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Inside the Strategy Room

Inside the Strategy Room

McKinsey & Company 305 Episodes Sep 18, 2026

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 enterprises.

Episodes

322. Capturing value in real estate’s new terrain
322. Capturing value in real estate’s new terrain Sep 18, 2026 2833 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 Pa
321. M&A integration: PE’s new value creation playbook
321. M&A integration: PE’s new value creation playbook Sep 11, 2026 2638 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
320. The digital twin:  Reimagining non-financial risk management
320. The digital twin: Reimagining non-financial risk management Sep 4, 2026 2689 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 managem
319. Why strategy needs mobilization, especially in this moment
319. Why strategy needs mobilization, especially in this moment Aug 28, 2026 1907 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 differenti
318. Inside the 2026 CFO Forum: How finance leaders are preparing for what's next (bonus episode)
318. Inside the 2026 CFO Forum: How finance leaders are preparing for what's next (bonus episode) Aug 25, 2026 1058 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 fin
317. Strategic re-underwriting in private equity
317. Strategic re-underwriting in private equity Aug 21, 2026 3060 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-underwrit
316. Your budget is killing your strategy: 4 imperatives for CFOs
316. Your budget is killing your strategy: 4 imperatives for CFOs Aug 14, 2026 3304 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
315. The $106 trillion infrastructure opportunity: Private market outlook
315. The $106 trillion infrastructure opportunity: Private market outlook Aug 7, 2026 3018 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 Glo
314. How to maximize competitive advantage
314. How to maximize competitive advantage Jul 30, 2026 2892 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 an
313. Driving value with an investor mindset
313. Driving value with an investor mindset Jul 24, 2026 2851 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 i
312. Improving private equity exit prospects
312. Improving private equity exit prospects Jul 15, 2026 2879 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 outc
311. Proven growth strategies from market leaders
311. Proven growth strategies from market leaders Jul 10, 2026 3627 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 driv

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