Business Growth Strategies That Work

Just about one in seven companies has outperformed in the past five years. This latest installment of our landmark series for CEOs highlights business growth strategies that work.

Do you think of Walmart as a media or technology company?  Discover where more than half of its operating-income growth comes from.  

Better yet, learn how leaders get ahead and stay ahead by implementing these business growth strategies that work. 

Strengthen Your People

To seize opportunities in an evolving global order, leaders will need to build geopolitical resilience by investing in three domains: insight, oversight, and foresight. There is, however, a fourth dimension that, without fail, arises in our [McKinsey's] discussions on geopolitical resilience with CEOs and board directors: people. The questions that come up include the following:

• How should I talk to my employees about sensitive geopolitical topics?
• How do I balance transparency with confidentiality around the work our company will not do in a market—a stance that, if it became known publicly, may jeopardize our organization’s operations, people, and reputation in that market?
• How should I upgrade our processes, from employment background checks to internal controls on unauthorized access to data, amid growing stakeholder and regulatory expectations and requirements?
• How can I strengthen unity within our organization and signal that we are committed to being global and inclusive in a changing world?

The question becomes:  How you plan to strengthen your people in 2025?

To learn more, access the entire article here.

From Succession Planning to Building a Leadership Factory

Leading a global organization in today’s fragmented world is difficult—perhaps more difficult than ever.  Difficult times demand great leaders.

Here’s an overview of traits and practices required to succeed as a leader today and a look at the factory model that can help aspiring managers ascend.

We Just Aren't Cracking the Glass Ceiling

The good news is that there are more women in top-level positions at U.S. businesses than at any other point in history. But a study has found that many women face the biggest obstacle to reaching the top of the corporate ladder early in their careers, with fewer women than men getting the opportunity to take their first step into management.  [I believe that is why a lot of women start a business, to avoid being held back.]

There are still big problems getting there, and the biggest, according to a new report from McKinsey & Co. and Lean In, isn’t even breaking through the final “glass ceiling.”