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Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI

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In Rewired, the world's most influential management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, delivers a road-tested, how-to manual their own consultants use to help companies build the capabilities to outcompete in the age of digital and AI. Many companies are stuck with digital transformations that are not moving the needle. There are no quick fixes but there is a playbook. The answer is in rewiring your business so hundreds, thousands, of teams can harness technology to continuously create great customer experiences, lower unit costs, and generate value. It's the capabilities of the organization that win the race. McKinsey Digital's top leaders Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje and Rodney W. Zemmel provide proven how-to details on what it takes in six comprehensive sections – creating the transformation roadmap, building a talent bench, adopting a new operating model, producing a distributed technology environment so teams can innovate, embedding data everywhere, and unlocking user adoption and enterprise scaling. Tested, iterated, reworked, and tested again over the years, McKinsey's digital and AI transformation playbook is captured in the pages of Rewired . It contains diagnostic assessments, operating model designs, technology and data architecture diagrams, how-to checklists, best practices and detailed implementation methods, all exemplified with demonstrated case studies and illustrated with 100+ exhibits. Rewired is for leaders who are ready to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work needed to rewire their company for long-term success.

400 pages, Hardcover

Published June 20, 2023

544 people are currently reading
1245 people want to read

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Eric Lamarre

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5 stars
137 (32%)
4 stars
147 (35%)
3 stars
102 (24%)
2 stars
21 (5%)
1 star
9 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for zoagli.
627 reviews5 followers
September 13, 2023
Superficial overview full of empty phrases and platitudes. Where the book does go into detail (e.g., “pod” composition), it is way too prescriptive.

This book is not a guide, it’s an informercial. It may look sensible, but the authors don’t know your business as well as you do. You need to do the hard work of discovering your own solutions.
Profile Image for Sarah Cupitt.
839 reviews47 followers
October 1, 2023
There are so many tech/work culture/AI books out this year, and they all sound the same, e.g. insert a generic line about underlying strategies that empower organisations to thrive in the digital age.

Takeaways:
- To strike the right balance, imagine your business as a series of domains or distinct areas of activity. Identify a few that are ripe for transformation.
- In an interconnected, digital landscape, the power of a transformation isn't solely in the innovations we create but in the capabilities we build to sustain and scale them.
- In a world where digital prowess often spells the difference between industry leaders and the rest, the ability to harness data stands as a hallmark of innovation.
- Remember that in the digital age, it's not just about having data. It's about nurturing it, understanding its potential, and creating systems to harness its immense power. Because when done right, data doesn't just inform decisions – it propels organisations to unparalleled heights.
- Talent is the heart of transformation. Recognising individual aspirations, providing continuous learning, and guiding newcomers ensures a robust and adaptive workforce. But merely having digital tools isn't enough. True scaling demands harmonising technology with human behaviour, emphasising user adoption and business model realignment.

Zoe's story:
- A promising software developer. She's deeply passionate about her craft but has no aspirations to climb the managerial ladder. Instead, she dreams of honing her skills and becoming a master coder. Organisations must recognize Zoe and others like her. Rather than forcing them into traditional managerial roles, companies should offer alternative paths, allowing experts like Zoe to flourish in their chosen fields. By doing this, they acknowledge the diverse ambitions of their digital workforce and create an environment where individuals feel seen, valued, and motivated.
Profile Image for Hannamari.
437 reviews16 followers
July 15, 2024
This book was exactly what you would expect a McKinsey digital transformation to be like, in good and bad. It depicted a massive transformation, its stuctures and principles, summarizing many best practices, and some of McKinsey’s frameworks. However, while depicting the gradiose transformation approach, I found this book lacking in new insights and practical ideas.
Profile Image for Steve Brock.
654 reviews67 followers
June 26, 2023
As Stevo’s Novel Ideas, I am a long-time book reviewer, member of the media, an Influencer, and a content provider. I received this book as a free review copy from either the publisher, a publicist, or the author, and have not been otherwise compensated for reviewing or recommending it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This book is Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 6/25. Eric Lamarre, et al. deliver a road-tested, how-to manual their own consultants use to help companies build the capabilities to outcompete in the age of digital and AI.

