Crafting tomorrow

By Cyrus Asgarian, Viktoriya Bondarets, Fabian Huhle, Jann Oetken and Tilo Polster

In this time of unprecedented challenges and change, organizations cannot afford to sit still. From rising cost pressures and shifting market demands to digitalization, talent shortages, increased competition, and geopolitical uncertainty, they must adapt to survive. In short, they must become future proof.

While efficiency remains a cornerstone of success, organizations must also stay ahead of industry trends, adopt people-centric approaches , and ensure operational agility to remain competitive and resilient. Balancing these priorities enables businesses to proactively prepare for the unknown, embed flexibility, foster adaptability, and prioritize sustainable growth – all critical for thriving in uncertain times.

We surveyed more than 260 business leaders in key industries, from automotive to healthcare, on nine essential dimensions for organizing and operating a company. These include technical innovations, such as AI , as well as structural and process elements, such as people-centricity. Success in these dimensions is what makes excellent organizations stand out from average ones. We used the survey results to identify such next-generation winners – companies that set the future standard in organizational development through exemplary structures and processes.

Key success factos that set next gen winners apart

1. They streamline processes at all levels to reduce bureaucracy, enabling quicker and more informed decisions that drive better outcomes.

2. They simplify organizational layers and leverage modular, market-specific processes to respond effectively to market needs.

3. They shift from hierarchical and traditional matrix structures to platform-based organizations that enable scalability, speed, and resilience.

4. They invest strategically in both core and new business areas to harness untapped potential.

5. They orchestrate AI initiatives with central leadership and integrate the people side to avoid fragmented, random efforts.

6. They build people-centric organizations that address employee needs and implement systematic talent, skills, and learning strategies.

7. They transform fragmented efforts into tangible initiatives to embed DEI across the organization.

8. They make bold moves in transforming the company skeleton to shape employee behaviors and achieve outstanding business performance.

9. They reassess the management agenda with regard to strategy, functions, and people – and clearly define roles.

Time to act

The nine dimensions may feel overwhelming to many companies. But in practice, it’s not about executing all of them at once. Rather, it is about deciding on the right entry points for your specific organization and taking deliberate steps to drive change and growth. These incremental changes, when aligned with a clear vision, can create momentum and set the foundation for broader transformation over time.

In the full study, we outline two starting points to consider, including practical steps that provide immediate benefits and developing a customized blueprint that ensures a structured and scalable transformation journey. Please download the study for more information, or feel free to contact our experts.

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