia, Jason Phillips, Hassen Ahmed and Manuel Fernandez Angulo as they unpack the what, when and who of re-underwriting. They share how AI assistance, leaner teams and a systematic approach can help overcome resourcing restraints to place this practice in the reach of every fund. Related insights Unlocking full…
14 Aug 2026 · 55 min

316. Your budget is killing your strategy: 4 imperatives for CFOs

The traditional annual budget process is broken. It is rigid, backward-looking, and not operationally fit to keep up with today's fast-moving markets. Top-performing companies are outpacing peers by budgeting differently. Matthew Maloney , Karen McLoughlin, and Michele Tam join us to discuss their recent article on how top-performing companies are transforming the budget from a control mechanism to a dynamic road map for driving growth. They share how leading CFOs are more closely linking the budget to strategic priorities, and how harnessing AI enables a data-driven, forward-looking…
7 Aug 2026 · 50 min

315. The $106 trillion infrastructure opportunity: Private market outlook

Infrastructure is at a pivotal inflection point: its definition is expanding beyond traditional assets to digital and interconnected systems, demanding a fundamental mindset shift by governments, investors, and operators to plan, fund, and maintain integrated infrastructure that supports future growth and resilience. Alastair Green and Adrian Kwok discuss the latest findings from our 2026 Global Private Markets Report, take stock of the sector's latest trends, and reveal how private capital is responding to an evolving funding landscape Related insights 2026 Global Private Markets Report The…
30 Jul 2026 · 48 min

314. How to maximize competitive advantage

Competitive advantage is becoming much more fluid as market positions shift faster across industries, with advantages eroding and differentiation narrowing. Despite this increased volatility, companies often fail to actively monitor shifts in their competitive edge. Join Matt Banholzer and Laura LaBerge as they discuss their latest research on the erosion of competitive advantage and share what companies can do to maximize their edge over peers. Related Insights Strategy’s biggest blind spot: Erosion of competitive advantage How top economic performers lean into their competitive…
24 Jul 2026 · 48 min

313. Driving value with an investor mindset

Long-term value creation is foundational to building strong companies and economies, yet many leaders struggle to ensure that well-conceived, well-executed strategies receive full recognition from investors. Senior Partner Ryan Davies and Associate Partner Jacob Marcus join us to discuss how to anticipate investor reactions, assess opportunities to outperform expectations, and embed an investor mindset into decision-making to build greater resilience. Related Insights Global Private Markets Report 2026 Private equity 2026 outlook: Clearer view, tougher terrain Unlocking full potential: Five…
15 Jul 2026 · 48 min

312. Improving private equity exit prospects

In today’s tougher exit environment, private equity firms are facing longer holding periods, valuation gaps, and increased pressure to return capital. Kai Vollhardt and Jelena Bauer are joined by Christian Habrich and Frederyk Schroeder as they unpack their latest article on how to drive successful exits. They share strategies that top-performing firms use to improve exit outcomes and turn preparation into premium valuations, including how to translate AI potential into a credible value story. Related Insights Beating the odds: How private equity firms can improve exit prospects Global…
10 Jul 2026 · 1 hr

311. Proven growth strategies from market leaders

Discover how market leaders—Walmart, Builders FirstSource, Progressive, and JPMorgan Chase—achieved exceptional growth from 2019 to 2024, outperforming peers by an average of five percentage points in revenue and seven points in profitability. In this episode, Simon Jones , David Schiff , and Kate Siegel discuss their new article on the three critical characteristics that drive sustained profitable business growth: committed investment strategies, diversified growth engines, and systematic technology integration. Related Insights Inspired for business growth: How five companies…
2 Jul 2026 · 51 min

310. The CEO's role in transformation

Transformations often falter due to internal dynamics that divide organizations, such as misaligned incentives, siloed efforts, and risk aversion. CEOs are uniquely positioned to address these challenges by tackling the root causes of collective-action problems and uniting their organizations around bold aspirations. Join Meagan Hill, Mathew Lee, and Kurt Strovink as they explore the role of the CEO in driving enterprise-wide transformation and embedding lasting change into the fabric of their organizations. Related Insights Collective action, collective success: A CEO’s role in…
25 Jun 2026 · 54 min

