McKinsey’s Lost Edge: What Went Wrong

“Business has been forced to adjust itself to staggering acceleration in the rate of change,” observed a consultancy in a 1940 pamphlet.

This 1940 observation rings remarkably true today, highlighting business’s ongoing struggle with rapid shifts.

• The consultancy noted a “staggering acceleration in the rate of change” impacting business.
• Executives in 1940 faced unprecedentedly arduous problems.
• Demand for the consultancy’s advice was reportedly soaring.

The consultancy’s 1940 pamphlet posed a pointed question: “What period in history has ever presented more difficult problems for the executive?” The firm noted that business had been forced to adjust to this acceleration. Naturally, it’s own demand for advice was soaring, the pamphlet stated.

Did you know?-The concept of accelerating change was already a concern for businesses over 80 years ago.

Pro tip:-Understanding historical business challenges can provide valuable perspective on current disruptions.

Reader question:-How do today’s challenges compare to those faced by businesses in 1940?

The consultancy’s 1940 pamphlet posed a pointed question: “What period in history has ever presented more difficult problems for the executive?” The firm noted that business had been forced to adjust to this acceleration. Naturally, its own demand for advice was soaring, the pamphlet stated.