Companies worldwide are eager to adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies to boost both productivity and sustainability. However, the path to achieving this is fraught with challenges, from outdated legacy systems to the critical need for workforce upskilling. And in some cases, needing to overcome an image problem that makes it hard to recruit and retain the talent required to fill vacant production roles.

In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Christian Johnson is joined by Enno de Boer, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, Kiva Allgood, Head of the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains at the World Economic Forum, and Jackie Jung, Vice President of Global Operations Strategy and Corporate Sustainability at Western Digital. In this lively discussion they examine how the Global Lighthouse Network is helping companies overcome these barriers and the exceptional results they are enjoying, the evolution of the network, and the secret to driving long-term success with 4IR technologies.

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Enterprises are looking to Global Capability Centers (GCCs) as critical innovation hubs to stay ahead in the competitive landscape, but the difficulty lies in aligning strategic priorities with the capabilities of GCCs to maximize their impact. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by McKinsey partners Abhilash Sridharan and Malcolm Gomes, Debasis Panda of TransUnion, and Pravin Goel of BlackRock India, to discuss how GCCs are evolving to become central to enterprise innovation and strategic success. How can enterprises ensure that their GCCs build the talent they need and capture the value of new technologies?

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, recorded at McKinsey’s recent CFO forum in partnership with Inside the Strategy Room, host Daphne Luchtenberg talks to Matt Jochim and Martin Rosendahl, partners in McKinsey's London office, along with Samdruk Thomas, an associate partner based in Zurich. Together, they delve into the challenges and opportunities faced by Sales, General & Administrative (SG&A) functions in today's fast-moving economy.

Discover how courageous leadership by CFOs can balance short-term cost pressures with long-term innovation, leveraging digital technologies such as generative AI. Together, they discuss how to explore a clear strategic roadmap for successful transformation and invaluable tips on integrating digital effectively into SG&A functions. Subscribe now to McKinsey Talks Operations and stay ahead in the world of operational excellence.

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Join host Daphne Luchtenberg in a robust discussion with industry leaders Chris Smith and Richard Cawston, along with McKinsey senior expert Alan Davies, as they delve into the intricacies of the labor environment and share best practices for establishing thriving warehousing operations. Explore the challenges faced by the industry, from labor disruptions to changing demand profiles, and draw from valuable insights on how McLane & Company and GXO Logistics have adapted and excelled in a rapidly evolving landscape.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Join Radu Palamariu and Knut Alicke on McKinsey Talks Operations as they share anecdotes from the writing of their new book. In this episode, the authors of From Source to Sold: Stories of Leadership in Supply Chain, talk about the idea that sparked the book, and the advice every supply chain professional can follow to accelerate their career growth. Don’t miss this engaging discussion hosted by Daphne Luchtenberg.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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What is operational excellence? And how can a renewed focus on this approach contribute to success in today’s business landscape? This episode of McKinsey Talks Operations explores the concept of operational excellence and its significance in organizations that use this approach of augmenting production and process systems. Our experts share insights on how companies can successfully adopt technology and nurture a sense of purpose among employees. We also delve into the benefits of operational excellence and how it looks in different settings like financial institutions and manufacturing industries.

Join the conversation with Ted Iverson, a Senior Expert from our Seattle office; Ferran Pujol, a Partner in our Santiago office; and Joris Wijpkema, a Partner in our Chicago office; along with host Christian Johnson.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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We’re exploring the concept of ‘skinny design’ and its potential benefits for consumers, retailers, and the environment. Join our McKinsey experts as they delve into the cost savings, sustainability, and commercial advantages of reducing the size of product packaging, and discuss innovative solutions such as nesting products and honeycomb packing formats to reduce stock outs and improve sustainability and customer experience. Additionally, we highlight the importance of cross-functional collaboration in product design and the need for stakeholders to align incentives for optimized product development programs. Tune in to learn how considering the whole supply chain can impact sustainability, growth, and cost.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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It’s been a year since the McKinsey Talks Operations podcast launched, and during that time there’s been plenty to talk about. Join hosts Daphne Luchtenberg and Christian Johnson as they take a look back at some of the year’s highlights. Discussions about inflation, building operational resilience, managing supply chains, decarbonizing operations, and the role of digital twins have all featured highly against a complex and volatile backdrop. Listen in to what McKinsey experts and guests have had to say about solving some of the biggest operations challenges.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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What do customers really want from their contact centers? A number of myths about areas including speed of answer and channel preference are shaping contact center and service strategy, leading to dissatisfied consumers and employees. This episode of McKinsey Talks Operations blows apart customer service myths, and suggests how data and analytics can be used to shape future strategy. 