309. Five key moves to create value in spinoffs

More than 55 percent of large spin-offs fail to deliver the expected value three years post-spin; this is true for both the parent and the new company. However, even in today’s complex macro environment, there is plenty of spin activity as companies look outside the portfolio in pursuit of more focused strategies, fit-for-purpose operating models, and optimized capital management. Join us as Jamie Koenig and Anna Mattson , co-leaders of our Global Separations Practice, discuss their recent article on the topic and step through five critical moves that help increase the odds of spin-off…
17 Jun 2026 · 50 min

308. From the C-Suite to the boardroom: Christiana Smith Shi on what it takes

Today’s board members face growing demands on their time. A challenging macro environment and ever-evolving business risks are increasing meeting frequency and requiring faster decision-making. For executives considering a board role, the developmental opportunity may be clear — but what does the role really involve? In this episode, McKinsey senior partner emeritus and board director, Celia Huber speaks with Christiana Smith Shi. Christiana is the former President of Nike’s direct-to-consumer division and a seasoned board member with over 14 years of service, including on…
11 Jun 2026 · 55 min

307. Making buy-side carve-outs work for everyone

Buy-side carve-outs can create significant value for acquiring companies, but they can also present complex challenges. In this episode, we’re joined by Kameron Kordestani , Anna Mattson , and Rui Silva to discuss how leaders—particularly CFOs, integration managers, and CHROs—must balance financial structuring, operational planning, and people management to ensure a value-creating transition. Related insights How buyers can successfully navigate integrating a carve-out The power of goodbye: How carve-outs can unleash value Solving the carve-out conundrum Support the show:…
3 Jun 2026 · 55 min

306. Transforming value creation in private equity portfolio companies

Outperformance in private equity is no longer defined by leverage or multiple expansion; disciplined value creation will be the decisive factor in future investment success. In this episode, AD Bhatia , Robin Ligon , and Jason Phillips are joined by CVC’s John Kelleher to discuss the key shifts in today’s PE environment and share five moves firms are making in response. The path to transforming value creation requires a more disciplined playbook: structured re-diligence, holistic transformation under a dedicated transformation leadership, stronger operating-team talent, and the…
28 May 2026 · 39 min

305. Prudential’s Charles Lowrey on finishing strong as CEO

For CEOs, the first 100 days often get the most attention. But the final chapter of a CEO’s tenure can be just as consequential. In this episode, senior partner Carolyn Dewar speaks with Charles Lowrey, former executive chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, about what it takes to finish strong and manage a successful leadership transition. Lowrey reflects on his unexpected path to the CEO role, the lessons he learned while leading through the pandemic, and why he began discussing succession with the board before officially taking the job. He explains how Prudential developed…
22 May 2026 · 54 min

304. The coming wave of business transfers

As millions of baby boomer business owners in the United States approach retirement, the country faces a major transition in business ownership. Over the next decade, millions of small and midsize businesses could be sold, transferred, or closed, with major implications for local economies, jobs, family wealth, and economic mobility. In this episode, we hear from partner Ken Yearwood and associate partner Nick Noel about the wave of business transfers on the horizon, the scale of the opportunity, and the risks of avoidable closures. They discuss what this transition could mean for buyers,…
14 May 2026 · 51 min

303. How finance leaders are driving value with AI

In this episode, we explore how finance leaders can harness AI to drive performance and create value for the organization. Our guests— Kevin Carmody , Davide Grande , and Andrea Tricoli —share insights from their research, highlighting how AI is reshaping finance functions across strategic planning, cost management, risk mitigation, and investor relations. Join us as we delve into real-world examples of AI in action and consider the evolving role of the CFO as a strategic partner in the C-Suite. Related insights How finance teams are putting AI to work today Gen AI: A guide for…
8 May 2026 · 53 min

302. What every CEO can learn from private equity

Private equity firms have long outperformed their peers—not just through financial engineering, but by building better businesses faster. In this episode, senior partner Sacha Ghai and partner Marla Capozzi discuss what leaders across sectors can learn from the highest-performing private equity CEOs. Drawing on their recent Harvard Business Review article , Sacha and Marla unpack the concept of CEO alpha: the value created when CEOs outperform as individual leaders, team builders, and operators. They explain why private equity’s edge has shifted from financial engineering to…
30 Apr 2026 · 49 min