The authors of "Rewired," all consultants at McKinsey & Company, the leader in global management consulting, share their time-tested, but still cutting edge, blueprint for company realignment to incorporate breakthroughs in digital and AI technologies into their management strategies. These include: the use of smartphones, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence (including machine and deep learning), augmented and virtual reality, big data and real-time analytics, digital twins, APIs, cloud technologies, and many others.

"Hardwired" focuses on six enterprise capabilities that need to become hardwired: aligning the leadership team to focus on a united vision of digital technology utilization, evolving or building proprietary digital solutions run by high-quality digital talent, developing an operating model that fosters customer centricity and speed, building a distributed technology environment, developing and deploying data products, and driving user adoption and scaling across the enterprise. The book concludes with success stories from Freeport-McMoRan, DBS and LEGO.

You already know that our corporate future is digital. "Hardwired" is for practitioners who are looking for how to get there the McKinsey way. It's packed with the tools you need: technology architecture diagrams, workplans, how-to checklists, team-staffing models, best-practices, implementation methods, and much more.

A recent entry in the Harper's Index states that 30% of American's brains "shut down" when they encounter any form of data. I'm hoping that the other 70% are like me, who find data to be full of exciting and countless opportunities. "Hardwired" helps us channel this excitement into developing and maintaining a competitive business advantage.

Find more Business Books of the Week on my Goodreads Listopia page at https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..., and find many more reviewed and recommended books and products by searching for me on Google.
92 reviews2 followers
September 12, 2023
Describes well the key items that are important to consider in a digital transformation these days and is more balanced (less black & white) than what I have been used to hear coming from McKinsey.
Left a good impression, confirming a lot of believes I already had as well as adding some new items that complete my understanding of the domain whilst even offering some hands on tools that may really be useful.
However, in my point of view (and this is why only a 3)
1. way too technical - it's supposed to be CEO material, I can tell you that I would never get any of the CEO's I've worked for to get past the first chapter(s).
2. no overall picture. There is not one or a couple of overall schemes that show how the different items interact on an overall level and how you could balance priorities and budget between the big items, it's only explicit on a chapter level.
3. too long. It's too heavy. Some books can get away with that (the 7 habits being one of them) because the reason why it takes long to read is not the fact that it's a lot of pages, or content, it's the fact that it makes you think and so you need time to digest and then once processed, you can move forward. That's not the case here. It's simply too much content, not all that relevant and if we cut to the essence, I'm sure it can be at least 25% shorter.
But that's just my opinion :-)
Profile Image for Rene Stone.
13 reviews
August 8, 2025
This is a great overview of key elements of digital transformations in large organizations. Based on my 30+ years of experience, I can recommend it as a very complete description and it will help both business as tech leaders on a levels of seniority.
Profile Image for Jung.
1,940 reviews45 followers
October 1, 2023
"Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI" by Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje, and Rodney Zemmel is a comprehensive guide to thriving in the digital era. The book emphasizes the importance of crafting a clear vision for digital transformation, nurturing digital talent, scaling transformations effectively, and harnessing the power of data.

In the digital age, having a well-defined and actionable vision is crucial. Leadership teams should create a shared understanding of the organization's digital future, making it tangible and easy for the entire organization to rally behind. Striking the right balance between starting small and avoiding overwhelming changes is essential to success.

Digital transformation is not just about technology; it's also about the people who drive it. Recognizing and nurturing diverse talents within the workforce is vital. Tailored learning paths, upskilling opportunities, and reskilling programs empower employees to remain at the forefront of their fields.

Scaling digital transformations requires a holistic approach. It involves ensuring user adoption, adapting the entire business model, and having dedicated teams to manage the change effectively. It's not just about introducing new tools but reshaping the core way of doing business.

Data plays a pivotal role in the digital era. Identifying key data, making it accessible through data products, and establishing a dynamic data architecture are essential steps. Governance is crucial to ensure data quality, security, and compliance. Organizations should cultivate a data-driven culture to fully harness the power of data.