Join the conversation with Julian Raabe, a partner in our Munich office; and Vinay Gupta, a Senior Knowledge Expert from Walton; along with host Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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As economies move towards more sustainable transport options, more electric vehicles are rolling off production lines than ever before. These vehicles need to be powered by lithium batteries, built in specialist facilities called gigafactories. With more than 30 planned in Europe alone, companies are working fast to develop the construction and operating playbook for these highly technical sites.

Join the conversation with Stefano Piscitelli, Vice President of Group Construction at Northvolt, Evan Horetsky, a partner in our Stockholm office, and Mark Bakker, an Expert Associate Partner in our office in Amsterdam, and hosted by Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications. They are looking at how demand for batteries has changed, the opportunities to use digital twins in the planning, construction, and operation of gigafactories, and the role of a new approach to construction to ensure that both the factories and their products are sustainable.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Members of the Global Lighthouse Network have become a source of inspiration. With more than 100 sites worldwide, they are beacons of light showing the potential of digital transformation to positively impact people and the planet.  This episode of McKinsey Talks Operations explores the growth of the Network from the first 16 sites to a community of the world’s leading production networks, and the examines benefits for companies that join with better workforce engagement, improved environmental sustainability outcomes, and increased productivity. The second chapter of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has begun, and the time is now to scale the adoption of tech-enabled operations.

Join the conversation with Francisco Betti, Head of Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains at the World Economic Forum; and Enno De Boer, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Co, along with host Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications. 

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Infrastructure and capital projects such as roads, bridges, buildings, and utilities are being affected by climate change in new ways. As leaders seek to invest in projects with long lifespans and pursue net zero targets that are decades away, long-term planning has become fraught with uncertainty. From electricity outages to flood-damaged roads, extreme weather is already impacting our built environment in a real and immediate way. It will be imperative to understand and mitigate these climate risks in order to manage costs and ensure critical continuity.

In this episode, McKinsey Global Infrastructure Initiative (GII) senior leaders share their ideas and solutions on critical infrastructure issues. Join the conversation with Alex Guy, a partner at the international law firm Ashurst and Brodie Boland, a partner at McKinsey & Company, along with host Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg talks with McKinsey’s Julian Salguero who shares insights on the importance of talent management, particularly in the face of labor market shortfalls and the evolving needs of different generations in today’s workforce. The episode also features Lindsay DeVagno, VP of Human Resources at Keurig Dr Pepper, speaking with McKinsey consultant, Tyler Freeman, about her experiences and strategies in managing workforce challenges. The discussion explores the impact of technology on operations, the importance of leadership and development opportunities in retaining talent, and innovative approaches to flexibility and career advancement within the manufacturing sector.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Having previously discussed the fundamentals of digital twins and the opportunities they offer, we’re expanding our exploration of digital twins with an examination of a look at how digital is helping transform application in product development. Join McKinsey partner Kimberly Borden and senior adviser Dr. Will Roper in a conversation about the value of digital technologies twins in production applications. Their discussion examines the use of digital approaches to design and development in Formula 1 as well as in aerospace and defense, and bringing illustrating how a software development style can have a big impact in producing to hardware.

