Publications
Publications
- February 2024
- HBS Case Collection
Continuity & Change at Boston Consulting Group
By: David G. Fubini, Suraj Srinivasan and David Lane
Abstract
As the new CEO of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) since autumn 2021, Christoph Schweizer had big shoes to fill—his predecessor, Rich Lesser, had tripled the partnership’s total revenues and created digital initiatives that contributed 40+% of 2021 revenues, more than doubling headcount along the way. Schweizer announced plans for fresh growth: he planned to double the partnership’s size and pursue what he called moonshots—dedicated efforts to accelerate in artificial intelligence and climate & sustainability that would each help drive 20% to 30% of total BCG revenues by 2030. Externally, however, BCG was soon grappling with the macro-effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as rising interest rates, compounding the potential risks BCG faced with a commitment to rapid growth. As yet unclear was how much BCG needed to adapt or alter the formula of success that Lesser had applied in order to tackle these headwinds and deliver on Schweizer’s vision.
Keywords
Business Organization; Change Management; Talent and Talent Management; Governance; AI and Machine Learning; Environmental Sustainability; Leading Change; Risk Management; Organizational Culture; Partners and Partnerships; Revenue; Growth and Development Strategy; Management Succession; Consulting Industry
Citation
Fubini, David G., Suraj Srinivasan, and David Lane. "Continuity & Change at Boston Consulting Group." Harvard Business School Case 124-011, February 2024.