The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI
If your digital transformation feels more like corporate buzzword bingo than real progress, Rewired might be the reset you need. Written by McKinsey Digital’s Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje, and Rodney W. Zemmel, this isn’t another motivational talk in book form. It is a hands-on, field-tested guide from one of the most respected names in business strategy.
Here’s the core issue: most companies are “doing digital,” but few are winning with it. Initiatives launch with fanfare, like apps, dashboards, and agile teams, but results often fall flat. The reason? While tools get upgraded, organizational capabilities are left behind.
Rewired argues that true digital and AI transformation is not a project or a speech. It is a company-wide overhaul of how people work, make decisions, and deliver value. Think structural change, not surface-level tweaks.
The book outlines six critical areas where businesses must focus:
- Roadmap: A clear, actionable plan that goes beyond good-looking slides
- Talent: Building internal expertise instead of outsourcing everything
- Operating model: Enabling teams to execute, not just collaborate
- Tech environment: Decentralizing innovation beyond traditional IT
- Data: Embedding insights into day-to-day decisions
- Scaling: Moving beyond pilots to real enterprise-wide impact
What sets Rewired apart is its practicality. The book is loaded with templates, diagnostics, checklists, architecture diagrams, and over 100 exhibits. It is not just advice, it is a blueprint drawn from McKinsey’s work with leading global companies.
Bottom line: if you are serious about turning digital into a competitive edge, not just a slogan, Rewired gives you the tools. Just be ready to roll up your sleeves. Transformation takes work, but this guide shows you exactly where to start.