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 uncertainty.

Related insights

Strategy and Value: The Four Foundations That Drive Long-Term Performance (our new book, due out in November)

How to maximize competitive advantage

How to ensure your company acts on your strategy

How strategy champions win

Strategy Beyond the Hockey Stick

Fundamentals of strategy and value creation

Have you tested your strategy lately?

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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 CFOs can reclaim the strategic narrative, strengthen capital allocation, and create the headspace to focus on the bold moves that drive long-term growth.

Related insights

Why accelerated resource allocation matters in the age of AI

CFOs have been concerned about geopolitical impacts for months

The CFO as growth leader: A conversation with Levi’s Harmit Singh

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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 potential: Five practices reshaping PE value creation

2026 Global Private Markets Report: Private equity−clearer view, tougher terrain

Beating the odds: How private equity firms can improve exit prospects

How private equity is using M&A integrations to overcome headwinds

Transforming value creation in private equity portfolio companies (podcast)

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