Go Boldly: 3 Themes for Progress in 2022

We can make 2022 a year of progress, even amid historic challenges.

As we kick off 2022, I’m reflecting on three interconnected waves that are changing the world. These are not new movements. They are not distinct. They will not resolve in the New Year. Yet together, they create a once-in-a-century opportunity.

Digital transformation continues and hastens as new technologies emerge and evolve. However, for the broadest and most positive impact, this needs to happen while embracing stakeholder capitalism, and a deeper sense of purpose, including focus on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. And this also needs to happen with a more diverse workforce that’s migrating to hybrid ways of working, capturing the flexibility and efficiency of remote interaction while regaining the value of in-person teaming.

The totality of this change has implications for all organizations, including companies like Bain, and for all individuals. These waves will extend beyond the next 12 months, but as the New Year rings in, it’s a good time to reaffirm our commitments to playing a role in advancing these changes.

As a firm, Bain will continue to deepen and build our capabilities in digital and analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and enterprise technology. We’re building that into everything we do, the companies we acquire and the investments we make to help our clients reach their full potential. ESG is an equal priority. We’re folding this into core strategy and all of our solutions. We remain dedicated to social impact and progress toward our carbon and diversity commitments. We’ll deliver this with the best elements of virtual work while retaining what has earned us awards as a Best Place to Work for over a decade. We’ll work from home, from the office, from clients. We’ll work sustainably, responsibly, with purpose, with the best technology, as one team.

For me personally, I know I need to keep advancing my own learning and development on digital. Some of the advances will be through self-learning. Some will be via coaching from next-generation talent.?I’ll keep diversity top of mind as I build teams that reflect diversity across gender, race, and generation, as well as geography, skill sets, and more. I resolve to role model sustainability in my personal and professional life, with hybrid work that embraces the value of meeting with people and teams in person while maintaining limits to help work toward a sustainable planet.

Progress is powerful and possible in 2022.

Wishing you a Happy New Year.