
McKinsey Talks Operations
The next normal demands resilience, flexibility, and agility.
Join us on www.McKinseyTalksOperations.com where the world’s C-Suite leaders and McKinsey experts cut through the noise to uncover how to create a new operational reality. Each episode considers the challenges companies and economies are facing, and the opportunities leaders can seize for competitive advantage. We’ll look at how to connect boardroom strategy to the frontlines, ways to increase performance, where and when to infuse operations with technology, and why empowering the workforce with skills and capabilities is key to 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
Latest episodes

Mar 28, 2025 • 27min
Beyond cost savings: The global footprint of innovation hubs
Indy Banerjee, Senior Partner at McKinsey, and Jack Madrid, President and CEO of IBPAP, dive into the evolution of Global Capability Centers. They discuss transforming these centers into innovation hubs rather than just cost-saving solutions. The conversation highlights the role of AI adoption, the need for resilient workforce strategies, and the importance of cultural alignment in organizations. They also explore how geopolitical factors impact global workforce trends, particularly in the Philippines, emphasizing continuous skill development for future success.

Mar 18, 2025 • 16min
Safer, greener, faster: AI-powered supply chains in action
Sanjit Biswas, CEO and co-founder of Samsara, a leader in AI-driven logistics solutions, shares insights on how technology is reshaping supply chains. He discusses the critical role of AI in enhancing safety, with a case study showcasing reduced accidents among delivery drivers. Biswas emphasizes data optimization for operational efficiency, highlighting how automation yields significant savings. He also addresses the importance of a strategic approach to harnessing generative AI for productivity, driving home the need for digital transformation in logistics.

Mar 14, 2025 • 30min
Beyond automation: How gen AI is reshaping supply chains
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-operationsSee www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Feb 11, 2025 • 26min
Powering productivity: Operations insights for 2025
Dan Swan and Ruth Heuss, senior partners at McKinsey, delve into the future of operations. They discuss how companies can empower their workforce to adapt to ongoing change, citing generative AI and sustainable supply chains as key tools. The duo emphasizes the need for collaboration between COOs and CIOs to optimize organizational efficiency. They also tackle the challenges of securing support for technology investments and highlight the importance of integrating frontline input in transformation initiatives for enhanced productivity.

Dec 18, 2024 • 29min
A year in review from McKinsey Talks Operations: Beyond normal
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.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Nov 20, 2024 • 26min
Procurement’s sustainable (r)evolution
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?See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Oct 29, 2024 • 26min
In pursuit of productivity: How Minsur mined a rich seam of operational excellence
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.See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

9 snips
Sep 27, 2024 • 36min
The best jobs in the world: How the Global Lighthouse Network is shaping the future of production
Explore how companies are navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution, tackling challenges like outdated systems and the need for workforce upskilling. Discover the Global Lighthouse Network's role in showcasing successful digital transformations in manufacturing. Delve into the vital contributions women make in the operational sphere and the push for gender parity. Uncover how collaboration and innovation can enhance performance, merging sustainability with productivity to reap significant returns.

Aug 14, 2024 • 24min
Innovation hubs: How Global Capability Centers are shaping the future of business
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-operationsSee www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Jun 14, 2024 • 26min
Future-proofing operations: How tech and talent go hand-in-hand
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-operationsSee www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
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