Recorded at Farnborough International Airshow, and introduced by McKinsey’s Operations Practice managing editor Christian Johnson, this episode explores the digital imperative in design and development for products. It also considers the need for a pragmatic approach to delivery, to ensure that big ideas can reach execution.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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The term ‘digital twin’ is fast becoming a bit of a buzzword used in discussions about digital transformation, but precise definitions are harder to come by. In this episode, we take a look at what is—and isn’t— within the boundaries of digital twin, the business advantages they can bring, and the requirements to capture the potential value.

Join the conversation with Anna Herlt and Kimberly Borden; partners at Mckinsey, along with host Christian Johnson; Managing Editor in McKinsey’s Operations Practice.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Most businesses around the world are being impacted by inflation today. As they have navigated turbulence over the last two years, the decades-old model of how goods are made, sourced, and delivered has been severely disrupted. With that backdrop reactive fire-fighting has become part of the norm for procurement functions and this is set to continue. But there is a way to get ahead of turbulence and develop a resilient way of working.

Join the conversation with Craig Reed, Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer at Corteva Agriscience, Marta Mussacaleca and Roman Belotserkovskiy, Partners in McKinsey’s Operations Practice; Ezra Greenberg, global leader in McKinsey’s work on macro scenarios and trends; and host Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Most businesses around the world are being impacted by inflation today. As they have navigated turbulence over the last two years, the decades-old model of how goods are made, sourced, and delivered has been severely disrupted. With that backdrop reactive fire-fighting has become part of the norm for procurement functions and this is set to continue. But there is a way to get ahead of turbulence and develop a resilient way of working.

Join the conversation with Craig Reed, former Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer at Corteva Agriscience, Marta Mussacaleca and Roman Belotserkovskiy, Partners in McKinsey’s Operations Practice; Ezra Greenberg, global leader in McKinsey’s work on macro scenarios and trends; and host Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Following on from our discussion of voice analytics trends and technology and its potential in contact centers in our previous episode, in this episode we learn more about its implementation and how to effectively capture the available value: How can voice data analytics add value throughout your whole organization?


Join the conversation with Paul Humphrey, CEO and founder of Call Journey; Eric Buesing, a partner in McKinsey & Company and a leader in our customer care offering; and host Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications.



McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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High-quality, tailored interactions promote positive consumer experiences. And so in a digital age that can be lacking in emotional connection, human voice engagements can become a point of difference for contact centers.


In this episode, we discuss the wider trends related to voice interactions in customer care and the technologies that are available. Join the conversation with Paul Humphrey, CEO and founder of Call Journey; Eric Buesing, a partner in McKinsey & Company and a leader in our customer care offering; and host Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications.


McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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When people began working from home, many executives feared that productivity would be lost. Instead, the reverse has proved true: for many employees, it has increased, thanks in part to the accelerated pace of digitization. As companies move to the next normal, they are looking for ways to maintain those gains through new hybrid working models enabled by digital technologies. There are decisions to be made about real-estate foot-prints and arrangements, shared service centers, organizational structures, and investments in digitization.

Join the conversation with Naomi Hudson and Martin Rosendahl, Partners in McKinsey’s Operations Practice; Phil Kirschner, a Senior Expert sitting at the intersection of McKinsey's People and Organizational Performance and Real Estate Practice; and host Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Capital projects could receive around $130 trillion dollars over the next five years. Most of the investment will go to renew and decarbonize critical infrastructure. In this episode of The McKinsey Podcast, hear McKinsey senior partners Steffen Fuchs and Christoph Schmitz speak with executive editor, Roberta Fusaro about how executives and organizations will need to adapt their current spending strategies to take advantage of this unique funding moment.

After, hear senior partner Dymfke Kuijper’s rookie moment when she shares how *seeking perfection prevented her from finding it.

Theme song is composed and performed by Joy Ngiaw.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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It's increasingly clear that there is a labor mismatch across industries and sectors. There is also a marked gap in the digital talent available in key frontline sectors such as truck drivers and line operators - only 1 percent of supply chain leaders report having sufficient talent in-house to support their increased digitization, that’s down from 10 percent in 2020. The pioneers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution have learned that human capabilities are critical when organizations wish to adopt advanced digital technologies successfully. For example, Coca Cola has established a digital academy to upskill managers and frontline team leaders across their business operations to help to build supply chain resilience and improve productivity.