In summary, "Rewired" offers valuable insights into navigating the digital age. It highlights the importance of a clear vision, nurturing talent, scaling transformations, and leveraging data to outcompete in a rapidly evolving digital and AI-driven landscape.
Profile Image for Nitin.
43 reviews3 followers
December 27, 2025
Very few management consulting books are truly worth reading. Maybe this will be one of those.
In today’s era, we are bombarded with endless content on how to compete and excel in the age of AI—and management consultants are at the forefront of it. After all, it’s their bread and butter. But like many consultant decks and articles, most of the content tends to have a “holier-than-thou” attitude, presenting obvious insights as if they were gospel truths. I expected the same vibe from this book—and initially, it didn’t disappoint. But as I read further, it became clear that this one is worth reading completely. And yes, the time was well spent.
The book is neatly organized (what else would you expect from McKinsey?) and the articulation is sharp and clear. The fact that familiar insights once presented in such a structured way gives us a sense of confidence—that’s something always struck me as powerful. The frameworks (starting with defining top-down AI strategy, building the foundation—tech, data, people, operating model) are well thought out and reflect McKinsey’s ground-level work with leading organizations in this space. (McKinsey's Quantum black team is doing good job it seems!).
The case studies are helpful, though I wish there were more—covering different industries and geographies. McKinsey could have easily done this given their global reach. It would have added breadth and industry-specific nuance. Another area where the book could have gone deeper is implementation guidance. Perhaps that was out of scope or too tactical for McKinsey’s taste. But in the AI world, while knowledge is plentiful, it’s execution that wins the day.
But as a starting point—where to begin and what to do—this is a good book. Especially since many leaders from traditional organizations (especially from India) haven’t even started that journey yet or started but don't know how to make it homerun! Sigh!
Profile Image for Zdenek Sykora.
435 reviews20 followers
May 22, 2024
Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI by Eric Lamarre, Rodney Zemmel, and Kate Smaje is a comprehensive and insightful guide for organizations looking to thrive in the digital and AI-driven landscape. This book leverages McKinsey's extensive research and expertise to provide a strategic roadmap for businesses aiming to harness the power of digital transformation and artificial intelligence to outcompete their peers.
The authors present a compelling case for why digital transformation is no longer optional but essential for survival and growth. They offer a detailed framework for understanding and implementing digital strategies, supported by numerous real-world examples and case studies. The book covers various aspects of digital transformation, including leadership, culture, technology, and innovation, making it an invaluable resource for business leaders and managers.
The writing is clear and accessible, making complex concepts understandable for a broad audience. The authors do an excellent job of breaking down the steps needed to build a digital-first organization and the potential pitfalls to avoid. Overall, Rewired is a must-read for anyone involved in driving digital transformation and leveraging AI to create a competitive edge.

Main Points of Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI

1. The Imperative of Digital Transformation:
• Digital transformation is essential for survival and growth in the modern business landscape.
• Organizations must adapt to the rapid pace of technological change to remain competitive.
2. Leadership and Vision:
• Effective digital transformation requires strong leadership and a clear vision.
• Leaders must champion digital initiatives and align them with the overall strategic goals of the organization.
3. Creating a Digital Culture:
• Building a digital-first culture is crucial for successful transformation.
• Organizations need to foster a mindset of continuous learning, experimentation, and innovation.
4. Customer-Centric Approach:
• Understanding and anticipating customer needs is key to leveraging digital technologies.
• Personalization and enhanced customer experiences drive engagement and loyalty.
5. Leveraging Data and Analytics:
• Data is the foundation of digital transformation.
• Advanced analytics and AI can unlock valuable insights and drive decision-making.
6. Technology and Infrastructure:
• Investing in the right technology infrastructure is essential for supporting digital initiatives.
• Cloud computing, cybersecurity, and scalable platforms are critical components.
7. Agile Methodologies:
• Agile practices enable organizations to respond quickly to changing market conditions.
• Cross-functional teams and iterative development processes enhance flexibility and innovation.
8. Innovation and Ecosystems:
• Partnering with external ecosystems and startups can accelerate innovation.
• Open innovation and collaboration broaden access to new ideas and technologies.
9. Operational Excellence:
• Digital transformation should streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
• Automation and AI can optimize processes and reduce costs.
10. Measuring Success and ROI:
• Clear metrics and KPIs are necessary to track the success of digital initiatives.
• Regular assessment and adaptation ensure continuous improvement and value creation.
11. Change Management:
• Managing change effectively is crucial for digital transformation.
• Communication, training, and support help to overcome resistance and drive adoption.
12. Scalability and Sustainability:
• Successful digital initiatives must be scalable and sustainable.
• Long-term planning and resilience ensure continued growth and adaptability.
13. Ethical Considerations:
• Ethical implications of AI and digital technologies must be considered.
• Transparency, fairness, and accountability are essential for building trust.
14. Case Studies and Real-World Examples:
• The book provides numerous examples of organizations that have successfully implemented digital transformations.
• These case studies offer practical insights and lessons learned.
15. Future Trends and Predictions:
• The authors discuss emerging trends and the future landscape of digital and AI.
• Staying ahead of these trends is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.

