Welcome to the latest edition of Strategy & Corporate Finance Insights and Events. This monthly newsletter features our latest insights, research, and upcoming events to help leaders stay ahead of the trends shaping strategy, corporate finance, and value creation.

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Our experts share new insights and respond directly to your questions during each 60-minute session. Interested in a topic but not sure you can attend? All registrants also receive access to the on-demand recording following the event.

M&A integration: The new value creation playbook

Most companies invest heavily in designing strategy. Far fewer invest in mobilizing it — the deliberate work between strategic decisions and execution that determines whether a strategy takes hold. Research across more than 400 companies suggests mobilization is the strongest differentiator between top and bottom economic-profit performers. Rather than assuming execution will follow, leading companies confront trade-offs early, reallocate resources, align leaders, and prepare the organization before implementation begins. In an era of AI, portfolio reshaping, and continuous disruption, mobilization is emerging as a strategic capability that can determine whether competitive advantage is created—or lost. Read our Harvard Business Review article for a deeper look at the research and practical actions leaders can take.

“Back in the Cold War, there was a very important strategist called Andrew Marshall. He used to say, 'Your strategy can only influence your competitors if it survives your system first.' Too many strategies don't survive our systems. Those that get results are better at ensuring their strategic choices survive their own systems. That's the power of mobilization.”

Our weekly podcast features exclusive conversations on issues important to CEOs, CFOs, and their teams.

Featured episode: How to maximize competitive advantage
Competitive advantage is becoming much more fluid as market positions shift faster across industries, with advantages eroding and differentiation narrowing. Despite this increased volatility, companies often fail to actively monitor shifts in their competitive edge. This episode discusses our latest research on the erosion of competitive advantage and share what companies can do to maximize their edge over peers.

Our latest podcasts include:

- Driving value with an investor mindset (Ep 313)
- Improving private equity exit prospects (Ep 312)
- Proven growth strategies from market leaders (Ep 311)

Follow Inside the Strategy Room on your favorite podcast player.

From the C-suite to the boardroom: Christiana Smith Shi on what it takes. For executives, the developmental opportunity may be clear, but what does board service really entail?

Why accelerated resource allocation matters in the age of AI. In an era of rapid AI disruption, the winners may not be the companies that predict the future most accurately, but those that learn, reallocate resources, and adapt faster than their competitors.

In an AI-driven world, the fastest learner will win. As he steps down as chair of McKinsey Global Institute, Sven Smit considers the current AI moment, where the next big ideas are coming from, and how institutions will harness knowledge in the future.

How AI agents can help FP&A better steer the business. AI makes continuous financial planning practical at scale. Organizations can identify risks sooner, evaluate trade-offs faster, and intervene before performance gaps widen.

Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletters —The Strategic CEO for insights on CEO priorities and leadership, and The Valuation Practitioner for the latest thinking on valuation, capital allocation, and corporate finance.