Join the conversation with Iain McLaughlin, VP of Commercial Product Supply, and Gigy Philip, Transformation Director, both from the Coca- Cola Company; McKinsey Partner, Roberto Migliorini, and host Daphne Luchtenberg, Director of Communications for McKinsey’s Operations Practice.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Across industries, the great clean-up is underway. Driven by tightening regulations, pressure from investors, and shifting customer preferences, companies are striving to reduce the burden of their activities on the planet. Conventional wisdom has always been that reaching for Net Zero is a holy grail, only possible through heavy investments on the one side and sacrificing margins on the other. However, environmental responsibility doesn't have to be at odds with productivity and by extension profitability.

Join the conversation with John Revess, Director of Net Zero Transformation at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development; McKinsey experts, Peter Spiller and Ruth Heuss; and host Daphne Luchtenberg, McKinsey’s Operations Practice Director of Communications.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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With the coming of age of Gen Z—both as customers and new entrants to the workforce—customer demands are changing. At the same time, the arrival of generative AI (gen AI) is changing the way contact centers can respond to those demands. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by McKinsey partners Eric Buesing and Brian Blackader to discuss the latest trends, the importance of a cohesive support strategy, and actionable steps contact center leaders can take to improve their customer care functions. Organizations must navigate the changing landscape of customer care with agility to stay ahead of the game—but is it a game they can ever win?

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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In the current geopolitical context, local manufacturing and supply chain resilience are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, organizations face an imperative to tackle environmental sustainability and climate change to strengthen operations and positively impact people and the planet. The Global Lighthouse Network – a World Economic Forum initiative in collaboration with McKinsey & Company – has inspired a playbook to answer these challenges. At Lighthouses Live, the Network’s flagship event broadcast in early April, we were delighted to convene a group of leaders to talk about how their organizations are scaling responsible growth through tech-enabled operations. They’re using them to power sustainability and workforce engagement.

Join the conversation with Katy George, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, Christine Bastian, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Western Digital; Kathy Wengel, Executive Vice President and Chief Global Supply Chain Officer at Johnson & Johnson; and Åsa Tamsons, Senior Vice President and Head Of Business Area Technologies and New Businesses at Ericsson.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Making good use of data and analytics will not be done with any single bold move but through multiple coordinated actions. Despite the recent and significant advances in MI, the full scale of the opportunity is just beginning to unfold. In this episode, we discuss why some companies do better than others, what are the key performance indicators that can help categorise a company into leaders, planners, executors, or emerging companies; and how companies can identify where to get started based on their digital journey.

Join the conversation with Vijay D’Silva, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, Bruce Lawler, Managing Director for MIT MIMO and host Daphne Luchtenberg, Director of Communications, Operations Practice, EMEA.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Read more >
   Listen to the podcast (duration: 22:45) >  In this special edition of the McKinsey Talks Operations podcast, host Daphne Luchtenberg brings you highlights from a panel discussion on the importance of building workforce capabilities and shifting mindsets for successful digital transformation. The discussion took place recently as part of Lighthouses Live, the flagship event of the Global Lighthouse Network—a World Economic Forum initiative in collaboration with McKinsey & Company.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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   Listen to the podcast (duration: 16:37) >  In the McKinsey Operations Practice’s first podcast, Sebastian Peters, senior vice president and head of logistics, planning, and digital value stream for Airbus, speaks with McKinsey’s Daphne Luchtenberg and Knut Alicke on what it really means to have a risk-averse and resilient supply chain. 

