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. Join Matt Banholzer and Laura LaBerge as they discuss their latest research on the erosion of competitive advantage and share what companies can do to maximize their edge over peers.

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Strategy’s biggest blind spot: Erosion of competitive advantage

How top economic performers lean into their competitive advantage to guide their strategy

Why accelerated resource allocation matters in the age of AI

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. Join <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/matt-banholzer?cid=cl4c-cml&amp;sid=%7b%7blead.SFDC%20Id:default=CL4C%7d%7d">Matt Banholzer</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/laura-laberge?cid=cl4c-cml&amp;sid=%7b%7blead.SFDC%20Id:default=CL4C%7d%7d">Laura LaBerge</a>&nbsp;as they discuss their latest <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/strategys-biggest-blind-spot-erosion-of-competitive-advantage?cid=cl4c-cml&amp;sid=%7b%7blead.SFDC%20Id:default=CL4C%7d%7d">research</a>&nbsp;on the erosion of competitive advantage and share what companies can do to maximize their edge over peers.
Related Insights&nbsp; 
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/strategys-biggest-blind-spot-erosion-of-competitive-advantage?cid=cl4c-cml&amp;sid=%7b%7blead.SFDC%20Id:default=CL4C%7d%7d">Strategy&rsquo;s biggest blind spot: Erosion of competitive advantage</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/how-top-economic-performers-lean-into-their-competitive-advantage-to-guide-their-strategy">How top economic performers lean into their competitive advantage to guide their strategy</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/why-accelerated-resource-allocation-matters-in-the-age-of-ai">Why accelerated resource allocation matters in the age of AI</a>

We talk with McKinsey partners and corporate executives on the challenges they face creating lasting strategies in a fast-changing world. We also examine the different ways these executives approach these challenges and the new and innovative ways they think of creating a vision for their enterprises.

What does it take to survive in a world of constant change? More than ever, enterprises need to create strategies that can meet current needs but also adapt to future demand. A regular series of interviews with McKinsey partners and corporate executives.

Inside the Strategy Room

The world is moving faster, and as upheaval becomes the norm, vast business opportunities will be within the grasp of the extraordinary few.  But it takes bold people and courageous approaches to seize those opportunities and create value.

In each episode of our weekly podcast, we interview the world’s highest-performing CEOs, CFOs, innovators, and McKinsey experts and discuss how they build the courage, clarity, conviction, and cohesion that allow their businesses to win by moving faster than the world around them. 

The world is moving faster, and as upheaval becomes the norm, vast business opportunities will be within the grasp of the extraordinary few. &nbsp;But it takes bold people and courageous approaches to seize those opportunities and create value.
In each episode of our weekly podcast, we interview the world&rsquo;s highest-performing CEOs, CFOs, innovators, and McKinsey experts and discuss how they build the courage, clarity, conviction, and cohesion that allow their businesses to win by moving faster than the world around them.&nbsp;

314. How to maximize competitive advantage

Real estate is moving from stabilization to selective acceleration, with value creation becoming more targeted, operational, and execution-led. As capital concentrates in select sectors and strategies, leaders need sharper asset selection, disciplined capital structures, and stronger AI-enabled capabilities. Ben Dimson, Tripp Norton, and Aditya Sanghvi discuss how General Partners, Limited Partners, and real estate operators can turn market complexity into an advantage, drawing on research from their recent article.

Related insights

Real estate builds on new terrain

Real estate’s selective recovery

How agentic AI can reshape real estate’s operating model

2026 Global Private Markets Report: Private equity−clearer view, tougher terrain

Real estate is moving from stabilization to selective acceleration, with value creation becoming more targeted, operational, and execution-led. As capital concentrates in select sectors and strategies, leaders need sharper asset selection, disciplined capital structures, and stronger AI-enabled capabilities. <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/ben-dimson?cid=cl4c-cml&amp;sid=%7b%7blead.SFDC%20Id:default=CL4C%7d%7d">Ben Dimson</a>, <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Ftrippnorton&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClare_Kitada-SYDN%40external.mckinsey.com%7C9cf981f240e7412a8fab08df09158b39%7Ccc8936bc93824fff87cb6f55999549e7%7C0%7C0%7C639239660502865651%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=LXrLRRLkIpc960TcIa74AXYlQozOlYxl5GKN3HWxUD4%3D&amp;reserved=0">Tripp Norton</a>, and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/aditya-sanghvi">Aditya Sanghvi</a>&nbsp;discuss how General Partners, Limited Partners, and real estate operators can turn market complexity into an advantage, drawing on research from their recent <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/global-private-markets-report/real-estate">article</a>. Related insights
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/global-private-markets-report/real-estate">Real estate builds on new terrain</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/charts/real-estates-selective-recovery">Real estate&rsquo;s selective recovery</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/real-estate/our-insights/how-agentic-ai-can-reshape-real-estates-operating-model">How agentic AI can reshape real estate&rsquo;s operating model</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/global-private-markets-report?cid=cl4c-cml&amp;sid=%7b%7blead.SFDC%20Id:default=CL4C%7d%7d">2026 Global Private Markets Report</a><a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/global-private-markets-report/private-equity">: </a><a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/global-private-markets-report/private-equity">Private equity&minus;clearer view, tougher terrain</a>

322. Capturing value in real estate’s new terrain

Private equity is navigating one of its most challenging value creation environments in years, and winning firms are using M&A integration as a competitive weapon. Brian Dinneen and Matthew Maloney join us to discuss three high-impact integration strategies that leading sponsors are using to overcome these headwinds, based on their recent article.