Five Critical Questions for Further Exploration

1. How can organizations balance the need for rapid digital transformation with the potential risks and challenges associated with implementing new technologies?
• Exploring risk management strategies and change management practices can provide insights into this balancing act.
2. What specific steps can leaders take to foster a digital-first culture in organizations that are resistant to change?
• Identifying best practices for cultural transformation and employee engagement can help address resistance.
3. How can companies ensure that their data analytics and AI initiatives are aligned with ethical standards and avoid biases?
• Investigating frameworks for ethical AI and data governance can offer solutions to these concerns.
4. What role do partnerships and ecosystems play in accelerating digital transformation, and how can organizations effectively leverage them?
• Examining case studies of successful partnerships can reveal strategies for effective collaboration and innovation.
5. How can businesses measure the long-term impact of digital transformation on customer satisfaction and loyalty?
• Developing metrics and KPIs that capture customer experience and loyalty over time can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of digital strategies.

In conclusion, Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI is an essential read for business leaders and managers looking to navigate the complexities of digital transformation. Its comprehensive approach, backed by real-world examples and actionable insights, makes it a valuable resource for achieving sustainable competitive advantage in the digital age.
Profile Image for Charles Reed.
Author 334 books41 followers
August 17, 2024
51%.
It's like when if you give a kid an assignment and tell them to give you information about how they would implement it, but they just do the CliffsNotes version and write down some very general information details about it that have no actual tangible way of translating into real advice. So it's like, okay, this was written as a guide and the person just did the most lazy outline possible without any actionable steps. Like if you ask them a question of, for example, how do companies implement AI? They would say, these companies implemented AI successfully. And it's like, okay, and how did they do it? But they never answer the question of how to do it or give any examples for implementation, which is ridiculous for a book that's specifically written to be technologically driven and a guide on how to implement things. There's no implementation. It just talks about general overviews and structures, not how you would organize or do any of it. When people say that that's a bunch of vague platitudes, they're spot on.
Profile Image for Asya.
39 reviews
March 23, 2024
The main audience of the book are executives or high level management in large organizations looking to digitally transform itself. The idea is that you first figure out WHAT you want to do, define a blueprint and a roadmap, and then in a systematic way identify the gaps and the needs to get there. In this storyline the book then offers an overview of best practices across key dimensions like talent management, operating model, technology, data management, digital adoption and scaling. There is a lot of useful information and clever advice that can be transferred also into smaller scale context for everyone looking to improve digital level and data mindset in the organization.

Between 4 and 3 starts, 3 stars in the end as some section could be more concrete and with less fancy word jargon.
Profile Image for Grace.
28 reviews15 followers
October 2, 2024
After the previous McKinsey book disappointment, I was initially hesitant to invest time on this book despite the Financial Times best selling book ranking. It's written by a senior partner at McKinsey with many wisdom and gems from countless real projects, so I gave it a chance. After listening through, I found it surprisingly practical with many templates that can be used in projects and real life. It's packed with field rated pointers about digital transformation up to date knowledge, there are also many interviews about the author online which I found helpful.
Profile Image for Andrei ILchenko.
46 reviews
November 10, 2024
This book provides a handy broad overview of what a modern digital enterprise, such as a bank, should have in terms of its capabilities. It covers digital roadmap development, talent development, operating model, data domain development, data governance and data products.

The target group of the book are senior leaders so it avoids nitty-gritty details of particular technologies. Yet it gives you enough context to benchmark your company against what the more advanced digitally-savvy peers are doing and helps you plan your digital agenda.
1 review
September 2, 2024
Es un buen libro para entender cómo funciona una transformación digital en la big picture. Me parece que es muy bueno para directivos, C-Level, qué están en un proceso de transformación o buscan empezar con uno.