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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   Listen to the podcast (duration: 1:09) >  The new podcast from McKinsey’s Operations Practice explores cutting through the noise to transform strategy into lasting operations success

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Achieving operational excellence takes practice. But in high stakes operations, practice could prove costly—or even dangerous—if things go wrong. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by Amy Radermacher, Markus Hammer, and Professor Christian Ramsauer to explore how capability center learning programs can allow organizations to experiment in a safe environment, learn from things going wrong, and build new bonds in teams for better performance in their own working environments.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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As 2023 draws to a close, it has become increasingly apparent that there is no ‘normal’ for Operations leaders. Join hosts Christian Johnson and Daphne Luchtenberg as they take a look back at the year gone by through the lens of McKinsey Talks Operations. In this episode they revisit some highlight moments of their conversations with McKinsey experts and industry guests, covering topics from generative AI to price volatility, supply chain resilience to sustainability, and the role of operations leaders to smooth the path ahead for their organizations. And then be sure to listen to Navigating the new normal: Operations insights for 2024 as you think about the year ahead.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Generative AI is continuing to dominate C-suite conversations across sectors. Organizations are starting to understand its transformative potential across the operations value chain, but just what will it take to get started?

McKinsey’s Nicolai Muller and Marie El Hoyek, a Cologne-based senior partner and London-based associate partner, talk to McKinsey Talks Operations host Christian Johnson about the game changing potential of generative AI. From automating complex processes to unprecedented opportunities across industries, discover insights on productivity boosts, system considerations, and the vital capabilities organizations need for successful integration.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Join us in this episode of "McKinsey Talks Operations" as host Daphne Luchtenberg sits down with senior partners at McKinsey & Company, Daniel Swan and Axel Karlsson, to explore the ever-evolving global landscape impacting companies. Discover how organizations are adapting to unprecedented challenges, from inflation to sustainability, and why operations and supply chain are taking center stage in the boardroom. Gain valuable insights on optimizing operations for success in 2024, as we discuss productivity, tech enablement, and sustainability as key drivers for the future. Don't miss this enlightening conversation on shaping a new operational reality.

Statistics correct at the time of recording in August 2023.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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The manufacturing sector and associated operations have the power to drive an economy forwards. This episode of McKinsey Talks Operations looks at the critical role of production in Africa's growth and development: with Africa's population set to double by 2050, the need for sustainable job creation is paramount.

Host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by Dr. Amy Jadesimi, Managing Director of LADOL, and David Meredith and Kannan Lakmeeharan from McKinsey & Company, about how the Manufacturing Africa Initiative is providing a blueprint for the growth of the manufacturing sector. They discuss the transformative potential of manufacturing, the initiative's goals, and the impact it's already making.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Zero-basing could be said to have an image problem, with a perceived sole focus on cost-cutting. This episode of McKinsey Talks Operations dispels some of the myths about this approach and looks at how it can become a dynamic philosophy that transcends traditional cost-cutting, offering leaders newfound visibility into their operations, investments, and resources.

Join host Daphne Luchtenberg with experts Carey Mignerey, Denis Fomin, and Steve Frazier as they discuss the transformative potential of zero basing and its role in reshaping organizational growth strategies, and how start-ups and disruptor companies are leading the way by maintaining a zero-basing mentality throughout their evolution.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Organizations are striving to maintain operational excellence amidst rapid digital transformation, yet integrating advanced technologies while maintaining efficiency and employee engagement is a complex task.

In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, Juan Luis Kruger, CEO of Minsur, and McKinsey Partner Ferran Pujol join host Christian Johnson to discuss how digital tools and Lean management principles can enhance operational performance and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

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New opportunities are coming for organizations to use procurement for a competitive edge and a driver for sustainability impact through innovation and strategic partnerships. However, the complexities of global supply chains and rapidly changing market conditions can make it hard to capture the value available.

In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, Mauro Erriquez, McKinsey senior partner, and Dominique Lebigot, CPO of LVMH Wines and Spirits, discuss how procurement can drive competitive advantage through innovation and strategic partnerships. They explore challenges such as managing global supply chains and adapting to market shifts, focusing on circular economy practices, and the role of AI. Host Daphne Luchtenberg is also joined by Marc Sommerer, McKinsey partner, to further explore these themes and their impact on procurement. How can procurement teams balance innovation and sustainability with the demands of complex and volatile supply chains?