Related insights

How private equity is using M&A integrations to overcome headwinds

Unlocking full potential: Five practices reshaping PE value creation

2026 Global Private Markets Report: Private equity−clearer view, tougher terrain

Beating the odds: How private equity firms can improve exit prospects

Transforming value creation in private equity portfolio companies (podcast)

Private Capital at McKinsey

Private equity is navigating one of its most challenging value creation environments in years, and winning firms are using M&amp;A integration as a competitive weapon. <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fbriandinneen%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClare_Kitada-SYDN%40external.mckinsey.com%7C7506471714a14b05d31808df091095a3%7Ccc8936bc93824fff87cb6f55999549e7%7C0%7C0%7C639239639019051631%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=HYiCoifRMPX8h0et4FegMlCm50f4qVKps51HeRwChAI%3D&amp;reserved=0">Brian Dinneen</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/matthew-maloney?cid=cl4c-cml&amp;sid=%7b%7blead.SFDC%20Id:default=CL4C%7d%7d">Matthew Maloney</a>&nbsp;join us to discuss three high-impact integration strategies that leading sponsors are using to overcome these headwinds, based on their recent <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/how-private-equity-is-using-m-and-a-integrations-to-overcome-headwinds?cid=cl4c-cml&amp;sid=%7b%7blead.SFDC%20Id:default=CL4C%7d%7d">article</a>.
Related insights
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/how-private-equity-is-using-m-and-a-integrations-to-overcome-headwinds">How private equity is using M&amp;A integrations to overcome headwinds</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/transformation/our-insights/unlocking-full-potential-five-practices-reshaping-pe-value-creation">Unlocking full potential: Five practices reshaping PE value creation</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/global-private-markets-report?cid=cl4c-cml&amp;sid=%7b%7blead.SFDC%20Id:default=CL4C%7d%7d">2026 Global Private Markets Report</a><a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/global-private-markets-report/private-equity">: </a><a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/global-private-markets-report/private-equity">Private equity&minus;clearer view, tougher terrain</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/beating-the-odds-how-private-equity-firms-can-improve-exit-prospects">Beating the odds: How private equity firms can improve exit prospects</a>
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/inside-the-strategy-room/306-transforming-value-creation-in-private-equity-portfolio-companies">Transforming value creation in private equity portfolio companies</a> (podcast) <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights">Private Capital at McKinsey</a>

321. M&A integration: PE’s new value creation playbook

The risk function’s fundamental purpose has not changed in light of AI. What has changed is the nature and pace of risks amplified by AI, as well as the tools available to manage them. Anke Raufuss, Björn Nilsson, and Laura Webanck join us to discuss the role of the digital twin and how it is changing the future of risk management.

 Related Insights

Evolving model risk management in the age of AI

How companies can strengthen their geopolitical risk readiness

Global risk productivity survey: Four themes shaping risk management

The future of risk: How global trends are reshaping risk management

From risk to resilience: New approaches to navigating disruption in Asia

Risk and Resilience on McKinsey.com

McKinsey Risk & Resilience on LinkedIn



 

The risk function&rsquo;s fundamental purpose has not changed in light of AI. What has changed is the nature and pace of risks amplified by AI, as well as the tools available to manage them. <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/anke-raufuss">Anke Raufuss</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bj%C3%B6rn-nilsson-71a6065/" aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-expanded="true" aria-controls="&laquo;r5&raquo;">Bj&ouml;rn Nilsson</a>, and <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Flaura-webanck-6b70ba6%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CClare_Kitada-SYDN%40external.mckinsey.com%7C7d13f1efa4a340e807ec08defecf8c25%7Ccc8936bc93824fff87cb6f55999549e7%7C0%7C0%7C639228364551836264%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=pLpiW9OkH5pFm1tC8VrnXh1pTdrRCOiBcOkq59ypuD4%3D&amp;reserved=0">Laura Webanck</a>&nbsp;join us to discuss the role of the digital twin and how it is changing the future of risk management.
&nbsp;Related Insights
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/our-insights/evolving-model-risk-management-in-the-age-of-ai">Evolving model risk management in the age of AI</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/our-insights/how-companies-can-strengthen-their-geopolitical-risk-readiness">How companies can strengthen their geopolitical risk readiness</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/our-insights/global-risk-productivity-survey-four-themes-shaping-risk-management">Global risk productivity survey: Four themes shaping risk management</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/our-insights/the-future-of-risk-how-global-trends-are-reshaping-risk-management">The future of risk: How global trends are reshaping risk management</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/our-insights/from-risk-to-resilience-new-approaches-to-navigating-disruption-in-asia">From risk to resilience: New approaches to navigating disruption in Asia</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/how-we-help-clients">Risk and Resilience on McKinsey.com</a>
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-risk-resilience/">McKinsey Risk &amp; Resilience on LinkedIn</a> 
&nbsp;

314. How to maximize competitive advantage

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