301. Using generative AI to conduct outside-in diligence

Generative AI is reshaping the way investors evaluate opportunities and replacing much of the manual work involved in completing an outside-in diligence. Firms that adapt the fastest during this transition have the most to gain. To discuss how the deployment of gen AI in diligence can give organizations an investment edge and explore the shift from traditional diligence to AI-enabled, outside-in analysis we’re joined by David Pralong , a senior partner and the global leader of our Transformation Practice, William Bundy, a partner in our Washington D.C office, Chase Covington , a…
23 Apr 2026 · 54 min

300. The CEO’s agenda for thriving in the agentic age

Generative and agentic AI are moving rapidly from experimentation to enterprise-wide transformation—but many CEOs are still grappling with what this really means for their business. In this episode, McKinsey experts Tanguy Catlin , Sandra Durth , Lari Hämäläinen , and Antoine Montard examine why AI is being viewed as a true general-purpose technology, on par with past breakthroughs like electricity and the internet, and what that implies for competition, investment, and long-term value creation. We discuss the importance of thinking across strategy, technology, and…
16 Apr 2026 · 54 min

299. The new CEO’s guide to stakeholder impact

For new CEOs, engaging stakeholders is one of the most important—and most challenging—parts of the job. In this episode, Carolyn Dewar , Blair Epstein , and Eric Sherman discuss how CEOs can build a strong stakeholder strategy from day one. Drawing on research and their work with leaders across industries, they explore why stakeholder engagement matters so much, the unique challenges new CEOs face, and how leaders can best balance competing priorities across investors, employees, customers, regulators, and communities. They also discuss practical ways to create a clear narrative,…
10 Apr 2026 · 56 min

298. The CEO as a resilience leader

Building resilience is a critical skill for organizations today, yet our research shows that many leaders and organizations don’t spend enough time building their resilience to navigate current and emerging risks. In this episode, two authors of a recent article on the topic discuss how organizations can better prepare for what they face today and in the future. Ida Kristensen is a senior partner in our New York office and the global co-leader of our Risk and Resilience Practice. She advises clients across sectors on risk, strategy, and operational topics spanning enterprise risk…
2 Apr 2026 · 46 min

297. Boards in the age of AI

As artificial intelligence transforms how companies compete, many boards are grappling with how to provide effective oversight in this new era. Senior partners Aamer Baig , Celia Huber , and senior advisor Rebecca Schechter join host Sean Brown Inside the Strategy Room to discuss their recent article on how directors can rethink their guidance on AI adoption and readiness, while navigating risks that cut across strategy, talent, and governance. The AI reckoning: How boards can evolve Rewired: How leading companies win with technology and AI McKinsey Insights on Strategy & Corporate Finance…
25 Mar 2026 · 48 min

296. The power of rigor in transformation

Companies that execute transformations with rigor are much more likely to achieve their goals, generate higher total shareholder returns, and enjoy better organizational health. In this episode, Preeya Mody and Dominic Skerritt join host Sean Brown to share insights from their latest research on the role of rigor in driving and sustaining successful transformations. They discuss what defines rigor in a transformation, explore the three elements that rigorous transformations consistently demonstrate, and share practical advice for sustaining momentum without burning out teams. Related…
19 Mar 2026 · 35 min

295. AI, strategy, and the future of work: What business leaders need to know

While artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from experimentation to execution, many companies still struggle to capture real value from the technology. In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Jean-Paul Carvalho and Robin Nuttall to explore how CEOs can more effectively scale AI and to discuss the technology's implications for the future of work and organizations. Jean-Paul is Professor of Political Economy at the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics and Director of Oxford Elevate . Robin Nuttall is an expert partner in our London office and a leader of our…

About Inside the Strategy Room

Inside the Strategy Room is a English business podcast from McKinsey & Company. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: McKinsey & Company
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 50 min
Latest episode: 2 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1422814215
Website: mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights
Rights: 2026 McKinsey & Company

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