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Logistics companies are striving to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Traditional methods often lack real-time data and insights to drive meaningful change.

In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, Samsara’s CEO and Co-founder, Sanjit Biswas, joins McKinsey’s Renee Jackson to discuss how AI-driven digital solutions are transforming logistics operations, from reducing accidents to optimizing asset utilization.

How can AI help your business unlock new levels of operational excellence?

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Companies are striving for end-to-end visibility, efficiency, and agility in their supply chains. Yet, outdated infrastructure, fragmented data, and supply chain disruptions make these goals difficult to achieve. Can Generative AI bridge the gap? In this episode, host Daphne Luchtenberg speaks with Knut Alicke, Author and Leader of McKinsey's Supply Chain Academy; Alberto Oca, Co-leader of McKinsey's Digital Warehousing Practice in North America; Asaf Somekh, Co-founder of Iguazio, a McKinsey Company, and Sanjit Biswas, CEO and Co-founder of Samsara, to explore how AI-driven innovation is reshaping logistics, forecasting, and real-time decision-making.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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In an era of persistent change, how can companies foster an environment that empowers employees to anticipate, respond to, and even leverage unexpected shifts in the business landscape? In this episode, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by McKinsey senior partners Dan Swan and Ruth Heuss, Global Co-Conveners of McKinsey’s Operations Practice, to explore strategies and approaches to technology, workforce planning, and sustainability that will help organizations remain agile and thrive despite uncertainty in 2025 and beyond.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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At the end of 2023, the final podcast of McKinsey Talks Operations concluded that there was no normal for operations leaders. Looking back on the 12 months since then, it seems the sentiment holds true—both everything and nothing has changed. In this episode, hosts Christian Johnson and Daphne Luchtenberg reflect on four recurring themes from their discussions with McKinsey experts and industry guests: building resilient operations ecosystems, decarbonizing operations, winning with talent, and tech-enabling operations with digital and generative AI.

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Many organizations struggle with outdated workforce models, limited AI adoption, and a disconnect between their global capability centers (GCCs) and core business strategies. To overcome these challenges, a global operating model can create capability centers that are an integral part of an organization’ s operations. They function as a microcosm of the company, with leadership, talent, and innovation globally distributed to create a resilient, globally distributed workforce.

In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg talks with Indy Banerjee, Senior Partner at McKinsey, and Jack Madrid, President and CEO of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) about how organizations can adopt a global operating model approach by upskilling and right-skilling their talent pools, embedding AI, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. What steps can your organization take to turn its GCC into an engine of innovation?

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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As companies race to improve customer responsiveness and satisfaction, many are turning to AI to transform their contact centers into hubs of efficiency and personalization. But despite growing investment, most organizations remain stuck in the pilot phase—hindered by legacy systems, fragmented data, and a lack of cross-functional collaboration. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, Christian Johnson speaks with Malte Kosub, CEO of Parloa, and McKinsey partners Oana Cheta and Brian Blackader to explore how Agentic AI is moving beyond automation to drive real-time decision-making, elevate customer experience, and scale service excellence. Is your contact center ready for the AI-driven future? 

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Companies want to future-proof their supply chains without sacrificing agility or growth. Yet escalating tariffs and policy volatility could force them into reactive cycles, compounded by a lack of visibility in global supply chains and changing consumer preferences.

From inventory tactics to operating model overhauls, our panel of experts explores how to shift from firefighting to foresight—creating systems that withstand shocks and unlock value. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by McKinsey partners Liz Hempel, Roman Belotserkovskiy, Valerio Dilda, and Riccardo Drentin for a conversation on navigating tariffs, shifting trade policy, and global supply chain complexity.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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With workforce shortages mounting and productivity growth stalling, robotics and automation have moved from optional to essential for operational leaders. Yet, many pilot programs stall before reaching meaningful scale—held back by integration hurdles, fragmented systems, and perceived risk. But breakthroughs in AI, digital twins, and adaptable platforms are changing the game.