No recomendaría este libro a personas con poca experiencia en liderazgo o transformación. Necesitas tener al menos un par de proyectos/transformaciones para aterrizar bien los conceptos. Sin estas experiencias puede parecer poco sustentado.
Profile Image for Kirill Protasenia.
164 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2024
Thinking and justification logic in the book is similar to the one we used to in EPAM Systems. I like clear and simple language explaining foundational concepts of modern digital transformation and pillars it stays on. Ideal to be treated as reference manual with lots of useful diagrams and schemas. If you would like to run a successful outsource or consulting business - just implement everything written in the book.
18 reviews
October 22, 2025
Tull of interesting information but a true brick.

The writers could have done a better job of making it better organized instead of having it (what felt like) jumping from one thing to another.

But the key information is there, the considerations to implementing a digital management style, a brief of technologies to think about...

recommended if you want to learn about it but be prepared to force yourself to read it even if you're interested in the subject
Profile Image for Frank Luong.
2 reviews
July 27, 2023
The excellence playbook for Digital & AI Transformation

🎉 This is one of the best book about Digital & AI transformation strategy. It brings best practices to help enterprise to build digital & AI competitive advantage. I would love if this book also gives more example case studies in different industries.
Profile Image for Synthia Salomon.
1,225 reviews21 followers
October 1, 2023
To put it succinctly, scaling transformations in this digital age requires a symbiosis of tech prowess with a deep understanding of human behavior. Whether you're a global conglomerate or a burgeoning startup, remember: in the realm of digital transformations, it's not about racing to the finish line but ensuring every participant is well-equipped and ready for the marathon ahead.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Todd Christ.
35 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2024
There was definitely a lot of buzz words in this book will probably have to listen to it two or three times to catch it. All the author makes all of the sun very easy, but we know this is an all year multimillion dollar process great job overall tons of info will definitely have to browse through the PDF.
Profile Image for Dimitri.
221 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2024
📕 Why (Not) to read this book (Target Audience)

This book could not inspire me

👀 How this book changed my daily live (Takeaways)

How to be a soccer team if we all want to be a goalie
-- Desmond tuttu

⁉ Spoiler Alerts (Highlights)

80% of digital talent should be inhouse
Is it expensive to hire professional talent, wait until you hire an amateur
Profile Image for Anjar Priandoyo.
312 reviews16 followers
March 2, 2025
This book by McKinsey is very clear guidelines on how to do transformation. You can use this as reference to do the digital transformation in the company. But, in reality to do this you don't get it by reading the book, but you invite consultant that can help you to create somekind of book version that customized to your company, which ironic that actually you can do it by reading this bbok.
6 reviews
October 19, 2025
Es una guía practica

Este libro integra de forma ordenada los elementos necesarios para guiar una transformación empresarial. No es una receta, es un marco de referencia muy útil para líderes que participan en procesos de transformación digital, procesos de transformación por tecnologías de inteligencia artificial y remodelaciones de arquitecturas empresariales.
Profile Image for Mohammad Ali Khawaja.
8 reviews
November 28, 2025
A practical and comprehensive guide for companies to move into the digital world. However, the focus is for companies to be cutting edge and design new digital products and business models. It lacks focus on many companies who want to be average or above average and wants to adopt but not design digital solutions
1 review1 follower
October 16, 2023
Gran libro de referencia

El libro provee una interesante guía en torno a las transformaciones digitales, que se debe tener en cuenta, cuáles son las prioridades y cuáles son mejores
Profile Image for H A William.
4 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2024
This book offers a nuanced perspective on integrating technology within non-tech firms. What truly stands out is its insightful discussion on how practices pioneered by native tech companies can be seamlessly adopted across diverse industries, whether in banking or even toy manufacturing.
Profile Image for Jaume Sués Caula.
247 reviews2 followers
August 2, 2025
General review of the transformation roadmap in the companies. Nothing new, but well structured with “consulting style”. Good reason for C-levels who want a quick understanding of the buzzwords, digital frameworks and other related concepts.
Profile Image for Alley Mcintosh.
Author 1 book
November 4, 2023
Super good from a business perspective at a high level. Also think it can serve an an intro to many for the topic
Profile Image for Cannon.
101 reviews
Read
February 1, 2024
listening to this as an audiobook meant I comprehended 30% of what is there

think this would be helpful more as something to reference back to
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