In this episode, host Daphne Luchtenberg speaks with Ani Kelkar, Partner at McKinsey & Company, Ujjwal Kumar, President of Teradyne Robotics, Marc Theermann, Chief Strategy Officer at Boston Dynamics, and Etienne Lacroix, Founder & CEO of Vention. Together, they explore how companies can overcome barriers and successfully integrate robotics into their operations to drive resilience, flexibility, and growth.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Organizations today are under constant pressure to do more with less—improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing experiences. Process intelligence is emerging as a game changer, revealing how work truly happens inside organizations and uncovering new opportunities for impact. 

In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by Mike Kaufmann, healthcare leader, board member, and former CEO of a Fortune 15 company, and Steven Eklund, McKinsey partner specializing in service operations. Together, they explore how process intelligence is transforming healthcare and service industries—illuminating inefficiencies, accelerating decision making, and driving measurable results. 

From diagnosing operational bottlenecks to enabling smarter automation, the discussion dives into how leaders can harness data-driven insights to redesign workflows, improve outcomes, and build more resilient organizations. 

Tune in to discover how process intelligence can help leaders see their operations in a whole new light—and take performance to the next level. 

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations 

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Innovation has long been the engine of economic growth, but today’s R&D efforts are hitting roadblocks. Progress is becoming harder, more complex, and increasingly expensive, signaling a decline in R&D productivity. So, how can leaders turn the tide and unlock the next wave of breakthroughs? 

In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by Ravi Rajamani, Managing Director and Global Head of AI Blackbelts at Google Cloud, and Ben Meigs, associate partner in McKinsey's Product Development practice. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping the R&D landscape. 

From accelerating processes and enhancing design generation to streamlining validation, the discussion dives into the transformative potential of AI to reverse declining productivity. They also tackle the critical role of organizational change, fostering a culture of experimentation, and making smart AI investments to drive meaningful ROI. 

Tune in to discover how leaders can harness AI to reimagine R&D and fuel the next era of innovation.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Aligning financial and environmental performance is no longer optional—it’s a strategic imperative for long-term success.

Organizations are under mounting pressure to reduce emissions without compromising financial performance. But navigating new regulations, volatile material costs, and global supply chain risk makes balancing cost and carbon incredibly complex.

In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Christian Johnson speaks with Matthias Ballweg, Co-founder of Circular Republic, along with McKinsey experts Anna-Christina Fredershausen, Associate Partner in Frankfurt, and Johan Bengtsson, Partner in Stockholm. Together, they explore how companies are executing dual mission strategies—lowering costs and carbon simultaneously—while unlocking new opportunities across their value chains.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Companies across industries are eager to adopt robots that can perform a variety of tasks with human-like flexibility. But achieving general-purpose robotics is no small feat—technical challenges like energy consumption, sim-to-real transfer, and safety concerns slow progress.

In this episode of McKinsey Talks Operations, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by McKinsey partner Ani Kelkar to discuss how advances in embodied AI, foundation models, and robotics design are breaking new ground. As robots learn to perceive, decide, and act in real-world environments.

McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations

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Improving operations, generating revenue and implementing the right technology have all become key priorities for customer care professionals over the last decade. Organizations must find customer service operating models that scale, whilst maintaining customer satisfaction. In an evolving landscape where the leaders are those making significant strides in agentic AI adoption, one question remains: can an agentic AI voice agent truly be empathetic?  

 In this episode, host Daphne Luchtenberg is joined by Eric Buesing, Partner at McKinsey & Company and Gadi Shamia, CEO and Co-founder of Replicant. Together, they discuss the evolving landscape of customer care and explore how agentic AI is transforming contact centres.   

 McKinsey Talks Operations has much more content to offer on the Operations topics that connect strategy with lasting success. Visit www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com to explore events and insights from McKinsey’s Operations Practice, and join the McKinsey Talks Operations community. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-operations. 

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